Eduardo Pérez, a former Cincinnati Reds player and current ESPN MLB analyst, took to X to set the record straight about his father, Hall of Famer Tony Pérez. He stated that recent reports regarding the Reds legend’s health were “completely inaccurate.”
“Thankfully, he is alive, well, and still stronger than most of us,” Eduardo wrote. “Social media has created too many people pretending to be reporters without doing basic fact-checking. Thank you to all who called.”
The clarification comes after Eduardo’s emotional announcement on “SportsCenter” in September 2024, where he shared the news of Pete Rose’s death at age 83.
To celebrate the enduring legacy of the Big Red Machine star, here is a look back at some memorable moments captured from the Cincinnati Enquirer archives:
May 1966: Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Pérez with his wife, Juana, and their first child, Victor, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Aug. 15, 1966: Three-month-old Victor Pérez catches up on sleep during the team’s annual father-son game.
Sept. 10, 1968: Victor waits patiently while his mother serves chicken and yellow rice, with Tony watching nearby.
June 1970: Tony Pérez in action at Crosley Field.
Oct. 12, 1972: Locker room celebrations with Johnny Bench (left) and Tony Pérez after winning the National League.
July 26, 1974: Reds manager Sparky Anderson praises Tony Pérez after his game-winning homer in the Riverfront Stadium opener.
March 22, 1975: Pérez signs autographs for fans.
Oct. 7, 1975: A home run swing from Pérez.
Tony Pérez gets a congratulatory hand slap from Pete Rose after a three-run homer.
April 8, 1976: Tony Pérez in his prime.
June 1976: Action at Riverfront Stadium.
May 5, 1978: Now with Montreal, Pérez helps Pete Rose celebrate his 3,000th hit.
April 1984: Pérez jokes around in tight pants.
Sept. 17, 1984: Schottzie the elephant takes a bow as Pérez and others look on.
May 14, 1985: Smiling after a pinch-hit grand slam against the Phillies.
July 1, 1986: In the Reds’ clubhouse.
Oct. 7, 1986: Marge Schott jokes with Pérez at a press conference.
Oct. 30, 1992: New Reds manager Tony Pérez hugs Schott.
1993: Pérez with general manager Jim Bowden during spring training.
March 5, 1993: Ready for his first game as Reds manager.
2000: Pérez, Carlton Fisk, and Sparky Anderson hold up Hall of Fame plaques.
2000: Johnny Bench kisses Pérez after his induction speech.
Sept. 22, 2002: Pérez, Barry Larkin, Anderson, and Bench before the final game at Cinergy Field.
June 20, 2009: Pérez talks with Oscar Robertson at the MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon.
July 23, 2016: Waving to the crowd during the Parade of Legends in Cooperstown.
June 26, 2025: Walking the red carpet at the Big Red Machine 50th Anniversary.