Bizarre & Myths ·
Sergio Romo Pulled Down His Pants During an Umpire’s Inspection
During Oakland’s June 22, 2021 game against Texas, the reliever responded to a foreign-substance check with an unusual display. Manager Bob Melvin called him playful—and said it would not happen again.
Sergio Romo had finished pitching the seventh inning when an umpire called him over for a foreign-substance inspection. The Oakland Athletics reliever tossed his glove and hat to the ground, removed his belt and pulled down his pants. It was June 22, 2021, during Oakland’s game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.
Major League Baseball had instructed umpires to routinely inspect pitchers’ gloves, hats, belts and hands. Romo went beyond what the check required as he came off the field.
The gesture was conspicuous; its meaning was less certain. Sporting News described Romo as appearing annoyed and reported that the broadcast called him “heated.” But the umpire checking him, Dan Iassogna, smiled. Oakland manager Bob Melvin offered another reading afterward: “He’s a playful guy,” he said. “I don’t think he meant anything by it.”
Romo had allowed a home run to Eli White during the inning. Oakland starter Cole Irvin offered his own interpretation: “He gave up a home run ... I think he just acted on his emotions.” Oakland won 13–6.
Melvin also praised the people conducting the searches. “I will credit the umpires with the way they’ve handled this, they’ve been fantastic in it,” he said. “Try to make light of it, smile with guys and do it quickly.”
The manager could describe Romo as playful without endorsing a repeat. His limit was brief: “That won’t happen again.”