Red Sox Memories: What happened to these 1986 players?

Ed Romero is in the news again in connection with the Red Sox since he is the father of Eddie Romero who is now assistant GM for the Red Sox. Ed Senior started his baseball journey as a 19-year-old with the Milwaukee Brewers – a journey that would go to Boston, Atlanta, and finally Detroit.

Romero was never a regular – a classic utility player who only twice in a 12-year career topped 100+ games. One of those seasons was 1986 when Romero took the field for 100 games hitting just .210. Romero – traded to Boston by the Brewers for Mark Clear – played just about anywhere needed in his four years with the team including an extended stint at shortstop in 1986.

That, of course, leads back to Owen in the first slide. The hole in 1986 was at short.

Romero’s contribution in the playoffs was rather undramatic as he went hitless in five at-bats. In August of 1989 a roster move was made and Romero was released and signed by the Braves before being shipped a few weeks later back to his career starting point in Milwaukee and then to Detroit in 1990 where the career curtain came down.

Being on the bench for 12 years a player picks up the nuances of handing game situations and managerial style. Romero became utility in another department as a manager, coach, and instructor with several organizations – even as a bench coach for the Astros. Ed may not have taken over the MLB hot seat, but his lessons seemed to have culminated in his son’s advancement.