From Cuba to Cooperstown, Tony Perez, “The Big Dog” and the Cincinnati Reds “Big Red Machine”

One of the baseball’s great run producers, Atanacio “Tony” Pérez Rigal was among the best when it came to driving in big runs for Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine”. With the game on the line there was no one else you wanted to see step up to the plate…unless, of course, you were the pitcher on the opposing team.

Tony played 23 years in the big leagues and amassed 2,732 Hits, 505 doubles, 379 Home Runs and 1,652 RBI. He was an 7 time All-Star, the 1967 All-Star Game MVP where he belted a go-ahead home run in the 15th inning off of future Hall of Farmer Jim “Catfish” Hunter. He would also win 2 World Series with the Cincinnati Reds and have a plethora of clutch hits throughout his career.

Tony’s story is chronicled in detail in the book, Tony Perez, From Cuba to Cooperstown by John Erardi. After reading, you’ll understand why everyone in baseball, from fans to teammates to adversaries, all loved The Big Dog.