Pascual “Cuta” Perez, one of the most colorful yet controversial Dominican baseball players of the 1980’s and early 90’s, made a modest return to professional baseball last week with the Tigres del Licey. He pitched two scoreless innings against the Leones del Escogido during the “Round Robin” play-off between Licey, Escogido, the Estrellas Orientales and the Aguilas Cibaenas. “Cuta”, as he is known in the D.R., was a one of the most respected pitchers in the National League in the U.S. from 1982 to 1985 before being suspended after testing positive for drug use.
He returned to the major leagues in 1987 with the Montreal Expos, re-establishing himself in the National League and gaining notoriety for his slow “eefus pitch.”After signing a multi-million dollar contract with the New York Yankees in 1990, he was suspended indefinitely in 1991 after again testing positive for drugs, and had not pitched professionally here nor in the U.S. since that incident. Licey’s management had to get permission from Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig in order for Pascual Perez to pitch again, and there is hope that he will be signed by an organization in the U.S. for the 1996 season. Pascual is the older brother of Melido and Carlos Perez, who both pitch in the Major Leagues, and of Vladimir Perez, a minor league pitcher. He is also the cousin of Major League pitcher Yorkis Perez. The Perez pitchers, born in Haina, all play in the Dominican Winter League.
19-25 January 1996