Pascual Perez Murdered in His Home

Former Yankees pitcher Pascual Perez was found murdered in his home according to a spokesperson in the town of San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic. Speculation is that Perez received his pension check yesterday and police suspect it served as motivation for the home invasion and robbery that took place.

The animated right-hander was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in 1976 and made to the Majors with them in 1980. Two years later he was dealt to the Atlanta for Larry McWilliams and had two of his best seasons in the Major Leagues, when he compiled a 29-16 mark in 1983 and 1984 combined.

After a 1-14 campaign in 1985, the Braves released Perez and he signed with the Montreal Expos where he rejuvenated his career. His 7-0, 2.30 record in 10 starts in 1987 was followed by a 12-8, 2.44 mark a year later.

A free agent after the '89 season, Perez signed with the Yankees for a personal high of $1.4MM, but missed most of the season with a shoulder injury. He earned over $2MM in 1991 with the Yankees, but threw just 73.2 innings and finished 2-4, 3.18, in what turned out to be his final season in the big leagues.

Perez was also a successful winter ball pitcher in his native country, and helped to win three championships combined with the Cibao Eagles and the Tigres del Licey.¹

Perez was 55-years old and among those he is survived by are his brothers Carlos and Melido, both of whom pitched in the Major Leagues as well.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.


1 - listindiario.com