The cliche is that people can’t escape the gangs and violence of East Los Angeles, says Toronto Blue Jays pitching ace Ricky Romero over shots of hardscrabble streets and rough-looking characters.
The statement is made in a new Nike ad, called “Los Fearless,” a 94-second spot that is the latest sign that the 26-year-old has not only left the dangers of his old neighbourhood far behind, but arrived as a big-league star.
Yet for Romero, it’s not the status the ad bestows as much as the message that it delivers that really matters. He made the right choices, pursued a goal relentlessly and carved out a better life, and if he can do it, he wants others to believe they can, too.
“I wanted for people to realize that there is someone out of there and that if you work hard, you put your mind to something, anything is possible,” Romero said today. “I’m hoping that a lot of kids from out there get to see this commercial, and I can serve as an influence.
“I always wondered what it would be like to be a role model. I always had my role models and athletes I looked up to, and to be in this position, an athlete little kids and even young adults look up to, it’s something you embrace. For me, I love it.”
The sixth overall pick in 2005, Romero had anything but a smooth ride to the majors including injuries and long stints in the minor leagues. But with Shaun Marcum dealt over the winter, he’s now set to take over as staff ace and viewed as a pitcher with huge potential.
Nike sees it too, since the sportswear giant doesn’t feature just anybody in its ads.
“When I see that commercial, I’m happy because he finally got the respect and finally got to the status he’s been working toward his entire career,” said Jay catcher J.P. Arencibia.
“He works harder than just about anyone, so for me, it’s cool to see him get there.”
The work ethic comes from his parents.
Ricardo, a truck driver, and Sandra, a school bus driver, “can be sicker than anything and they still get up and go to work,” according to their son. And they still work now, while raising Romero’s three younger siblings, despite the accomplishments of their eldest.
Growing up in a neighbourhood filled with gangs and crime, Romero said that he never “even sniffed going toward that direction.” Instead, he just heard about tale after tale of violence felling those around him.
He hopes the Nike ad will take his positive message even further. He gets a kick out of having his own spot, too.
“I still can’t even believe it,” said Romero. “It’s still kind of surreal, but at the same time, I’ve worked hard and hopefully this is just the beginning of something good.”
