CLEVELAND — It was only around nine years ago that Ryan Bergert was heading up to Cleveland, as a fan, for a watch party at Progressive Field during the 2016 World Series, which at that time had turned to Chicago for Games 3, 4 and 5.

He was 16 years old at the time. Now 25, Bergert again headed to Progressive Field on Sept. 8, but in a slightly different capacity — he had a better view of the game, too.

Bergert, a GlenOak grad who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres and traded to Kansas City roughly six weeks ago, t ook the mound as the Royals' starting pitcher against the Guardians . Instead of a 55-minute trip up I-77 in the family car, it was a short bus trip from the team hotel in downtown Cleveland.

It was his first time pitch

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