Phillies Say Goodbye to the Pie Guy: Utility Infielder Tomas Perez, Loved By His Teammates As a Clubhouse Cut-Up, Was Given His Release After Six Years

By Marc Narducci, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Apr. 3–Tomas Perez has thrown his last pie for the Phillies.

In a move that had been expected and was cemented after the Phillies acquired outfielder David Dellucci from Texas on Saturday, Perez yesterday was given his release. This ended the fun-loving Perez’s six-year tenure with the Phils.

The release of Perez got the Phillies down to the 25-man roster limit. They also sent spring-training sensation Chris Coste to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Although Perez has a $700,000 guaranteed contract this season, the pain of leaving the organization where he had become a team and fan favorite was clearly evident as he fought back tears in discussing his situation.

“It hurts to have this happen, especially with this team and this organization,” Perez said after yesterday’s 5-0 win over the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park in the Phillies’ final exhibition game. “I appreciate everything they have done for me, and it’s part of the life.”

Perez’s release was expected, especially after the Phillies signed free-agent infielders Alex Gonzalez and Abraham Nunez during the off-season.

“I saw it coming,” said Perez, who hit .233 in just 159 at-bats last season. “I knew right away when they signed those guys.”

Perez was known more for his role in the Phillies’ clubhouse, where he was a cut-up who kept teammates loose. One of his trademarks was throwing shaving-cream pies in the faces of teammates who were being interviewed on the postgame television show.

“I will miss the pies in the face,” said first baseman Ryan Howard, who figures to appear on his share of postgame shows this season. “I remember [when] I first got here and was doing an interview and he got me with a shaving-cream pie. What I loved about him is that he kept everything loose.”

“Sometimes it hits you harder than other times, and this is probably one of the toughest losses,” Phillies third baseman David Bell said. “You have to keep it in perspective and know things will work out for him, but it was hard for him and really hard for us.”

Bell had to pause briefly when talking about Perez.

“He is a great guy and teammate and I know it will all work out for him, but we are really going to miss him,” Bell said.

Catcher Mike Lieberthal had been here for Perez’s entire tenure, and he echoed Bell’s thoughts.

“He is one of my favorite players I ever played with,” Lieberthal said. “He was not only a good player, but he kept everybody loose and is one of the best personalities I have ever been around.”

In six seasons with the Phillies, Perez hit .249 (279 for 1,120) with 20 home runs and 128 RBIs.

Perez had cleared waivers last week and was not offered a chance to go to triple A. He definitely thinks there is a place for him in the big leagues.

This spring, Perez batted .206 (7 for 34) with two RBIs. He also competed in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela.

“He did a good job for us and had a lot of friends on our club, and hopefully things would work out for Tomas,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “He has a good personality.”

Manuel said it was also difficult to send Coste down after he hit .463 with five doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs this spring. Now in his 12th season, Coste has never reached the major leagues.

“He showed us a whole lot, that he could catch and play first base, and I always thought he could hit,” Manuel said. “He’s in a better position now than when he came into spring training, whether he realizes it or not.”

Coste was almost speechless after learning the news before the game. “It’s just really difficult right now,” he said.

Perez surely knows how Coste feels. He leaves with plenty of good memories, and of course his recipe for shaving-cream pies.

“I will bring the pies with me wherever I go,” Perez said, trying to force a smile. “I know that at 32 years old, I can still help another team.”

Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.

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