Tony Pérez: From Cuba to Cooperstown

by John Erardi

The 1970s belonged to Pérez and the Big Red Machine and after the Big Red Machine was gone, Pérez was far from finished. He had good seasons with Montreal and Boston, made it back to the World Series with Philadelphia in 1983, and returned to Cincinnati in 1984 where he became the oldest player to hit a grand slam home run.

Erardi's story is scenic and lively, especially describing the Big Dog's demeanor, which endeared him more to Cincinnati fans than any player in recent memory. The courtliness, on and off the field, traces Pérez's manner back to the Cuban lineage from which he had come.

Whether by practice or instinct he carried the best qualities of his Cuban forebear, the great El Inmortal Dihigo. Pérez was unselfish, unflappable, and joyous. Even better than that, he was a good teammate.

A good man then, now... always.

Genres: Baseball

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2018

About the author

John Erardi is a reporter and columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer and co-author of several books on baseball. He is the three-time winner of the Ohio Sports Writer of the Year award and an AP award-winner."

Reviews

[nanna perez]

no rating but this was written without the consent of tony! not 100% accurate in terms of him but excellent work from a historical perspective.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book, one of the best sports biographies (heck, any biography) I have ever read. Even without the actual consent by the subject. He's the one main member of the Big Red Machine that not much has been written about. Now it has. Not only a book about Tony Perez and his life but also about Cuba, Cuban baseball, the state of relations between the US and Cuba, life in the 60's in general and much more. Well researched with some great insight from many of Tony's (or Tani's) former teammates. Definitely a labor of love for the author (who traveled to Cuba for research). I learned quite a bit about Tony from this book but most of all that he is one of the most highly respected players ever to play the game.

[Patrick Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being from Cincinnati, enjoyed reading about The Big Red Machine. But what makes the book most interesting is the descriptions of Cuba, before and after Castro. The time of Perez growing up in a sugar mill town, playing baseball in from a young age, his father telling him to go to the USA to play wall, decision that meant 10 years of separation from his family. Then the years after the glory days of The Big Red Machine are detail, much of which I did not know. What shines through is his personality, in the club house and with his family, including his 50 year marriage. The fans in Cincinnati never booed him, despite sometimes booing Morgan, Bench or Rose. He is the only Cuban native to be in the Hall of Fame.

[Trey Grayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born in 1972, I had the misfortune of being a little too young to have any memories of the 1975-76 Big Red Machine. So my first memories of Big Doggie were as an Expo. (In fact, my first memory of him was when he was playing first base for the Expos when Pete got his 3000th hit. Tony was there to greet him at first base. (I had the good fortune to be at that game.)

Fortunately, John Erardi does a great job of describing what I missed during Perez’s peak playing days with the Reds. But his deep dive into Cuba — and its impact on Perez and other Cuban players — is what helps this book (and Tony’s life story) stand out.

[John Scherer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a little fella, I became a fan of the Big Red Machine. During summer nights, I recall listening to the radio descriptions of Bench, Morgan, Perez, Rose, Griffey, Foster, etc w/ my grandfather. I loved those fellas. And, I loved Doggie. What a fun book. A beautiful evocation of his Cuban background and the weight of leaving his home. Also, I enjoyed the historical information about Cuban baseball. Most of all, I liked the confirmation that Doggie was the great guy that I imagined as a little dude.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book - gives a great glimpse into the life of Tony Perez - I never knew his backstory about leaving his parents/country and not being able to return for 10 years. Makes one appreciate his accomplishments even more. After reading this you’ll understand why everyone loves “The Big Dog”.

[Michael Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Erardi writes a fantastic book about arguably the most important member of the legendary Big Red Machine. Erardi does a great job re-telling stories about the greatest team in NL history and adding some new ones. If you are a fan of 1970's baseball this is the book for you!!
He also does a phenomenal job of incorporating "Big Doggie"s career through a history of Cuban Baseball. Perez is the only Cuban born player in the Hall of Fame who played in the Major Leagues and the political drama in Cuba is told throughout Perez's story. I couldn't recommend this more for a baseball fan.

[Gageby Gaither · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t be afraid to read this if you are not a huge baseball fan. There is as much about Cuban history in the Big Dog’s biography as his baseball career. Nice love story too.

[Doug Coates]

Excellent! If you're into baseball, Cincinnati Reds, legends of the game - this is a must read book. Chronicles the life of Tony Perez, one of the greatest players to come out of Cuba and his time with the Cincinnati Reds.

Wonderful reading - good job John Erardi