John Romano – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

John Anthony Romano wrapped up a memorable ten-year run in Major League Baseball when he called it quits after the 1967 season. That stocky catcher from Hoboken, New Jersey, made a name for himself as one of the top power-hitting catchers of his time. He snagged four All-Star selections while suiting up for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Romano spent his last season as a backup catcher for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. That year closed out a career in which he slugged 129 home runs and drove in 417 runs over 905 games. He retired at just 32, ending a run where he’d helped the White Sox reach the 1959 American League pennant and anchored the Cleveland Indians’ lineup in the early ‘60s.

Romano’s journey started with him working out as a teenager with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He finished up with the Cardinals, and in between, he experienced the ups and downs of pro baseball during a fiercely competitive era. His story is about growing into a power hitter, learning from legendary catchers, and leaving a mark on the pitching staffs he worked with.

Early Life and Background

John Anthony Romano Jr. was born August 23, 1934, in Hoboken, New Jersey, into a family where baseball ran deep. He showed off his athletic skills and hitting talent early, breaking high school records that set him up for a shot at the pros.

Family and Childhood in Hoboken, New Jersey

John grew up in a baseball-loving family in Hoboken, a tiny city just over a square mile. His dad, John Sr., played semipro ball and worked as a longshoreman. Scouts once eyed him for pro baseball.

People called John Sr. “Cannonball” for his strong throwing arm. He’d catch in exhibition games against legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Still, he stuck with semipro ball since it paid better than the pros back then.

When Romano was a kid, his uncle started calling him “Honey.” The nickname stuck for life. He picked up his dad’s athletic ability and became a power hitter from a young age.

“I was a very good power hitter,” Romano once said. “It was born in me. My father was a catcher. He used to play semipro.”

The Romano family lived in a neighborhood where other big leaguers came from, too. Guys like Tom Carey, Bill Kunkel, and Leo Kiely all got coaching from Tony Calland, a semipro player who’d also faced Ruth and Gehrig.

High School Baseball Achievements

Romano went to Demarest High School in Hoboken. He followed his older brother Anthony, who had set the school batting record at .631.

Romano broke that record his senior year, hitting around .681, though he later admitted he wasn’t sure of the exact number. “My brother Anthony set a record at Demarest by hitting .631 and then I broke it by hitting something like .681 my senior year,” Romano said.

His standout high school play drew attention from pro scouts. Romano started working out with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field at just 15. Coach Clyde Sukeforth, who’d helped sign Jackie Robinson, noticed Romano’s potential and let him join batting practice.

“Clyde Sukeforth was a coach and he saw my potential,” Romano said. “Anytime we wanted to, my brother would drive us over and we would work out with Cal Abrams and Clem Labine, and other guys.”

Even though he had a connection to the Dodgers, Romano signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1954 at age 19.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

John Romano put together a solid 10-year MLB career from 1958 to 1967, mostly as a catcher for three teams. He got his start with the Chicago White Sox but found his best years with the Cleveland Indians, where he made four All-Star teams and became one of the top catchers of the era.

MLB Debut With the Chicago White Sox

Romano debuted in the majors on September 12, 1958, with the White Sox at age 24. He only played four games in that first call-up, mostly as the team sized him up.

In 1959, Romano got his first real taste of the big leagues. He played backup to Gold Glove catcher Sherm Lollar and hit .294 with five home runs and 25 RBIs in 53 games. Romano stood out as a pinch-hitter, going 8-for-13 in that role.

On May 3, 1959, he had his breakthrough. Manager Al Lopez ran out of pinch-hitters and sent Romano up against lefty Billy O’Dell. Romano smashed the second pitch into the upper deck for his first big league home run.

That homer earned him more at-bats against left-handed pitchers. Lopez would shift Lollar to first and put Romano behind the plate when facing lefties, giving him key experience on a pennant-winning team.

Trade to the Cleveland Indians

Heading into 1960, the White Sox had too many young players for too few roster spots. On December 6, 1959, they traded Romano, first baseman Norm Cash, and third baseman Bubba Phillips to the Cleveland Indians.

