As the Cleveland Guardians gear up for another season, the baseball world is also reflecting on the retirement of a beloved figure: Roberto “Bebo” Perez. The former Cleveland catcher, known for his World Series heroics, has decided to hang up his cleats at the age of 38, having last played in the majors in 2023.
Perez shared his heartfelt farewell on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the game that has been central to his life. He spoke of the discipline, resilience, and teamwork he learned through baseball, thanking everyone who supported him along the way. It’s clear that while the decision was tough, Perez feels it’s the right time to move on and embrace the next chapter.
Drafted initially by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006, Perez found his home with Cleveland after being selected in the 33rd round of the 2008 draft. He debuted in the majors in 2014 and spent eight seasons with Cleveland, appearing in 490 games.
Known for his defensive prowess, Perez earned two Gold Gloves and posted a .206 career batting average with 53 home runs. His standout season came in 2019, where he hit 24 home runs and notched 63 RBIs.
However, Perez’s most memorable moment was during the 2016 World Series. Despite hitting just three home runs in the regular season, he smashed two in Game 1 against the Chicago Cubs, becoming the only Cleveland player to achieve such a feat in a World Series game.
After his time with Cleveland, Perez played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and wrapped up his MLB career with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. He recently threw out the first pitch for Game 3 of last year’s AL Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers.
As Perez steps away from the field, there’s hope that the organization will honor him with another tribute. His legacy as a key player and his contributions to the game will surely be remembered by fans and teammates alike.