Oliver Perez pitched his last professional game in Culiacan against Yaquis de Obregon in Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacfico, throwing a third of an inning in relief in a 2-0 win on December 26.
Since turning professional and signing with the San Diego Padres as an amateur free agent in 1999, Perez has been a crafty pitcher for most of his career, mixing sinkers and sliders to get outs. Perez has played in four World Baseball Classics, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and four Caribbean Series for Mexico.
Earlier in the day the Culiacan ball club had beaten Yaquis 8-0 in the first game of a doubleheader.
Between games in Culiacan, Perez was be honored with a tribute video recapping his legacy and his Major League career.
Perez entered the second game of the doubleheader in the seventh inning to a huge ovation before striking out Yordanys Linares on three pitches. He was then lifted from the game by skipper Benjamin Gil, who will manage Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Perez has played 14 seasons of winter ball in Mexico for the Tomateros de Culiacan along with his 20 seasons at the Major League level.
