Roberto Perez, the stalwart behind the plate and two-time Gold Glove winner, has decided to hang up his cleats after a commendable ten-year run in the majors, most notably with Cleveland.
Perez, at 37, steps away from the game he graced since his debut in 2014. Hailing from Puerto Rico, he wraps up his career with a .207 batting average, 55 home runs, and 193 RBIs.
In a heartfelt social media post, Perez shared, “While this decision was not an easy one, I feel confident that it is the right time to step away and begin the next chapter of my life. I leave the game with nothing but respect and appreciation for everything it has given me.”
Cleveland fans will remember him fondly for his role in the 2016 World Series run, where his two home runs were pivotal moments in a hard-fought seven-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
His standout offensive year came in 2019, where he hit .239, racked up 24 homers, and drove in 63 runs. That same year, and again in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Perez's defensive prowess earned him Gold Glove honors.
After his time with Cleveland, Perez took his talents to Pittsburgh in 2022 and then to San Francisco in 2023. Recently, he continued to showcase his skills in the Puerto Rican Winter League and the Mexican League.
As Perez moves on to new ventures, his legacy as a dependable and skilled catcher remains, leaving behind a career marked by defensive excellence and memorable moments on the field.