View source for Tony Pérez

{{Short description|Cuban baseball player and manager (born 1942)}}
{{otherpeople}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Tony Pérez
|image=Tony Perez Reds.jpg
|caption=Pérez with the Cincinnati Reds, {{c.|1976}}
|position=[[First baseman]] / [[Third baseman]] / [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]]
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1942|5|14|mf=y}}
|birth_place=[[Ciego de Ávila]], Cuba
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=July 26
|debutyear=1964
|debutteam=Cincinnati Reds
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 5
|finalyear=1986
|finalteam=Cincinnati Reds
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.279
|stat2label=[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value=2,732
|stat3label=[[Home run]]s
|stat3value=379
|stat4label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat4value=1,652
|stat5label=Managerial record
|stat5value=74–84
|stat6label=Winning %
|stat6value={{winning percentage|74|84}}
|teams=
'''As player'''
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1964}}–{{mlby|1976}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1977}}–{{mlby|1979}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1980}}–{{mlby|1982}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|1983}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1984}}–{{mlby|1986}})
'''As manager'''
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1993}})
* [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]] ({{mlby|2001}})
'''As coach'''
*[[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1987}}–{{mlby|1992}})
|highlights=
* 7× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1967 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1967]]–[[1970 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1970]], [[1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1974]]–[[1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1976]])
* 3× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1975}}, {{wsy|1976}}, {{wsy|1990}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds#Retired numbers|Cincinnati Reds No. 24]] retired
* [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum|Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]]
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate=[[2000 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2000]]
|hofvote=77.2% (ninth ballot)
}}
'''Atanasio''' "'''Tony'''" '''Pérez Rigal''' (born May 14, 1942) is a [[Cuban-American]] former professional [[baseball]] player, [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] and [[Manager (baseball)|manager]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as a [[first baseman]] and [[third baseman]] from {{By|1964}} through {{By|1986}}, most notably as a member of the [[Cincinnati Reds]] dynasty that won four [[List of National League pennant winners|National League pennants]] and two [[World Series]] championships between 1970 and 1976.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/directory#p-content |title=Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com |work=mlb.com |access-date=May 19, 2020 }}</ref> He also played for the [[Montreal Expos]], [[Boston Red Sox]] and the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].

A seven-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]], Pérez averaged more than 100 [[runs batted in]] per season from 1970 to 1976 for the powerful Cincinnati team that became known as the [[Big Red Machine]] for their dominance of the National League in the mid-1970s.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/> Variously nicknamed "'''Big Dog'''", "'''Big Doggie'''", and "'''Doggie'''", he was one of the most popular players in Reds history.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/><ref name="mlb">{{cite web|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/hof/hof/directory.jsp?hof_id=120404 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201091750/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/hof/hof/directory.jsp?hof_id=120404 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |title=Atanasio (Rigal) Perez |publisher=Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://reds.enquirer.com/2000/07/24/red_hall_of_fame.html |title=Hall of Fame induction colored Red |publisher=Reds.enquirer.com |date=July 23, 2000 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084223/http://reds.enquirer.com/2000/07/24/red_hall_of_fame.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After his playing career, Pérez became a coach and later managed the Reds and the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]]. From 1993 through the 2017 season, he was Special Assistant to the General Manager with the Marlins.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21199138/tony-perez-andre-dawson-leave-miami-marlins-organization|title=Perez, Dawson depart from Jeter-led Marlins|date=October 28, 2017|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> In [[2000 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2000]], Pérez was inducted into the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref name="Baseballhall.org""/>

==Early life==
Pérez was born in [[Ciego de Ávila, Cuba]] in 1942, the son of José Manuel and Teodora (Rígal) Pérez. Tony and his parents and siblings all lived in a two-bedroom row house owned by the sugar mill where Tony's father, and eventually Tony, worked. Tony later played shortstop for the Mill's baseball team, Central Violeta.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4zXfCwAAQBAJ&dq=shortstop+for+the+Mill%27s+baseball+team,+Central+Violeta&pg=PA328|title=Hairs vs. Squares: The Mustache Gang, the Big Red Machine, and the Tumultuous Summer of '72|page=328|first=Ed|last=Gruver|date=2016|publisher=U of Nebraska Press|isbn=9780803288195|access-date=May 14, 2020}}</ref>

