Team Italy and Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano was chosen as the recipient of the Tip O'Neill Award, which is presented by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and given handed to the Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball's highest ideals.
Jordan Romano pitched for Team Italy in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and is slated to serve as Azzurri manager Mike Piazza's closer in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was selected by Toronto in the 10th round of the 2014 MLB draft and made his Major League debut for the Blue Jays in 2019.
The Markham, Ontario native saved 36 games for the Toronto Blue Jays and was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game in 2022. In 63 appearances this past season, the 29-year-old right-handed hurler recorded a 2.11 ERA and held opponents to an impressive .190 batting average. Jordan Romano beat out Toronto teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cleveland pitcher Cal Quantrill for the 2022 Tip O'Neill Award. Montreal-born Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the award last year.
Jordan Romano said, "This is really special to win this award. I've followed the award over the years and I have a lot of respect for the previous winners. It will be great to have my name on the trophy alongside their names." The Tip O'Neill Award is named after James (Tip) O'Neill, a Woodstock, Ontario native who was one of Canadian baseball's first stars.
Forza Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Jordan Roman pitching for Team Italy in the 2017 World Baseball Classic by MG-Oldmanagency)
