Tony Perez
Big Dog of the Big Red Machine.
Atanasio "Tony" Pérez Rigal, born May 14, 1942 in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, played first and third base and was a central figure of the Cincinnati teams that took four pennants and two World Series between 1970 and 1976. He later coached and managed, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Quick Facts
- Position
- 1B; 3B
- All-star selections
- 7
- Hall of fame
- 2000
Lore & Background
Reds scout Tony Pacheco signed him in 1960, at 17, off a sugar-mill team; his signing bonus amounted to the $2.50 visa and a plane ticket to Miami. He made his pro debut in Geneva, New York on May 1, 1960, tripling for his first hit. A seven-time All-Star, he drove in more than 100 runs a year on average from 1970 to 1976 and, as "Big Dog" or "Doggie", became one of the club's most popular players. He also played for Montreal, Boston and Philadelphia, managed the Reds and the Marlins, and was a special assistant to the Marlins' GM from 1993 to 2017.
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