He was signed to a pro contract in 1960 at age 17 by [[Cincinnati Reds]] scout [[Tony Pacheco]] while playing on the Camagüey sugar factory team. He was assigned to the instructional team of the Reds' AAA affiliate [[Havana Sugar Kings]]. His "bonus" for signing with the Reds was the $2.50 cost of a visa and a plane ticket to [[Miami, Florida]].<ref name="google1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KxyD3Wu1BlUC&q=tony+perez+reds+parents&pg=PA159 |title=Latino Baseball Legends: An Encyclopedia – LEW FREEDMAN – Google Books |date=August 31, 2010 |access-date=March 31, 2013|isbn=9780313378683 |last1=Freedman |first1=Lew |publisher=Abc-Clio }}</ref>

==Career==

===Early days===
Pérez arrived in [[Florida]] in the spring of 1960 and participated in the Reds' spring training in [[Tampa]]. He played his first minor league game for the Reds' Class D affiliate in [[Geneva, New York]] at age 17 on May 1, 1960, in the season-opener for the New York–Pennsylvania League team. Starting at second base, his first professional hit was a triple as he went 1–5 in a 6–5, 13-inning loss to the Auburn Yankees. He went hitless in the next game (the Redlegs' home opener) in a 17–16 Redlegs win, and in the next game he got the team's only hit (a single) in a 5–0 loss. On June 25 he was placed on the disabled list. That same day, he was replaced on the active roster by just-signed 19-year-old [[Pete Rose]], who was inserted into the starting lineup at second base. Upon Pérez's return, Rose remained at second base and Pérez played third base. Another of his teammates was Martín Dihigo Jr., son of [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] member and [[Negro leagues]] great and Cuban native [[Martín Dihigo]].<ref>Geneva Daily Times</ref> Pérez hit .279 with 6 home runs in 104 games.<ref name="baseball-reference1">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=perez-001ata |title=Tony Perez Minor League Statistics & History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=May 14, 1942 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

In 1961 he again played for Geneva and set several team batting records, batting .348 with 27 home runs in 121 games. In 1962 he was promoted to the Class B Rocky Mount Leafs in the [[Carolina League]]. He reported two weeks late, as he had trouble getting out of his homeland of Cuba. In 100 games, he hit .292 with 18 home runs and 74 RBI, making the all-star team as a third baseman, but his season was cut short after those 100 games due to a broken ankle.<ref name="newspaperarchive">{{cite web|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/rocky-mount-evening-telegram/1964-08-05/page-14|title=Rocky Mount Evening Telegram, Wednesday, August 5, 1964, Page 14|date=5 August 1964|publisher=newspaperarchive.com|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> In 1963 he was promoted to the [[Macon Peaches]] of the Class AA [[South Atlantic League]], where in 69 games as a third baseman he hit .309 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs before being promoted that same year to the Class AAA [[San Diego Padres (PCL)|San Diego Padres]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]]. For San Diego that year, in 8 games he hit .379 with 1 home run and 5 RBI.<ref name="baseball-reference1"/>

Playing for the Padres in 1964, Pérez, now playing first base, was named Most Valuable Player in the [[Pacific Coast League]]. Pérez hit .309 with 34 home runs and 107 RBI.<ref>Tony Perez, Topps Baseball Cards, 1968, card number 130.</ref> He was called up to the Reds and played his first two games in a doubleheader on July 26, 1964, at Cincinnati's [[Crosley Field]]. In his debut he started at first base, and in his first at-bat he drew a walk against left-handed pitcher [[Joe Gibbon]]. He went 0–2 against Gibbon and [[Don Schwall]] in a 7–2 Reds win,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196407261.shtml |title=July 26, 1964 Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds Play by Play and Box Score |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=July 26, 1964 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> then went 0–4 against pitcher [[Bob Veale]] in a 5–1 Pirates win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196407262.shtml |title=July 26, 1964 Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds Play by Play and Box Score |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=July 26, 1964 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

