1976 Topps #325 - Tony Perez

• Tony Perez signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 1960. He played in the minors from 1960-1964 and showed that he was ready for the big time by batting .309 with 34 home runs and 107 RBI in 1964. Tony was brought up to the Reds at the end of the 1964 season and batted .080 in 12 games.

• Perez shared time with Gordy Coleman at first base in 1965. He batted .260 with 12 HR and 47 RBI in 281 at bats in 1965. In 1966 Tony again shared time with Coleman at first base. Lee May was also on his way up for the Reds. Perez batted .265 but homered only 4 times and had 39 RBI in 257 at bats.

• Perez was moved to third base in 1967. In his first season with regular playing time Tony batted .290 with 26 HR and 102 RBI. Perez made his first All Star Game and hit the go-ahead home run in the top of the 15th inning (he was the All Star Game MVP). Tony was also 8th in NL MVP voting.

• Tony batted .282 with 18 HR and 90 RBI in 1968 and made the All Star team again (he played third base in the bottom of the 9th inning). In 1969 Tony batted .294 with 37 HR and 122 RBI. He struck out in his only at bat in the All Star Game.

• Tony's best season was probably 1970. He was third in MVP voting and was an All Star for the fourth straight year (he started at third base and was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts). Perez batted .317 with 40 HR and 129 RBI for the NL Champions. Tony batted .333 in the NLCS but batted only .056 in the World Series. Baseball's Little-Known Superstar--Tony Perez - September 1970 Baseball Digest

• In 1971 Perez batted .269 with 25 HR and 91 RBI. It was his last season as a third baseman. After Lee May was traded to Houston as part of the Joe Morgan deal Tony moved back to first base. He never played any other position (except DH) for the remainder of his career.

• Perez batted .283 with 21 HR and 90 RBI in 1972. He batted .200 in the NLCS and .435 in the World Series. In 1973 Tony batted .314 with 27 HR and 101 RBI. He slumped in the NLCS (2 for 22). Why Reds Call Tony Perez 'The Big Dog' - August 1973 Baseball Digest

• Tony made it back to the All Star Game in 1974 (he was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter) and batted .265 with 28 HR and 101 RBI. In 1975 Tony batted .282 with 20 HR and 109 RBI. In the All Star Game he struck out in his only at bat. Perez batted .417 in the NLCS and although he batted only .179 in the World Series, he homered three times and had seven RBI. Tony Perez: The Biggest Bargain of Them All - December 1975 Baseball Digest

• The 1976 season was the last one for Tony's first tour with the Reds. He made the All Star team again and walked in his only plate appearance. Perez batted .260 with 19 HR and 91 RBI, batted .200 in the NLCS, and .313 in the World Series. After the 1976 season the Reds wanted to make room for Dan Driessen and they felt that Tony was getting up there in years. Perez was traded with Will McEnaney to the Montreal Expos for Woodie Fryman and Dale Murray. When this happened (I was 10 years old) I couldn't believe it. I was really bummed out that they would think of breaking up the Big Red Machine!

• Tony spent three seasons in Montreal. In 1977 Perez batted .283 with 19 HR and 91 RBI. Perez batted .290 with 14 HR and 78 RBI in 1978. It was the first season since 1966 in which Tony didn't knock in at least 90 runs. In 1979 Perez batted .270 with 13 HR and 73 RBI. After the 1979 season Tony became a free agent and signed with the Boston Red Sox. Tony Perez - He's Still A Baseball Favorite - July 1979 Baseball Digest

• Perez was with the Red Sox from 1980-1982. In 1980 he batted .275 with 25 HR and 105 RBI for the Red Sox. It was his last season as a regular player. Perez played in 84 games in 1981 and batted .252 with 9 HR and 39 RBI. Tony was used more as a DH in 1982 and batted .260 with six homers and 31 RBI.

• Tony was released after the '82 season and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, rejoining former teammates Pete Rose and Joe Morgan as part of the "Wheeze Kids." Perez played some first base for the Phillies and batted .241 with six HR and 43 RBI in 253 at bats. He got a hit in a pinch hitting appearance in the NLCS and was 2 for 10 in the World Series. After the 1983 season Tony was purchased by the Reds.

• Perez spent the last three seasons of his career as a part-time first baseman. When the Reds hired Pete Rose as player-manager in August 1984 Tony became part of a first base platoon with Rose. In 1984 Perez batted .241 with 2 HR and 15 RBI in 137 at bats. Tony batted .328 with 6 HR and 33 RBI in 1985. In 1986, his last season as a 44-year-old, Perez batted .255 with 2 HR and 29 RBI. Tony retired after the '86 season.

• After his playing career Tony worked for the Reds' front office and got a shot at managing in 1993. Perez managed only 44 games (20-24) before being fired. He moved on to the Florida Marlins organization to work in the front office and coach. Tony finished the 2001 season as manager of the Marlins and was 54-60.

• Tony has a son, Eduardo, who played in the majors for 13 years. Tony is now a special assistant in the Marlins' front office.
  
  
• Liked to face: George Stone (.538 in 39 AB); Milt Pappas (.469 in 32 AB); Woodie Fryman (.391 in 46 AB)
• Hated to face: Tug McGraw (.114 in 35 AB); Bob Gibson (.121 with 28 strikeouts in 58 AB); Fred Norman (.152 in 33 AB)