Tony Perez get elected into the Hall of Fame

January 11th, 1999 -- As predicted here on the Latino Legends in Sports web site (Prediction: Tony Perez will get inducted into the Hall of Fame), Atanasio "Tony" Pérez, former slugger of the Cincinnati Reds, was elected by the Baseball Writers Association into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Perez, 71 votes shy last year when Nolan Ryan, George Brett and Robin Yount were chosen, got 77.2 percent and was elected with 10 votes to spare. Along with Perez, Carlton Fisk was elected.

"I've been waiting for this time," said Perez, who shared the news with his 88-year-old mother in Cuba. "It has come true and right now it feels so good."

Fisk and Perez will be inducted into the Hall during ceremonies at Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 23 along with anyone elected when the veterans' committee meets Feb. 29 at Tampa, Fla. Six writers, deciding no one was worthy, submitted blank ballots.

Perez, a native of Cuba, enjoyed a 23-year career with Cincinnati, Montreal and Philadelphia. Perez batted .279 with 379 career home runs and 1,652 RBI's. A seven-time All-Star, Tony Pérez was the offensive anchor of The Cincinnati Reds during the 70's and has more RBIs than any other Latin American player ever.

Solid numbers, but they don't show a few important homers that he had in the post-season, like the blast he hit against Bill Lee and the Boston Red Sox (Carlton Fisk was catching) in a deciding Game 7 in 1975 to help the Reds rally for a 4-3 victory and win the World Championship. "Lee had actually thrown me that blooper pitch two times previous and both times it bounced and I swung and missed and embarrassed myself. When I saw him hesitate in his motion again, I waited on it" said Perez.

Carlton Fisk, Tony Perez, Sparky Anderson, Bid McPhee and Turkey Stearnes will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, NY on July 23rd.

Baseball Players	Votes
* Carlton Fisk	397
* Atanasio "Tony" Perez	385
Jim Rice	257
Gary Carter	248
Bruce Sutter	192
Goose Gossage	166
Steve Garvey	160
Tommy John	135
Jim Katt	125
Dale Murphy	116
Jack Morris	111
Dave Parker	104
Bert Blyleven	87
Luis Tiant	86
Dave Concepcion	67

(* = voted into Hall of Fame. Must have a minimum of 375 votes to be voted in.)