Tony Perez Reds Baseball Legend 111

Tony Perez Announces His Arrival in the 1967 All-Star Game

Tony Perez was my favorite player when I was growing up. Doggie was many of my friends’ favorite player. I think this is significant, because there were many players who were likely guys: Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Lee May (not at the same time).

Before I became a fan, the Big Dog announced his presence as one of the most clutch, the clutchest, of player by hitting a homer off Catfish Hunter in 67 in Anaheim in the 15th inning to win the game 2-1. Won the game’s MVP Award. This is a game that really, really used to matter to the players, fans, managers, owners, groundskeepers, everyone.

Tony was moved to third base because the Reds stuck Lee May at first. Because ol’ Lee could hit. A ton. And while Perez may not have been Brooks Robinson at third (he wasn’t), he could hit.

This is how Phil Cola of SABR put it:

… much to Perez’s surprise Los Angeles Dodgers manager Walter Alston named him to the National League squad for the All-Star Game in Anaheim. Perez entered the game in the tenth inning, struck out in his first at-bat in the 12th, and then, in the 15th inning he hit a one-out home run off Catfish Hunter to give the National League a 2-1 victory. Perez was voted the game’s most valuable player.

Big Dog went on to have a bigger hit in the greatest World Series ever played, the 76 against the BoSox. And he was a Red until I think last year. No, but it was the 80s. Dude is a great player.

One day, we’ll discuss the 20-24 record with the Reds that Doggie had as a manager. And how “boy genius” Jim Bowden fired him 44 games into a season because, I guess, Bowden’s players could never start a season four games under .500 (I couldn’t find Jimmy Boy’s record, but I’m sure it ain’t much better than that winning percentage).

Big Dog, Doggie. Tony Perez. My guy.