The fireballing Mendez, who threw a 10-inning perfect game in 1909 while a member of the Cuban Stars, is considered the first internationally known Cuban baseball star. For much of his career, which spanned nearly 20 years (1908-26), he was known as the ‘‘Black Diamond’’, for his dark complexion and brilliant results. Toward the end of his career, he went on to become player-manager in Kansas City and led the Monarchs to three consecutive National Negro League pennants, 1923-25.