No one ever doubted Pascual Perez’ talent. At times, he even seemed destined for stardom. Unfortunately, he just kept getting lost along the way.
On Thursday, Perez was the victim of a robbery that escalated to murder. He was reportedly killed by burglars lured to his home by the fame he cultivated many years ago while pitching in the majors leagues. During his time in uniform, Perez never seemed comfortable dealing with the expectations of his notoriety. In death, he was betrayed by it once again.
Born in San Cristobal, on the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic, Perez was like a fish out of water in the United States. Signed off the island by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the tender age of 19, the gawky right hander didn’t have much success in the minor leagues. However, despite struggling through parts of seven seasons in the Pirates’ farm system and two brief stints in the majors, there were flashes of brilliance, perhaps none more prominent than when Perez out pitched Fernando Valenzuela in the championship game of the Caribbean World Series. During this period, Perez came close to quitting on several occasions, but instead he persevered. The reward was a ticket to Atlanta.
Since winning the N.L. West in 1969, the Braves were a mediocre team for most of the next decade. Then, in 1982, led by new manager Joe Torre, Atlanta turned the tide, winning a then record 13 straight games to start the year. The season would ebb and flow from that point, but on June 30, still in first place by three games, the Braves pulled off a relatively anonymous deal when they sent Larry McWilliams to the Pirates for Perez. Although news of the trade was reported briefly in the section of the newspaper reserved for footnotes, Perez would soon become fodder for headlines.
When the Braves recalled Perez from Richmond on July 27, they were not looking for a savior, just another arm to help out during what was beginning to look like a victory lap. Atlanta held a comfortable seven game lead in the West when Perez made his debut with the team, but he still managed to make an impression. An effective appearance in relief soon led to a job in the starting rotation, and before he knew it, his major league career was reborn.
When I get lost, I been in Atlanta for four days. I rent a car and get my driving permit that morning, and I leave for the stadium very early, but I forget where to make a turn right.” – Pascual Perez, quoted by SI, May 23, 1983
Perez went 0-2 in his first four starts with the Braves, but his 3.03 ERA kept him in the rotation. However, despite his contribution, the Braves went into a free fall, losing 19 of 21 games to fall four back of the Dodgers. So, on August 19, with the team in jeopardy of falling out of a race they once led handily, the Braves turned to Perez for another solid outing. He was nowhere to be found. Earlier in the day, Perez, who was still learning his new surroundings, received his driver’s license and decided to rent a car instead of take a cab to the ballpark. He missed a turn. And then another. Finally, he ran out of gas. What should have been a leisurely afternoon drive to the stadium had become an ordeal.
A promotional poster “commemorating” Perez’ misadventure on the Atlanta freeway.
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