"We do whatever it takes to win," Perez told The Tribune afterward. "I was trying to put the ball in play."
Perez did whatever he could that season at Great Falls. He also roomed with two future major league stars. But Perez' efforts weren't enough for himself. That season proved his only season as a pro.
Perez' career began and ended that year in 1990, signed by the Dodgers out of his native Dominican Republic.
Assigned to Great Falls, Perez soon found living arrangements with a local family - and two teammates. Future Hall of Famer and Great Falls teammate Pedro Martinez later recalled the living situation in his autobiography book "Pedro."
Martinez roomed with Perez and another Great Falls player, future National League Rookie of the Year Raul Mondesi. Martinez took the private room, while Mondesi and Perez shared a room, Martinez wrote.
"I needed my own space, and Raul, a year older than me, and Junior, who was an old man at 22, thankfully didn't make a stink about it." Martinez wrote.
On the field, the catcher picked up two hits in a July game and hit the game-winner in the 12th inning of an August game.
Overall, Perez saw time in 41 games, he hit .267 and knocked in 19 to mark the extent of his pro career.
- Great Falls Tribune, July 2, 1990: Dodgers' Perez rewards manager Vavra's faith
- Pedro, 2015: Sweet Home Montana, Page 40
Players/Coaches Featured:3,373
Made the Majors:1,197-35.5%
Never Made Majors:2,176-64.5%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 497
10+ Seasons in the Minors:290
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