Kevin Rhomberg
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Kevin Rhomberg was born on November 22, 1955, in Dubuque, Iowa. He was selected by the Cleveland Indians of the American League in the 14th round of the 1977 amateur draft and made his Major League Baseball debut on September 1, 1982, hitting a homerun in his first at bat (something that not very many players have accomplished). While Rhomberg's career consisted of just 41 games (his final game was on June 5, 1984) he batted an impressive .383 with an on base percentage of .423. Not known for his defense, Rhomberg was considered primarily an outfielder, although he did log one start each at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base during his brief career.
In addition to being the last Dubuque, IA, born player to make it to the Major Leagues, Rhomberg is also remembered for his compulsive behavior with regard to being touched. If any person (or thing) touched Rhomberg, he made it a mission to touch that person back, no matter what the circumstances. Rick Sutcliffe once reached under a bathroom stall and touched Rhomberg on the toe. Rhomberg, who had no idea who had touched him, went through the clubhouse and touched every single player and personnel member. [1]
One time, a player tagged Rhomberg with a baseball and then threw the ball out of the stadium. Afterwards, Rhomberg engaged in a two-hour frantic search to find the baseball and touch it. If tagged while on base, Rhomberg would wait until the end of the inning, and then chase down the infielder and touch him. [2]
