In the Eastern League, though, he had to earn that respect back. He did so by knocking a two-run single after an intentional walk in a June game. He also hit a two run home run, The Day wrote.
"That's how I hit 'em when I hit 'em last year," Romano told The Day afterward. "Tonight I hit the ball like I did last year. Last year nobody would have walked someone to get to me."
Romano hit 'em hard that day, but he couldn't keep it up. That was his first year at AA. He ended up seeing AAA briefly the next year, but he never saw the majors.
Romano's career began in 1989, taken by the Yankees in the eighth round of the draft out of Hillsborough High School in Florida.
Romano played his first year in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He hit .215 in 51 games. He then played 1990 between short-season Oneonta and single-A Greensboro. He hit .221 that year.
He returned to Greensboro in 1991, then moved to high-A Fort Lauderdale in 1992. His bat, though, didn't heat up until 1993, back at Greensboro. He hit .282 there, with seven home runs.
He then arrived at high-A Tampa. He hit a career-high .303 and 20 home runs, another career high. One of his home runs came in a July game. He also hit a double.
His move to AA Norwich in 1995 saw his average drop back down. He ended at .246. He also hit seven home runs.
He lost some time mid-season to a back injury suffered in a car accident after a dizzy spell, The Day wrote. He came back and hit a game-winning single.
Romano started 1996 between AA Norwich and AAA Columbus. He's also recorded as playing a game with the Red Sox at AA Trenton. He played just 49 games on the year.
Romano played in three more seasons. He played 1997 at high-A St. Petersburg, then 1998 at high-A Modesto. He isn't recorded as playing in 1999. His final season came in 2000 at independent Feather River in the Western League.
- New London Day, June 21, 1995: Bowie's lack of respect helps motivate Romano
- New London Day, Aug. 24, 1995: Romano has new respect for position
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