The following day he started at first base and batted fifth against the Braves at Milwaukee [[County Stadium]]. In an 11–2 Reds win, he got his first hit, a second-inning double off [[Denny Lemaster]], and then scored his first run on a [[Johnny Edwards (baseball)|Johnny Edwards]] double. In the seventh inning he got his first RBI, a single off Lemaster to score [[Frank Robinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN196407270.shtml |title=July 27, 1964 Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Braves Play by Play and Box Score |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=July 27, 1964 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

From 1964 through 1966, he platooned at first base, primarily with [[Deron Johnson]] and [[Gordy Coleman]]. His first career home run, a grand slam, came in the Reds' second game of 1965, at home in [[Crosley Field]] against Milwaukee – and again against Denny Lemaster. The grand slam came with 2 outs and scored [[Vada Pinson]], Frank Robinson, and Deron Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196504130.shtml |title=April 13, 1965 Milwaukee Braves at Cincinnati Reds Box Score and Play by Play |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=April 13, 1965 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

Pérez became the Reds' starter at third base in 1967 and was selected to his first [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team in {{mlby|1967}}. The [[1967 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|game]], played on July 11, 1967, at [[Anaheim Stadium]], went into 15 innings, the longest All-Star Game in history (since equaled by the 2008 game).<ref name="google2">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PSVIAAAAIBAJ&dq=tony-perez%20victor&pg=2941%2C1043048|work=The Morning Record|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=October 25, 2014|title=Perez, King For A Night, Becomes King For A Day}}</ref> Pérez's home run off future fellow Hall of Famer [[Catfish Hunter]] propelled the National League to a 2–1 victory. He was subsequently voted the game's [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/yr1967as.shtml |title=1967 All-Star Game |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

In {{mlby|1970}}, Pérez hit the first home run in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]]'s [[Three Rivers Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-statistics.com/Ballparks/Pitt/3rivers.htm |title=Pittsburgh Pirates – Three Rivers Stadium |publisher=Baseball-statistics.com |access-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108085805/http://www.baseball-statistics.com/Ballparks/Pitt/3rivers.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 1970 campaign was his finest year, statistically: in addition to his 129 RBIs, Pérez hit .317, slugged 40 home runs and scored 107 runs. His performance through the first half of the season (.363, 28 HRs) ranks among the finest in the history of the sport. He came in third in the Most Valuable Player voting behind [[Billy Williams (left fielder)|Billy Williams]] and Reds' teammate and winner [[Johnny Bench]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1970.shtml|title=Baseball Awards Voting for 1970|access-date=September 8, 2008|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>

Pérez also played winter ball for 10 seasons between 1964–65 and 1982–83 in the [[Puerto Rico Baseball League]] for the [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (baseball)|Santurce Crabbers]] (Cangrejeros de Santurce). He won the batting title and was named league MVP in 1966–67.<ref name="google3">{{cite book|title=Puerto Rico's Winter League: A History of Major League Baseball's Launching Pad|author=Van Hyning, T.E.|date=2004|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=9780786419708|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ce8wlREHG_0C|page=19|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref><ref name="aleida">{{cite web|url=http://www.aleida.net/festivals/ismael/vanhyning.html|title=An Interview with Thomas E. Van Hyning, author of the book, "Puerto Rico's Winter League"|publisher=aleida.net|access-date=October 25, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083606/http://www.aleida.net/festivals/ismael/vanhyning.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

===Big Red Machine===
{{main article|Big Red Machine}}
After platooning and playing [[first baseman|first base]] in the early part of his career (1964–66) with the [[Cincinnati Reds]], he became a perennial all-star starting at [[third baseman|third base]] from 1967 to 1971. From 1972 onward he starred at first base. Pérez was one of the premier RBI men of his generation, driving in 100 or more runs seven times in his 23-year-long career. In an 11-year stretch from 1967 to 1977, Pérez drove in 90 or more runs each year, with a high of 129 RBIs in 1970. During the decade of the 1970s, Pérez was second among all major-leaguers in RBI, with 954, behind only his teammate Johnny Bench.

