The Jersey in the Closet: Ivran Romero, Fathers, Sons, and Signs

[Jamie Cameron]

Baseball stories aren’t always about fathers and sons, but this one is.

Image courtesy of Ivran Romero

When I asked Ivran Romero about his earliest baseball memories, his response was immediate.

"They all include my father; he taught me the game."

Romero, 22, is a right-handed pitcher and graduate of the University of San Diego. He’s also one of the newest members of the Minnesota Twins organization, having signed as an undrafted free agent on Jul. 25. Romero’s path to the Twins organization has been unique, haunting, and beautiful.

The story doesn’t start with Ivran. It starts with his father, Felipe, in the small western city of Ures, in the state of Sonora, on the west side of Mexico. Felipe grew up the youngest of five siblings to a single mother. He came from very little. Life changed when he met Ivet, his eventual wife.

The Romeros emigrated to Phoenix, before Ivran’s sister Giselle was born. When Ivran was in eighth grade, his family was on the move again—this time, to San Diego, where Giselle attended college at the University of San Diego.

When Ivran showed an aptitude for baseball, Felipe, whom Ivran describes as ‘a baseball fanatic,’ did everything he could to ensure his son could play consistently at the highest level his talent would allow him.

"My father didn’t just teach me how to throw and how to hit,” the younger Romero said. "He taught me the mental side of the game. He did the impossible to make sure I could play at a high level.”

Felipe worked long hours to support his son’s baseball dreams. He built him a makeshift batting cage in their backyard with scrap from his labor jobs. He found Ivran a giant tractor tire that he would practice hitting against. He flipped Ivran bottle caps to hit with a stick, to simulate how breaking pitches would move. All this Felipe fit in, while often working from 2:00 am to 7:00 pm to support his family. Felipe Romero spent a lot of baseball hours with his son.

Ivran emerged as a standout baseball player in his sophomore year of high school. After starting out as a shortstop and third baseman, he began to focus on the mound, performing well, racking up accolades and accomplishments. In the summer of his junior year, he was offered a scholarship by the University of San Diego.

"It was a no-brainer," Romero said. As you might imagine, Felipe was there, every step of the way. "He was known at San Diego as the most energetic family member and fan in the stands. He gave everyone a high-five and a hug. He approached everyone with love and respect."

In Romero’s final season at San Diego, things started to click. His fastball ticked up a few miles per hour, and the results were what he was looking for. Pitching mostly in relief, Romero posted 46 1/3 innings in 2024, managing a 3.11 ERA, striking out 60 and walking just 18 batters. It got him noticed.

"I started getting more calls from teams (ahead of the draft)," Romero recalled. "It was amazing to receive that attention."

What should have been the most exciting few weeks of Ivran’s life, leading up to the Draft, ended up turning his life upside down. The week of Jun. 24, Felipe started experiencing chest pains. After checking into a local hospital, he received stent procedures to address blocked arteries around his heart.

The elder Romero was released from the hospital on Wed., Jun. 26, with his medical team satisfied that he was in good shape after preventative care. He passed away of a sudden heart attack on Jun. 29, just 17 days before his son would realize his lifelong baseball dream. Ivran’s best friend was gone. The Romero family was devastated. When I asked Ivran if he could summarize his father’s impact on his life, he spoke with a tone of conviction, pride, and deep love.

"My father had the most infectious smile, the craziest laugh,” the son said. “He accepted everyone.

"He was so full of discipline, love, and respect for everyone and everything around him. He gave his all to everything he did. He thrived when his back was against the wall; it’s the same for me."

As the draft approached, Romero admits, "the anxiety kicked in." He sat with his mother, his sister, and a picture of his late father throughout Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft, waiting to hear his name called. Romero described a growing sense of tension as each round passed on Day 3.

Near the end of the Draft, Ivet Romero said aloud: "Felipe, if you are really here with us, show us a sign." The 20th round came and went, and Romero was not selected.

A few minutes later, though, the phone rang. It was John Leavitt, a long-time Twins area scout. He told Romero the organization would love for him to be a Minnesota Twin. Another no-brainer. 

"A couple of seconds later, I was crying and missing my dad," Romero said.

Later that day, Felipe Romero was occupying Ivran’s thoughts. The son spent some time looking through his father’s baseball wardrobe, and spotted something out of place. 

"My father was a die-hard Yankees fan,” Ivran said. “His entire closet was Yankees hats, shirts, and jerseys."

There was all that, plus plenty of University of San Diego gear. Then there was one other piece. It was a baseball jersey with pinstripes, but not Yankees ones. The stripes were a bit lighter blue, and the script across the front read ‘Twins’.

"If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is," Romero said.

When I asked what the Minnesota Twins are getting in Ivran Romero, he paused, considering the question for a beat. 

"They are getting a dedicated, disciplined, hard-working person, who loves to play the game and loves to be around the game,” he said at last. “I enjoy every second of the ride. Off the field, I try to follow my father's footsteps and treat everyone with the love and respect that they deserve."

In those few minutes between the close of the draft and the call from Leavitt, it was darkly possible that the Romero family’s baseball story was over. Instead, a new chapter is beginning, and while Felipe will not be able to embrace his son after his first professional outing, he’s still an indispensable, irremovable part of the story.

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[Dman]

Wow that was great writing and a wonderful story to share!  Thanks!

Makes me hope all the harder that this kid can make it all the way.

[Jamie Cameron]

A few people asked about this on social media etc. so sharing here in the comments for a tangible way to help the Romero family if you are so moved.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-felipe-romeros-family

[Dman]

1 minute ago, Jamie Cameron said:

A few people asked about this on social media etc. so sharing here in the comments for a tangible way to help the Romero family if you are so moved.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-felipe-romeros-family

Thanks!  Gotta say man that was pretty much masterpiece writing IMO.  You had me choked up reading that.

[Jamie Cameron]

19 minutes ago, Dman said:

Thanks!  Gotta say man that was pretty much masterpiece writing IMO.  You had me choked up reading that.

Thanks so much, really appreciate it. Got a great editor :) Ivran's story was pretty amazing.

[DocBauer]

A tremendous story. Joyful, sad,  touching, and even hopeful.

I'd really be interested in the background of that Twins jersey.

I'll be watching this kid closely and rooting as hard for him as anyone in the system.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story with us.

[Whitey333]

Very nice and refreshing story. Well written.  I hope he does well and his dreams continue to be filled.

[Jim Bruckelmyer]

Thank you for the story, I can’t wait to follow his journey through baseball. Well done. 

[jaimedude]

7 hours ago, Jim Bruckelmyer said:

Thank you for the story, I can’t wait to follow his journey through baseball. Well done. 

Couldn't agree more, what a great read! I will be pulling for Mr.  Romero to make it. With his Dad looking over him, I think he will. 

[Doctor Wu]

As others have written, this was a very well-written article and incredibly moving. Best of luck to this young man. Welcome to the Twins, Ivran!

[Fatbat]

What a great kid from a great family!  He will undoubtedly out work everyone on his way to the show.