In return, the White Sox got outfielder Minnie Minoso, catcher Dick Brown, and pitchers Don Ferrarese and Jake Striker. This move turned out to be a big break for Romano. He finally got the chance to play regularly.

The Indians made Romano their main catcher. They liked his defense and saw real offensive promise, hoping he’d anchor their lineup for years.

Key Years With the Cleveland Indians

Romano’s years with Cleveland, from 1960 to 1964, were the highlight of his career. In 1960, as a regular starter, he hit .272 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs.

He broke out in 1961, earning his first All-Star nod. Romano hit a career-best .299 with 21 home runs and 80 RBIs. He finished eighth in the American League in batting average and set a Cleveland record for catchers with a 22-game hitting streak.

In 1962, Romano reached new heights, hitting 25 home runs and driving in 81 runs. He made his second All-Star team and posted a .479 slugging percentage, good for 10th in the league.

Romano especially valued making the All-Star team since players, not fans, voted. “Those guys are the ones that voted me in as the catcher,” he said. “Getting voted in by your peers was a big honor.”

He broke his hand in 1963 when a pitch hit him on May 26, which slowed him down. Still, the Indians counted on his leadership with their young pitchers, including future stars Sam McDowell and Tommy John.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

John Romano stood out as one of the top power-hitting catchers of his decade. He earned four All-Star selections and became the first catcher in Cleveland Indians history to hit 25 home runs in a season. His mix of offense and defense made him a rare talent, especially when most catchers got attention for their gloves, not their bats.

All-Star Selections and Honors

Romano made four All-Star teams in his career, three with the Indians (1961, 1962, 1964) and one with the White Sox (1965). Back then, players—not fans—voted for All-Stars.

“It wasn’t a popularity contest in those years,” Romano said. “Each ballplayer had one vote. Those guys are the ones that voted me in as the catcher.”

His 1961 All-Star year came after he hit .299 with 21 home runs and 80 RBIs. He finished eighth in the league in batting average and posted an .860 OPS, which put him 10th in the AL.

Romano also set a 22-game hitting streak in 1961, a Cleveland record for catchers that stood until Ray Fosse broke it in 1970. That streak showed just how consistent he could be at the plate.

20-Home Run Seasons

Romano had three seasons with 20 or more home runs, which was a big deal for catchers in the 1960s. He first did it in 1961 with 21 homers for Cleveland.

His best power year came in 1962, when he hit 25 home runs and drove in 81 runs. That made him the first Indians catcher to hit 25 homers in a season. His .479 slugging percentage placed him 10th in the league.

He hit 20 home runs again in 1964. Over his career, Romano finished with 129 home runs in 905 games, averaging a homer every seven games.

His power was even more impressive considering the pitcher-friendly era and the grind of catching. Romano’s ability to hit while managing the defense made him a valuable player for both the White Sox and Indians.

Final MLB Seasons and Retirement in 1967

Johnny Romano finished his career with a short stint on the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. He moved into a backup catcher role behind Tim McCarver, a big change from his prime years.

Trade to the St. Louis Cardinals

The White Sox traded Romano and minor leaguer Leland White to the Cardinals on December 14, 1966. In exchange, Chicago got Don Dennis and Walt Williams.

This trade sent Romano back to the National League for the first time. The Cardinals wanted a veteran backup behind their starting catcher.

Romano’s experience as a four-time All-Star appealed to the Cardinals. They counted on his defense and leadership, and his reputation for working well with pitchers was well known.

Role With the Cardinals

Romano backed up Tim McCarver in 1967. He saw very limited action, playing just 24 games all season.

His offense dropped off in this smaller role. Romano hit only .121 in his appearances, the lowest average of his career.

Even with the struggles at the plate, Romano still contributed to the team. The Cardinals won the 1967 National League pennant and took the World Series. Romano didn’t make the postseason roster for the playoffs or the Series.