Beginning in {{mlby|1970}}, the Reds went to the World Series four times in seven years, winning back-to-back world championships in {{mlby|1975}} and {{mlby|1976}}, with Pérez starting at first base. Following the Reds sweep of the Phillies in the {{mlby|1976}} League Championship Series and [[New York Yankees]] in the [[1976 World Series]] (the only time a team has ever swept the postseason since the League Championship Series was introduced in 1969), Pérez was traded to the Montreal Expos with [[Will McEnaney]] for [[Woodie Fryman]] and [[Dale Murray]].<ref name="baseball-reference2">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezto01.shtml |title=Tony Perez Statistics and History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> After his trade, the "Big Red Machine"—considered one of baseball's all-time greatest teams—sputtered and never again got into the Series, reaching the playoffs but one more time in {{mlby|1979}}. [[Sparky Anderson]], the Reds manager during the championships of the 1970s, has stated in many interviews since that Pérez was the leader, and heart and soul of those teams.

After three seasons in [[Montreal]] (in which he hit 46 home runs with 242 RBIs and a .281 batting average), for the {{mlby|1980}} season, Pérez signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox. In his first season with the Red Sox, he finished in the top 10 in the [[American League]] in home runs (25), RBIs (105) and [[intentional walk]]s (11), and won the [[Lou Gehrig Memorial Award]].<ref name="baseball-reference2"/>

===Cincinnati reunion===
For the {{mlby|1983}} season, Pérez reunited with "Big Red Machine" teammates [[Pete Rose]] and [[Joe Morgan]] on the Philadelphia Phillies. Still a feared hitter based on his reputation, Pérez was a reserve player for their Phillies during their run to the World Series that year, and batted .242 in his five World Series appearances. Following the season, he returned to the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent, where he remained until his retirement following the {{mlby|1986}} season.<ref name="baseball-reference2"/>

In 1984, at age 42, he became the oldest player to hit a walk-off pinch-hit home run (off the Pirates' [[Don Robinson (baseball)|Don Robinson]]). On May 13, 1985, batting against [[Philadelphia Phillies]]' reliever [[Dave Rucker]], he became the oldest player (44) to hit a grand slam, breaking a 70-year-old record held by [[Honus Wagner]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://baseballbiography.com/tony-perez-1942 |title=The Ballplayers - Tony Perez |publisher=baseballbiography.com |access-date=March 31, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198505130.shtml |title=May 13, 1985 Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds Box Score and Play by Play |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=May 13, 1985 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> The new record stood until [[Julio Franco]] broke it at age 46 in 2004. Pérez was named National League Player of the Week during the final week of his career at age 44, when he went 8-for-19 with a home run, three doubles, and 6 runs batted in.<ref name="baseball-reference2"/>

His final career hit and RBI came on October 4, 1986, at [[Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati)|Riverfront Stadium]] when he hit a solo home run off [[San Diego Padres]] pitcher [[Ed Whitson]] in a 10–7 Reds win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198610040.shtml |title=October 4, 1986 San Diego Padres at Cincinnati Reds Play by Play and Box Score |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=October 4, 1986 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> The following day was the Reds' last game of the year and the final game of his career. In his final at-bat, he flied out against [[Andy Hawkins]] in a 2–1 Padres' win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198610050.shtml |title=October 5, 1986 San Diego Padres at Cincinnati Reds Play by Play and Box Score |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=October 5, 1986 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

