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Bob Romby

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Robert Lee Romby, born December 15th, 19181 2 in Shreveport, LA,3 was a Negro League baseball player from 1946-1950. He lived much of his life in El Dorado, AR.

Biography

Romby was the son of Fred4 and Rosie Lee Romby.5 Though born in Shreveport, LA, Romby moved to El Dorado, AR by 1930.6

Romby had a fairly short but successful career playing at the tops ranks of Negro Baseball. His career began in 1937 with the local El Dorado Black Lions. Before entering the U.S. Army during World War II, Romby may also have played with the Cincinnati Buckeyes.7

After his discharge from the Army, Romby joined the 1946 Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League as a lefthanded pitcher. At the conclusion of his rookie season, Romby traveled to Puerto Rico to play with the Aguadilla Tiburones during the offseason. He return to the Elite Giants in 1947 and performed well, going 8-8 with a league-leading 107 strikeouts. In July, he was selected to play for the East team in the annual East-West all-star classic series. In the first of the two-game series, Romby went 0 for 1 in a solo pinch-hit appearance.8 In the second, he again appeared as a pinch-hitter, singling in his only at-bat.9

After spending another winter in Puerto Rico with the Aguadilla Tiburones, Romby went 8-5 for Baltimore in 1948. He was again selected to play in the East-West classic series, but did not appear in either game.10 He returned to Puerto Rico one final time during the 1948-1949 offseason, playing with the San Juan Senadores. Afterward, Romby went 13-7 with a 3.50 for Baltimore, winner of the 1949 Negro American League pennant. In his final season with the Elite Giants in 1950, Romby went 0-4 with a 7.20 ERA in four games on the mound, but hit .381 in 30 games after he was converted to first base.

In the early 1950s, Romby played with the Yokeley All-Stars in Baltimore. Romby died on November 25th, 2004 in Farmville, VA. He was buried in Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Dillwyn, VA.11

Excerpts

"ROBERT L. ROMBY formerly of Baltimore, MD died November 25 in Farmville, Va. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, at 1 P.M. from The Reid's Funeral Home, Highway 15-North, Dillwyn, VA with interment in Zion Baptist Church Cemetery of Dillwyn."12

Stats

Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.