Jordan Romano climbs charts among Blue Jays’ most successful closers

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What is it about normally mild-mannered Jordan Romano that turns the Blue Jays reliever into one of the most intense closers in the game?

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Manager John Schneider has been around the Markham, Ont. native long enough to have a pretty good idea.

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“A lot of it is his personality,” Schneider said of Romano, who is climbing the charts towards being one of the most reliable closers in club history.

“Jordy is a bit of an adrenaline junkie and that’s a good thing for that role. And when you’ve done it (the reliever’s role), it’s that much easier. I think a lot of it comes down to the person and not just the pitcher.”

Romano is becoming famous for his fiery demeanour on the mound, a look enhanced by dousing himself in water to snap into character.

It’s working rather well for the 31-year-old, who in Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers recorded his fourth save of the season and 101st of his career. The latter is the notable number as it allowed him to surpass Billy Koch and into fourth in club history, leaving Romano just three behind Roberto Osuna (104) and Duane Ward (121.) Like all Jays relievers to follow, Romano has a long way to go to catch Tom (the Terminator) Henke’s club-record 217.

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But given that when Schneider was managing Romano at double-A New Hampshire in 2018 he was overseeing a struggling starter, it’s been an impressive career path that has followed as Romano has become a star bringing the heat for his hometown team.

“It’s phenomenal,” Schneider said. “Saves are hard. I think you have to be wired a certain way and have water and sweat all over yourself at the same time.

“I think watching him as a starter in the minor leagues and then seeing him as a bullpen arm … this is the best possible outcome as a closer who is pretty damn reliable.”

Schneider said that despite that intense persona Romano brings to the mound in his high-leverage assignments, he somehow manages to channel it in the right direction.

“A lot of credit goes to him for being able to keep himself centred in those pressure situations,” Schneider said of Romano, who has converted 17 of his 18 save situations at the Rogers Centre dating back to last season. “I’m just thrilled for him (surpassing Koch.) It’s pretty cool.”

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