===Managerial career===

After serving one season as a coach for the Reds, Perez was hired as manager for the 1993 season. The Reds started slowly with a 12-18 record, but quickly went on a seven-game winning streak before going on a seven-game West Coast road trip. Before a game against the [[San Francisco Giants]], Reds beat writer [[Hal McCoy]] approached Perez with an idea to bat catcher [[Joe Oliver (baseball)|Joe Oliver]] in the game instead of backup catcher [[Dan Wilson (catcher)|Dan Wilson]], since Oliver hit Giants starting pitcher [[Bud Black]] well. Perez took McCoy's suggestion and the Reds won the game, the only win they would have on the trip. McCoy wrote about his meeting in his column shortly thereafter. Reds general manager [[Jim Bowden (baseball)|Jim Bowden]] read the column and was angry that Perez allowed McCoy to influence a managerial decision and fired Perez with the team having a 20-24 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCoy |first=Hal |date=2020-08-12 |title=Hal: The Day I Unwittingly Had A Hand In The Firing Of Tony Perez |url=https://pressprosmagazine.com/2020/08/12/hal-the-day-i-unwittingly-had-a-hand-in-the-firing-of-tony-perez/ |access-date= |website=Press Pros Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

Shortly after being fired by the Reds, Perez was hired by the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]] as special assistant to the general manager and later special assistant to the team president. In 2001, he replaced [[John Boles (baseball)|John Boles]] as manager of the Marlins after a 22-26 start and managed the team to the end of the season, going 54-60. Perez remained with the Marlins' organization until 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dave |title=Jack McKeon, Tony Perez turn down reduced-role offers from Marlins CEO Derek Jeter |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2017/10/05/report-marlins-ceo-derek-jeter-may-bring-back-tony-perez-jack-mckeon/735654001/ |access-date= |website=The Enquirer |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Legacy===
{{MLBBioRet
|Image  = CincinnatiReds24.png
|Name   = Tony Pérez
|Number = 24
|Team   = Cincinnati Reds
|Year   = 2000
|}}
[[File:Tony-perez manager cincinnati bradenton 03-1993.jpg|thumb|left|Perez managing the Cincinnati Reds during Spring Training in 1993 in Bradenton, Florida]]
Pérez was inducted into the [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum|Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]] in 1998. On May 27, 2000, in an on-field [[pre-game ceremony]] at [[Cinergy Field]] with family and former teammates and managers, the Reds retired his number, 24.<ref name="mlb"/>

In {{Baseball year|2000}}, Pérez was elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[Cooperstown, New York]], garnering 385 votes on 499 ballots for a total of 77.15%, just over the three-quarters minimum required for induction. He was inducted in July 2000 along with [[Sparky Anderson]], [[Carlton Fisk]], [[Bid McPhee]] and [[Turkey Stearnes]]. In his induction speech, he said, "I doubt that a king at his coronation feels better than me today."<ref name="Baseballhall.org">{{cite web|url=http://baseballhall.org/node/11293 |title=Atanasio Perez Rigal – Induction Speech &#124; Baseball Hall of Fame |publisher=Baseballhall.org |date=March 29, 1979 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> Each year since his induction, he has attended the weekend ceremonies, including riding in the annual parade and playing in the annual golf outing and old-timers' baseball game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/members/searchable-data?lname=&cat=All&negro=All&pos=All&team=&state=All&class%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=2000&class%5Bvalue%5D%5Bmonth%5D=0&class%5Bvalue%5D%5Bday%5D=0&class%5Bvalue%5D%5Bhour%5D=0&class%5Bvalue%5D%5Bminute%5D=0&class%5Bvalue%5D%5Bsecond%5D=0 |title=Hall of Famers &#124; Baseball Hall of Fame |publisher=Baseballhall.org |date=March 31, 1982 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

