The Montreal Expos have had some great players wear the uniform over the years, including Carlos Perez, and Expos Reloaded would like to highlight them to all in a new way.
In effort to bridge the gap between older Expos fans and younger generation, Expos Reloaded presents a Top 50 Expos of all time – according to WAR (as noted by Fangraphs) – series. (min 162 GP with Expos, not Nationals)
What will come out of this work should be interesting, giving us a view of how each player measures up according to today’s most popular statistics.
An update on what else these players were famous for, what they’re up to now, and where you can catch them on social media will also be included, as well as someof the better videos and interviews we can round up.
By all means, if you have fond memories and stories you’d like to share about these players, this is the perfect place to do so.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy ready through the series as much as it was fun compiling it!
Next up on our list is a guy who fell in love with broadcasting once his playing time ended…
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Birthdate: 4/14/1971 (46) Size: 6’3″ 195 lbs Bats/Throws: L/L
Carlos Pérez Related Quote
Montreal Expos Stats: 3 seasons
Standard
1995: 28 GP / 141.1 IP / 142 H / 28 BB / 106 SO / 18 HR / 3.69 ERA
1997: 33 GP / 206.2 IP / 206 H / 48 BB / 110 SO / 21 HR / 3.88 ERA
1998: 23 GP / 163.1 IP / 177 H / 33 BB / 82 SO / 12 HR /3.75 ERA
Advanced
1995: 4.7 % BB%, 17.9 % SO%, 1.20 whip, 76% LOB, 3.96 FIP
1997: 5.6% BB%, 12.8% SO%, 1.23 whip, 65.2% LOB, 4.12 FIP
1998: 6.2% BB%, 12.7% SO%, 1.27 whip, 71.6% LOB, 4.03 FIP
TOTAL WAR WITH EXPOS: 7.8
Carlos Pérez, ExR Thoughts
The talents inherited and developed by the Perez family through the years was incredible. It’s unfortunate that the news often concentrated itself on antics and off field issues vice on field talents.
Carlos was more flamboyant than his brothers on the mound, perhaps less antagonistic than his brother Pascual. He showed passion on the mound, making his talents really fun to watch.
With flair and personality, Perez dominated LHB in 1995 as a rookie, keeping them to a line of.182/.229/.283, something that helped him to an impressive 10-8 record. Pitching alongside Pedro Martinez and Jeff Fassero, he was able to settle in and try to help get a team that was frustrated from the strike of 1994 over the hump.
If they didn’t get there, it was the fault of Perez as he posted an impressive 2.1 WAR as a rookie.
After missing all of 1996, Perez only continued to exceed expectations and build on an impressive start to his career in 1997 and 1998. He managed a 2.7 WAR in his second full season (1997) and 3.7 WAR in 1998.
When he was traded with Hiram Bocachica and Mark Grudzielanek to the Dodgers for Jonny Tucker, Peter Bergeron, Wilton Guerrero and Ted Lilly, it was an economic decision. It netted the Expos some important pieces going forward, but did little to improve the team’s fortunes that season.
Although he made a good amount of money for himself in LA, he was never the same pitcher once he left Montreal and fell off the map – or a cliff – very suddenly for such a young man. Part of the equation was his temper, which at one point led him into legal issues “stemming from an airplane flight in which a flight attendant accused Pérez of choking, threatening, and causing injury to her, forced him to an early exit from baseball.”
Between the legal issues and declining performance, Perez decided to leave MLB but did represent the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, showing us that he still had passion and skill for the game through that point.
Carlos Pérez: Information
Nickname: “Gross”
Wore Number: 33 while with Expos
Played for: Montreal, Los Angeles
Highest WAR season (with Expos): 3.7 WAR
MLB Debut – April 27, 1995 (Age 24) vs. PIT
Expos Departure: traded w/Hiram Bocachica and Mark Grudzielanek to Dodgers for Jonny Tucker, Peter Bergeron, Wilton Guerrero and Ted Lilly
Most similar: Martin Perez
Played for a total of: 5 seasons
Last game played: Sep 5, 2000 (Age 29) vs. PIT
Career Earnings – $17,483,999
Carlos Pérez: Extra Reading and Sources
- Fangraphs Stats used above here
- Wikipedia page here
- Rob Neyer’s Big Book of Baseball
Montreal Expos Top 50 by ExR List
- No 50 – LHP, Chris Nabholz
- No 49 – OF/INF F.P. Santangelo
- No 48 – 1B Tony Perez
- No 47 – LHP Carlos Perez
– Mat Germain, baseball writer for Expos Reloaded and SB Nation’s DRaysBay, with more than 10 years covering the Toronto Blue Jays (Jays Journal) and Tampa Bay Rays. Still serving in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Reservist and Operations Officer for 413 Search and Rescue Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia. Follow Mat on Twitter @MatGermain76.