Dutch Romberger
From BR Bullpen
Allen Isaiah Romberger
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut May 31, 1954
- Final Game August 1, 1954
- Born May 26, 1927 in Klingerstown, PA USA
- Died May 26, 1983 in Weikert, PA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Dutch Romberger would spend three years (1945-1947), during the tail-end of World War II, in the United States Army in the European Theater of Operations as a Interpreter. His Pennsylvania Dutch background allowed him to understand the German language and helped in the process of communications with the German soldiers and civilians.
After his mustering out was finished "Dutch" would sign as an amateur free agent with the Philadelphia Athletics before the 1948 season. The right-hander would start his pro career with the Portsmouth Athletics of the Ohio-Indiana League this season with a 10-6 record, appearing in 40 games. He was right back with the same club in 1949 with a 19-6 record and a 2.03 ERA while pitching 217 innings, helping his club win the O-I Pennant and he was chosen for the All-Star Team.
"Dutch" would spend the next five seasons (1950-1954) working his way up the minor league ladder, having two double digit win years in '51-'52 with the Lincoln Athletics of the class A Western League and was going well with the Columbus Jets of the AAA International League when in late May of 1955 he got the call to come to Municipal Stadium.
"Dutch" made his major league debut on May 31, 1955 and apparently had more success in speaking the German language than he did opposing major league hitters. He had the sobering experience of allowing 16 runs and 28 base hits in 16 innings of work in 10 relief appearances. He split two decisions and had an ERA of 11.49. This was it for "Dutch" in the big leagues and he went back to Columbus in early August and finished out the year with a 7-4 record and a 2.28 ERA for the Jets.
Romberger would drop back to the minors in 1956 where he went just 2-1 for the Toronto Maple Leafs in '56 but did come back strong with an 18-5 record and a 2.48 ERA for the sixth place Little Rock Travelers of the Southern Association in 1958, barely missing the league high in wins and ERA. "Dutch" would finish up his pro baseball career in 1961, going 4-1 in 37 games for the Shreveport Sports and wind up his 13 year minor league run with 111 wins and 72 losses with a 3.95 ERA while pitching 1,476 innings.
After baseball Romberger returned to Weikert, PA where he owned and managed the Klingerstown Hotel until his death on his 56th birthday on May 26, 1983.
[edit] Sources