Pérez was inducted into the [[Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame]] in 2001 at a pre-game ceremony held at the [[San Francisco Giants]]' [[Pacific Bell Park]].<ref name="HHBM">{{cite web|url=http://www.hispanicbaseballmuseum.com/fme_perez.html|title=Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum|access-date=July 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109111812/http://www.hispanicbaseballmuseum.com/fme_perez.html|archive-date=January 9, 2009}}</ref> That same year he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the [[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2001 All-Star Game]] at [[Safeco Field]] in [[Seattle]]. He had played at the [[Kingdome]] in Seattle during the [[1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1979 All-Star Game]]. Pérez in 1998 was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame, which honors those that have made significant achievements in the [[Caribbean Series]]. He was one of 24 inaugural inductees into the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clase Cooperstown 2010 |url=https://latinbaseball.org/clase-cooperstown-2010/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Salon de la Fama |language=es}}</ref> He was inducted in 2010 to the Cuban Sports Hall of Fame.<ref name="cubanball">{{cite web |url=http://www.cubanball.com/sportshall.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030408232317/http://www.cubanball.com/sportshall.html |archive-date=April 8, 2003 |url-status=dead |title=Sportshall |access-date=October 25, 2014 }}</ref>

In 2011, with Pérez and his sons in attendance at opening ceremonies of the Museo del Deporte de Puerto Rico in [[Guaynabo]], [[Puerto Rico]], his adopted homeland, presented him with a surprise honor. He was proclaimed an official "native son" of Puerto Rico "for his dedication to the commonwealth as a family and community member, and for his impressive baseball accolades while representing the island." Also present were fellow Hall of Famers [[Orlando Cepeda]] and [[Roberto Alomar]], as well as [[Vera Zabala]], the widow of [[Roberto Clemente]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://baseballhall.mlblogs.com/tag/victor-perez/ |title=Victor Perez « Cooperstown Chatter |publisher=Baseballhall.mlblogs.com |date=December 19, 2011 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801081447/http://baseballhall.mlblogs.com/tag/victor-perez/ |archive-date=August 1, 2013 }}</ref>

On August 10, 2014, at the annual Reds Hall of Fame Induction Gala, former Reds teammates Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan along with Pérez himself announced that the Reds would erect a statue of Pérez outside [[Great American Ball Park]].<ref>Pérez</ref>

On August 21–22, 2015, the Cincinnati Reds held Tony Pérez Weekend during a series with the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]. At least 12 players of the Big Red Machine were part of a post-game ceremony that Friday's night. On Saturday, a bronze statue of Pérez was unveiled near the entrance to Great American Ball Park. Fans attending the game received replica statues, and there was a pre-game ceremony honoring Pérez, followed by him throwing the ceremonial first pitch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/celebrate-tony-perez-weekend-with-big-red-machine/c-142955486|title=Celebrate Tony Perez Weekend With Big Red Machine|website=MLB.com|date=13 August 2015 }}</ref>

[[Tommy John]] thought Pérez was one of the toughest hitters he ever had to face due to his ability to hit to right-center field with power. "He waited on the ball well and I couldn't throw hard enough to get it by him inside," John recollected.<ref>{{cite book|last1=John|first1=Tommy|last2=Valenti|first2=Dan|title=TJ: My Twenty-Six Years in Baseball|publisher=Bantam|location=New York|year=1991|isbn=0-553-07184-X|page=275}}</ref>

===Managerial record===
{| class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center;font-size:100%"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| From
! rowspan="2"| To
! colspan="3"| Regular season record
! colspan="3"| Post–season record
|-
! {{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
! {{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
! {{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
! {{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
! {{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
| [[Cincinnati Reds]]
| 1993
| 1993
| {{WinLossPct|20|24}}
| rowspan="2" colspan="3"| —
|-
| [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]]
| 2001
| 2001
| {{WinLossPct|54|60}}
|-
! colspan="3"| Total
! {{WinLossPct|74|84}}
! {{WinLossPct|0|0}}
|-
! colspan="9"| Reference:<ref>{{cite web|title=Tony Pérez|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/perezto01.shtml|website=Baseball Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=October 2, 2015}}</ref>
|}

