Giants closer Sergio Romo has run-in with TSA officers at Las Vegas airport

January 3, 2013 at 4:56 p.m.

San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo had some recent travel troubles after a trip to Las Vegas over the New Year's holiday.

We're not talking about lost luggage or a severe lack of legroom, either. As first reported by TMZ, Romo was handcuffed in Sin City's airport after a run-in with TSA workers on New Year's Day. The Associated Press later reported that Romo was facing a misdemeanor summons for violating airport rules after being detained by authorities at McCarran International Airport.

From the AP:

The federal Transportation Security Administration issued a statement Thursday saying Romo failed to provide proper identification at a document checkpoint and engaged in a dispute with TSA officers about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Officer Jose Hernandez said Las Vegas police issued the 29-year-old Romo a summons to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court. His court date wasn't immediately available.

Hey, as Romo's famous World Series t-shirt says, he just looks illegal!

It's hard to say what happened here. It's certainly not hard to lose one's license while partying on the Las Vegas strip and nothing — not even the fame accrued by recording the final out of that year's World Series — will pass as an adequate substitute.

[Also: Scott Boras faces stiff challenge from MLB's new rules on free agency]

Might a cynic wonder if Romo's skin tone and beard length had anything to do with his reported stop and subsequent reaction? Sure, but that's only speculation. What's being reported is that Romo did not have an ID — something that people of any color or creed must produce before flying.

Also, while TSA officers can be an unreasonable sort, it's also worth nothing that Romo can be prickly himself at times. Anyone who saw him brashly fend off reporters in what was otherwise a joyous World Series clubhouse last October — this writer included — can attest to this.

For his part, Romo issued a statement through the Giants on Thursday night:

“I would like to sincerely apologize about the recent events at the Las Vegas airport which brought negative attention to the San Francisco Giants organization and its fans. I love and respect the Giants, my teammates and our fans and promise to conduct myself in the future in the "San Francisco Giants Way."

TMZ cited authorities saying the pitcher was "under the influence" at the time of the incident and Romo certainly wouldn't be the first nor the last to show up for a flight out of Vegas while still feeling the aftereffects from the night before.

But to all of those who might come after him, a word to the wise: Remember your driver's license before you hit security — and remember to bite your tongue if you happen to forget.

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