Ryan Verdugo, former Royals pitcher, throws first perfect game in CPBL history

Ryan Verdugo, a former major league pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, pitched the first perfect game in Chinese Professional Baseball League history Saturday, October 6, 2018, with a 1-0 victory over the Chinatrust Brothers.

Ryan Verdugo / CPBL

Verdugo was a San Francisco Giants ninth-round draft pick in the 2008 draft, and make one appearance with the Royals in 2012. He continued to pitch in the minor leagues, last reaching Triple-A in 2015. He spent the next two seasons in the Mexican League before signing with the Uni-Lions in February.

He has 8-4 record in 26 starts and an ERA of 4.31 for the Uni-Lions in 2018.

MUST C!!! The first perfect game in CPBL. Ryan Verdugo breaks the 29-year-long record. #CPBL #UniLions #perfectgame#ウルトラマン#ultraman pic.twitter.com/HKurFXMsku

— CPBL 中華職棒 (@CPBL) October 7, 2018

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Rare footage of David Cone pitching in the 1986 Puerto Rican Winter League All-Star Game

Fresh off of his rookie season with the Kansas City Royals, David Cone went to the Puerto Rican Winter League (Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente) to further hone his skills. By the end of the winter season, Cone was a champion, saving Game 6 of the Caribbean Series for Caguas en route to their title.

David Cone in the 1986 LBPPR All-Star Game / Joe Towers

Joe Towers (@joetowerscards) recently posted footage of Cone pitching in the LBPPR All-Star game, flashing the eventual brilliance that led him to five World Series championships and the 1994 American League Cy Young Award. Only a few short months after this appearance, the Royals traded Cone to the New York Mets, which put him right in the middle of the baseball spotlight for the incumbent World Series champs.

David Cone All Star in Winter Ball Puerto Rico 1986 https://t.co/9BVp4uPEpP pic.twitter.com/BB3jJwKcLv

— Baseball Cards Daily (@JoetowersCards) July 24, 2018

Click here to read more about David Cone and his later brush with baseball immortality.

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2015 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball is a treat for the World Series

Topps’ 2015 Heritage High Number baseball card set is right on time for the World Series. As the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals square off to determine this year’s World Champion, collectors can add to their excitement with this year’s update to the classic Topps series that salutes the old and the new.
Styled in the design of the 1966 Topps set, the 2015 High Number set includes rookie cards for some of the top emerging talent in this year’s postseason.

2015 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball / Topps

Collectors will appreciate the RC designation for the likes of Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, Steven Matz, and Noah Snydergaard in this year’s High Number edition. In addition to the aforementioned rookies, Topps covered many of the late season moves by major league clubs, giving fans the opportunity to get cards of the newest members of their favorite franchise in uniform.

Click here to read the full review of the 2015 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball Card series.

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For ex-major leaguer Bob Tufts, the 2014 World Series was one of dual devotions

Former major league pitcher Bob Tufts watched the 2014 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants with great anticipation as his two former clubs squared off in what was an epic series. While it has been over 30 years since he threw a pitch professionally, Tufts still follows the game closely and is not shy about sharing his opinions on the current state of the sport.

I recently caught up with the Princeton graduate to talk about his feeling on this year's World Series and where he made his allegiances as the playoffs progressed.

"World Series tugs at both sides for Forest Hills resident."- TimesLedger.com

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George Washington's Mike Antonio is their highest draft pick since Manny Ramirez

With the 86th selection in the 2010 MLB draft, the Kansas City Royals selected George Washington High School shortstop Mike Antonio, making him the highest pick since Manny Ramirez was drafted 13th overall in 1991. To read more about Antonio and see video of him playing, click here.

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