==Personal life==
[[File:Tony Perez All Star Parade 2008.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Pérez at the 2008 All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade]]
While playing winter ball in [[Puerto Rico]] in 1964, Pérez met Juana ("Pituka") de la Cantera, daughter of Pablo de la Cantera and Edilia Cortina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delafe.com/cardenas/guiae.htm |language=en|publisher=Delafe.com |title=E-mail Directory of Cardenenses |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> Also of Cuban descent, she grew up in Puerto Rico. Four months after meeting, the couple married in early 1965.<ref name="enquirer2000">{{Cite web |last=Haft |first=Chris |date=January 13, 2000 |title=Perez: from Cuba to Hall |url=http://reds.enquirer.com/2000/01/13/red_perez_from_cuba_to.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130409073847/http://reds.enquirer.com/2000/01/13/red_perez_from_cuba_to.html |archive-date=April 9, 2013 |website=[[Cincinnati Enquirer]]}}</ref> They both became American citizens on October 18, 1971 in [[Cincinnati]].<ref name="google4">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1798&dat=19711019&id=EPgeAAAAIBAJ&pg=1718,3170115|title=Sarasota Journal|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> They have two sons, both born in Cincinnati, Victor Pérez (May 11, 1966) and [[Eduardo Pérez]] (September 11, 1969).

Victor played one season in the Reds' minor league system in 1990.<ref name="greatest21days">{{cite web|url=http://www.greatest21days.com/2014/04/interview-part-1-victor-perez-that.html|title=The Greatest 21 Days: Interview Part 1: Victor Perez, That Feeling|publisher=greatest21days.com|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> He attended and graduated from [[Xavier University]] in Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Finance and Computer Science. He later moved to [[New York City]], where he worked in real estate and in telecommunications. He also attended acting school there and became a professional actor, first in New York City, and then for several years in London.<ref name="enquirer2000"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=perez-001vic |title=Victor Perez Minor League Statistics & History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=May 11, 1968 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

Eduardo was an All-American third baseman at [[Florida State University]] and played in the [[College World Series]]. He was drafted in the first round (17th overall pick) by the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]]. He played Major League Baseball for 13 seasons. After retiring as a player, he served as an [[ESPN]] commentator for five years. In 2009, he managed [[Leones de Ponce (baseball)|Leones de Ponce]] to the Puerto Rican League championship, and in 2011 and 2012 he was hitting coach for the [[Miami Marlins]]. He was bench coach of the [[Houston Astros]] for the 2013 season. In 2016, Eduardo joined SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio hosting The Leadoff Spot with [[Steve Phillips]]. He is married to Mirba (Rivera) and they have two daughters, Andreanna and Juliana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=hou&coachorstaffid=120408 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219182553/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=hou&coachorstaffid=120408 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |title=Manager and Coaches |publisher=Houston.astros.mlb.com |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

In November 1972, Pérez was granted a 20-day visa to return to [[Cuba]] for the first time since a 1963 trip; however, the visa did not permit his wife and children to go, according to "Latino Baseball Legends: An Encyclopedia" by [[Lew Freedman]]. He took 17 suitcases of gifts, clothes, and medical supplies and reunited with his family in Central Violeta, Cuba—a 400-mile train ride from [[Havana]].<ref name="google1"/>

Tony's father, Jose Manuel – with whom Tony worked alongside as a teenager at the [[Camagüey]] sugar factory, hauling and stamping the company's name on the bags – died in 1979 at age 84 (some sources list his year of death as 1977). Tony has stated that, during his playing career, his family in Cuba would listen to the [[Voice of America]], which would give daily updates on Cuban players playing in the majors.<ref name="google1"/><ref name="enquirer2000"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Araton |first=Harvey |url=http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/tony-perez-on-cuba-and-its-team/ |title=Tony Pérez on Cuba and Its Team – NYTimes.com |publisher=Bats.blogs.nytimes.com |date=March 17, 2009 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref>

