He’s been bruised and he’s been battered, but has risen like a Phoenix from the ashes to become the last remaining active member of the 2006 New York Mets team.
His name is Oliver Perez. Yup, that Oliver Perez. He’s still kicking around the majors 14 years later — just like we all drew it up.
With David Wright and Jose Reyes failing to appear in an MLB game beyond the 2018 season, Perez now stands alone.
The 39-year-old starter-turned-reliever just finished up his 18th major league season, and his third with the Cleveland Indians. Let’s take a look at how and why we are still talking about Perez in 2020.
Perez initially moved to a bullpen role in 2010, one year after he signed a disastrous three-year extension with the Mets, and after pitching out of their rotation since 2006.
When Perez refused a minor league demotion to work on his mechanics, New York cut ties with the southpaw, ending his tumultuous career with the squad.
Resurfacing in the majors in 2012 with the Seattle Mariners after a minor league stint with the Washington Nationals the year prior, a new and improved Ollie became a staple out of MLB bullpens, starting off with compiling 94 appearances in his first two seasons out West.
The Culiacan, Mexico native has since bounced around over the last several years, later appearing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, Nationals for a second stint, a brief minor league cameo with the New York Yankees, and finally with Cleveland.
Overall, Perez has played in 691 MLB games, with only 195 as a starter – a stark difference from when we saw him in Queens a decade ago.
Since 2012, Perez has been a reliable and serviceable arm for teams, if nothing else. He has 4.9 fWAR, which certainly isn’t going to make any newspaper headlines. When he retires from baseball, there will likely be no ticker tape parade in his name. The Canyon of Heroes will not erupt with cheers in his honor and he will not be enshrined in Cooperstown.
But, what Ollie can always hang his hat on is the rare distinction of being the last ’06 Met. He fooled us all, and you know what? He crafted out a pretty neat career for himself.
Who knows? Maybe we even still have a few years of Ollie ball left. The rubber-armed reliever is a free agent this winter and will likely catch on with a new squad for his 19th year (perhaps the Mets?).
Nearly two decades in baseball. Who would have thought?
I know many Mets fans reading this will cringe just at the name and throw theoretical tomatoes at me in the comment section, but that’s okay. These are the facts, baby. And there ain’t no denying facts.
While you’re here, check out this excellent read from Andy McCullough of The Athletic, who delves into Perez’s career trajectory.
