VIDEO: Former MLB Outfielder Alex Romero Attacks Catcher With Bat in Venezuelan Winter League Brawl
By Michael Luciano
Your garden variety, run-of-the-mill Venezuelan Winter League game got extremely violent in a matter of seconds. In a matchup between Aguilas del Zulia and Caribes de Anzoátegui, former Minnesota Twins top prospect Alex Romero, who spent two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks a decade ago before crashing out of the MLB, was hit by a pitch. Rather than take his base, Romero spun around and used his bat as a weapon to assault catcher Gabriel Lino, starting a wild melee.
Former big leaguer Alex Romero swings a bat at former @crosscutters catcher Gabriel Lino during a tense game in the Venezuelan Winter League in which the benches had already emptied once before this pic.twitter.com/aOdEuU2w1h
— Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) January 9, 2020
Lino didn't appear to be seriously injured despite the fact that Romero managed to connect on at least a few swings.
A half-dozen players ended up ejected after this, including Minnesota Twins fan favorite Willians Astudillo, who was playing first base at the time. Right after play resumed, pitcher Alex Torres hit the next batter, showing tempers haven't exactly cooled down.
Yup, it's 'that' Alex Romero... former #MNTwins prospect... He was my #10 Twins prospect before the 2007 season... He was pretty good in the minor leagues with a bat in his hand. This is not a good example of that. Willians Astudillo also ejected from this game... https://t.co/N63rDWQIY1
— Seth Stohs (@SethTweets) January 9, 2020
Romero probably should be dealt a lengthy suspension or a potential ban after this disgusting act. As fun as winter ball can be sometimes, there is an ugly side to these competitions.