sport news Pitch clock violation ruins Sergio Romo's retirement game with the Giants trends now MLB's new pitch clock strikes again! Sergio Romo's final curtain call with the Giants starts on a sour note as the reliever is called for a time violation for taking too long over his first throw By Alastair Talbot For Dailymail.Com Published: 22:48 BST, 28 March 2023 | Updated: 22:59 BST, 28 March 2023 Viewcomments Sergio Romo's retirement game with the San Francisco Giants took an awkward turn when the three-time World Series champion was called for a pitch clock violation before throwing his first pitch. The 40-year-old returned to Oracle Park to pitch in one last exhibition game against the A's on Monday, entering the outfield to a rousing ovation from Giants fans in the seventh inning. However, his triumphant entrance swiftly turned sour as his first batter was awarded a ball because Romo took longer than 15 seconds to pitch. A chorus of boos could soon be heard immediately after the umpire's call, as the crowd voiced its displeasure at the game's officiating, with the score in favor of the Athletics (11-2). You could hardly blame Romo for forgetting about perhaps the biggest change to professional baseball in recent history. The 2013 All-Star is part of a rare breed of pitchers who played in a time when there was no pitch clock, which MLB began to experiment in league games starting in 2014. Ever popular with the home fans, Romo wore a special hat in his last Giants outing. All during spring training, every time a kid asked for an autograph, he'd have them sign his cap. Tony Romo, 40, violated the pitch clock's 15 seconds against the Oakland Athletics on Monday Romo came onto the mound in the seventh inning, with the score 11-2 in favor of the Athletics Sergio Romo is playing in an exhibition game at Oracle Park tonight so he can retire as a member of the Giants.After Romo entered to an ovation, his first batter was awarded a ball because he took too long to throw the pitch pic.twitter.com/sen7aSbBJk — Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 28, 2023 Romo played nine seasons (2008-16) in the Bay, winning three World Series at Oracle Park 'If this is was the last hat I was going to wear in the big leagues ... I figured it would be nice to not go in there alone,' he told the Associated Press pregame. Romo played 15 seasons for eight different organizations, including the Athletics, spending his initial nine years with the Giants. The reliever shared a goodbye note Monday to San Francisco on The Players' Tribune. 'Dear San Francisco, Tonight I get to do something one last time — something that's been one of the biggest honors of my whole life: I get to put on a Giants jersey. And before I go do that, I just wanted to write this letter, and share some thoughts with you all. Thanks for reading,' he said. On Sunday in Oakland, Romo greeted fans and fist-bumped youngsters as he made his farewell rounds. On his Instagram account, the ever-creative Romo posted a photo of himself holding a sign similar to those of students on the first day of school but signifying his last day in the majors. Romo grew up in Brawley, California, about 125 miles east of San Diego and some 30 miles north of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. He was a 2013 All-Star for the Giants and posted a career record of 42-36 with a 3.21 ERA and 137 saves over 821 appearances spanning 722 2/3 innings. Last year, he pitched a combined 23 games for Seattle and Toronto. He also played for the Dodgers, Tampa Bay, Miami and Minnesota. A 28th-round draft pick by San Francisco in 2005 out of Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, Romo was a key member of manager Bruce Bochy's stellar bullpen soon after making his big league debut in 2008. Romo tips his cap and greets fans after the final relief appearance of his career on Monday The 2013 All Star acknowledges the crowd after walking off the mound after his final outing On his Instagram account on Sunday, Romo posted a photo of himself holding a sign similar to those of students on the first day of school but signifying his last day in the majors Romo helped the Giants win every-other-year titles in 2010, '12 and '14 — the 2010 team capturing the franchise's first championship since 1954 and first in San Francisco since moving West in 1958. Romo excelled in those games, posting a 0.00 ERA and three saves in six World Series appearances. And long after those October highlights, Romo wound up on the very same mound for the last time, finishing up on March night. 'What an experience,' he told the Associated Press. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility