Royals Add Two Longtime Vets in Topolie and Burdett
GUELPH - The Guelph Royals Baseball Club is excited to announce today the signings of catcher Damon Topolie and first basemen Nick Burdett.
Topolie, 49, joins the Royals after a long and decorated career in the IBL that began in 1995 with the defunct Strafford Hilliers.
Since 1995, the North Bay, Ontario native has gone on to have one of the best careers in IBL history.
A three-time IBL champion (1999, 2002, and 2007) with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Topolie's crowning achivement came in 2002 when he was named IBL Playoff MVP.
The North Bay Sports Hall of Famer, who managed the Maple Leafs from 2013-2022, is an eight-time All-Star and is just two RBI away from 500 in his legendary career.
Topolie, who managed the Leafs to three finals appearences (2016, 2021, and 2022), is second all-time in IBL hits (871) and just one home run shy from 23rd all-time in home runs (52).
Burdett, 31, joins the Royals after spending his first 11 seasons in the league with the Brantford Red Sox.
The Brantford, Ontario native has a lifetime 30 home runs and .262 batting average in 402 career (regular season and playoffs combined) games.
An IBL champion in his rookie season with the Red Sox, Burdett also has managing experience, having managed the Red Sox as an interim manager throughout the years.
Royals assistant general manager Ryan Eakin said the Royals are stoked to add two well-respected veterans to the clubhouse.
"We are thrilled to have Tops and Nick join us for the stretch run. Anytime you can add two champions who are well-respected and know the league inside and out, you have to do it. We are a better locker room today because of these additions.
"It would be great to see Tops get to 500 RBI in a Royals jersey and it would be even better to see these two retire in a dog pile. It adds motivation to an already very motivated group."