Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Star Plays Pivotal Role in Perfect Game

Houston Astros catcher Martín Maldonado played a crucial role in Puerto Rico's historical perfect game against Israel in the World Baseball Classic.

Kade Kistner

Houston Astros Star Plays Pivotal Role in Perfect Game
Houston Astros Star Plays Pivotal Role in Perfect Game /
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Few catchers get to say they called a perfect game. Even fewer get to say they called a perfect game in the World Baseball Classic. In fact, that honor is held by one man - Houston Astros star Martín Maldonado.

On Monday he was behind the plate for Team Puerto Rico as they faced Team Israel in the group stages of the World Baseball Classic. Puerto Rico mercy-ruled Israel in right innings in 10-0 fashion.

But the most impressive part of the entire afternoon was Puerto Rico's pitching staff as they threw the first perfect game in the World Baseball Classic's history.

As with any no-hitter or perfect game, much of the success is placed at the pitcher or pitching staff's feet. However, the preparation and game calling from the catcher plays an incredibly important part in helping see the feat through.

"This is what we can do. We know about the importance of these games," Maldonado said. "I have one World Series, and to me this is one of the best tournaments that I have played in my career."

It was an important moment for Maldonado who is getting to represent his country in a worldwide tournament. As he enters the twilight of his career, this perfect game may very well go down as one of the highlights, World Series championships included.

What a great moment for one of the game's most highly decorated and celebrated catchers. 

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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