Tony Pérez's 1975 World Series MVP Award

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 44, he became the oldest player to hit a grand slam.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Fenway Park was thick with humidity and tension as Tony Pérez stepped into the batter's box in Game 6. The crowd, a sea of red and white, held its breath. With two outs and the game on the line, he connected with a pitch from Luis Tiant, sending a soaring drive toward left field that seemed to defy gravity. It wasn't just a hit; it was a statement. As the ball cleared the Green Monster, Pérez's eyes met those of his teammates, a silent understanding passing between them: this was their moment, and he would not let them down.

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.

Did You Know?

• Pérez was nicknamed 'Big Dog', 'Big Doggie', and 'Doggie'.
• He was the MVP of the 1967 All-Star Game after hitting a home run off Jim 'Mudcat' Grant.
• He was traded from the Reds after the 1976 season and the Big Red Machine never returned to the World Series.
• His final career hit was a single on October 5, 1986.