Tony Pérez's 1975 World Series MVP Award

Heart and soul of the Big Red Machine

Tony Pérez was a Cuban-American first baseman and third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds from 1964 through 1976, and again from 1984 through 1986, a key member of the Big Red Machine that won four National League pennants and two World Series championships between 1970 and 1976. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Quick Facts

Key achievement: World Series participant

Lore & Background

Pérez was born in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba in 1942, signed by the Reds in 1960 for the cost of a visa and plane ticket. He played winter ball in Puerto Rico for 10 seasons, winning a batting title and MVP in 1966–67. In 1985, at age 43, he hit a grand slam but was not the oldest to do so.

Reader's Guide

Pérez was a seven-time All-Star and averaged over 100 RBIs per season from 1970 to 1976. He drove in 100 or more runs seven times in his career, and from 1967 to 1977 drove in 90 or more each year. In the 1970s, he was second in MLB in RBIs (954) behind Johnny Bench. He won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 1980.