Tony's mother, Teodora ("Tita"), was 88 when Tony called her with the news in 2000 that he had been elected to the Hall of Fame.<ref name="Baseballhall.org"/> Tony was able to make a return visit to Cuba in 2002, only this time with his sons. Teodora died in 2008. Tony's oldest sister died in 1997. In 2000, for a luncheon honoring Tony, the Marlins arranged to surprise him by helping his two living sisters, Argelia and Gloria, secure visas and come to Miami from their homes in Central Violeta, Camagüey, Cuba.<ref name="sun-sentinel">{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-08-26/sports/0008260113_1_pituka-perez-reds-hall-sisters|title=Sisters Surprise Perez At Lunch|work=Sun Sentinel|access-date=October 25, 2014|archive-date=2014-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025202014/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-08-26/sports/0008260113_1_pituka-perez-reds-hall-sisters|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://retro.cincinnati.com/Topics/Article/114/Tony-Perez-left-his-life-behind-to-play-baseball-in-America |title=Tony Perez left his life behind to play baseball in America |publisher=retro. Cincinnati.com |date=March 10, 2013 |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-06-11/sports/9806110062_1_father-cuba-return-home |title=To Understand Joy, Visit Perez's Sorrow – Sun Sentinel |publisher=Articles.sun-sentinel.com |date=June 11, 1998 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-date=September 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922135811/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-06-11/sports/9806110062_1_father-cuba-return-home |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-01-12/sports/0001120228_1_perez-s-candidacy-baseball-writers-association-tony-perez|title=Hall Door Finally Open To Perez|work=Sun Sentinel|date=January 12, 2000|access-date=March 31, 2013|archive-date=September 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922134256/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-01-12/sports/0001120228_1_perez-s-candidacy-baseball-writers-association-tony-perez|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Pérez has cited Cuban-born [[Minnie Miñoso]] as his boyhood idol.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-07/site/ct-mov-1207-minoso-documentary-20121207_1_minnie-minoso-chicago-white-sox-cuban-comet | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208132109/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-07/site/ct-mov-1207-minoso-documentary-20121207_1_minnie-minoso-chicago-white-sox-cuban-comet | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 8, 2012 | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Minnie Minoso gets his moment | date=December 7, 2012}}</ref> Pérez advocated for many years in articles, speeches, and discussions to get Minoso elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref name="chicagonow">{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/white-sox-observer/2011/11/the-push-to-get-minoso-in-the-hall-of-fame-continues/|title=The push to get Minoso in the Hall of Fame continues &#124; White Sox Observer|publisher=chicagonow.com|access-date=October 25, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108085721/https://www.chicagonow.com/white-sox-observer/2011/11/the-push-to-get-minoso-in-the-hall-of-fame-continues/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A 326-page biography, ''Tony Pérez: From Cuba to Cooperstown'', written by John Erardi, was published on April 2, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.orangefrazer.com/store/tony-prez-from-cuba-to-cooperstown|title = Tony Pérez: From Cuba to Cooperstown}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Cuba}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders]]
* [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Baseball Hall of Fame profile|perez-tony}}
*{{baseballstats|mlb=120404|espn=215|br=p/perezto01|fangraphs=1010188|brm=perez-001ata|retro=P/Pperet001}}
*{{baseball-reference manager|id=perezto01}}
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|1c4baf33}}

{{Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVPs}}
{{PCL MVPs}}
{{1975 Cincinnati Reds}}
{{1976 Cincinnati Reds}}
{{1990 Cincinnati Reds}}
{{Lou Gehrig Memorial Award}}
{{Cincinnati Reds managers}}
{{Miami Marlins managers}}
{{Cincinnati Reds HOF}}
{{Cincinnati Reds retired numbers}}
{{Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame}}
{{2000 Baseball HOF}}
{{Baseball Hall of Fame members}}
{{Philadelphia Phillies HOF}}
{{Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Tony}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds coaches]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds managers]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Cuban expatriate baseball players in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Florida Marlins managers]]
[[Category:Geneva Redlegs players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Macon Peaches players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first base coaches]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball hitting coaches]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVPs]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Cuba]]
[[Category:20th-century Cuban sportsmen]]
[[Category:Cuban expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Cuban expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball third basemen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
[[Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Ciego de Ávila]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Ciego de Ávila Province]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:Rocky Mount Leafs players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Pacific Coast League MVP award winners]]
[[Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States]]