McCarver handled most of the catching duties. Romano mostly gave McCarver a breather and offered advice to younger players.

Official Retirement Announcement

The Cardinals let Romano go on October 20, 1967, right after their World Series win. That move essentially ended his big league career at 33.

Romano decided not to try for another team. He made his retirement official after the release, closing out a ten-year career from 1958 to 1967.

He left the game with a .255 batting average, 129 home runs, and 417 RBIs over 905 games. Romano also posted a strong .990 fielding percentage as a catcher.

After baseball, Romano went back to New Jersey. He started off selling swimming pools, then worked for Bergen County offices through the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Career Statistics and Performance

John Romano put up some impressive numbers over his 10-year career. He hit .255 with 129 home runs and 417 RBIs across 905 games.

He stood out as one of the most reliable catchers of his era. Four All-Star selections show how much people respected his defensive skills behind the plate.

Batting Records and Highlights

Romano’s best offensive year came in 1961 with the Cleveland Indians. That season, he batted .299 with 21 home runs and 80 RBIs.

He played in 142 games that year and really became Cleveland’s go-to catcher. Romano’s power numbers stayed pretty steady during his prime.

From 1960 to 1965, he averaged 18 home runs each season. In 1962, he hit a career-high 25 home runs and drove in 81 runs for Cleveland.

Romano showed solid plate discipline. He drew 414 walks in his career and kept a strong .354 on-base percentage.

He struck out 485 times in 2,767 at-bats, which isn’t bad for a power hitter from that era. Romano’s journey started with the Chicago White Sox from 1958-1959.

In 1959, he hit .294 with 5 home runs in 53 games. He later returned to Chicago in 1965-1966, then wrapped up his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967.

Fielding and Defensive Prowess

Romano built his defensive reputation with a strong arm and sharp game-calling. In his peak 1960 season with Cleveland, he posted a .988 fielding percentage, handling 506 total chances and making just 6 errors.

He had his best defensive year in 1963, reaching a .993 fielding percentage as Cleveland’s catcher. In 1960, he threw out 36 would-be base stealers, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Injuries didn’t do him any favors. A broken finger in May 1963 messed with his batting grip and catching ability.

Romano admitted the injury bothered him “for several years after that, especially in cold weather.” He played multiple positions, including first base and left field.

Still, his main value always came from catching. Romano caught over 100 games in five different seasons, giving his teams some much-needed stability behind the plate.

Personal Life and Legacy

John Anthony Romano Jr. faced a big transition after retiring from professional baseball in 1967.

Even though his career lasted just 10 seasons, his four All-Star appearances as a catcher left a strong mark on baseball in the early 1960s.

Life After Baseball

After baseball, Romano moved into civilian life pretty smoothly. He worked in the swimming pool business during the 1970s and 1980s.

He also held a job with Bergen County in New Jersey around the same time. Romano married Irene, and the two eventually decided to move to Florida in the late 1990s.

Once he retired, Romano got really into flying radio-controlled model airplanes near his Florida home. That hobby let him keep working on things that took precision and skill, kind of like his baseball career.

He settled down in Naples, Florida, where he spent his later years. Even after moving, Romano never really lost touch with his New Jersey roots, having grown up in Hoboken.

Recognition and Memorials

John Romano’s baseball achievements put him among the top catchers in the American League during the early 1960s.

He made four All-Star teams, which really marked the high point of his pro career, at least in terms of official recognition.

Romano always seemed pretty proud of how he earned those All-Star nods. “Each ballplayer had one vote,” Romano said.

“Those guys are the ones that voted me in as the catcher. Getting voted in by your peers was a big honor.”

He left his mark on baseball history by taking part in one of only 13 triple plays in major league history where all outs were tag outs.

That odd and rare defensive play happened on September 27, 1959, while Romano played for the Chicago White Sox.

Romano died on February 24, 2019, in Naples, Florida, at age 84.

His career stats—129 home runs and a .255 batting average over 905 games—still tell the story of a solid, memorable career.