Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990 TAG: 9003290028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
"He's a sick man who wants to be good and do well but needs help," Rodgers said. "But you need to keep an eye on him. He needs to know you're checking up on him."
Perez, a free agent who signed a three-year, $5.7 million contract with the New York Yankees in November, arrived at spring training Tuesday after missing the first eight days of camp because of visa and legal problems in the Dominican Republic.
Rodgers, experienced at waiting for Perez, wasn't surprised by the delay.
"You expect that with Pascual," he said. "You don't let him go any place on his own, not even the dentist. He just won't get there."
Pete Peterson, the Yankees general manager, disagreed with Rodgers' assessment.
"We all know about Pascual's history, but the Yankees are confident that he realizes he's made mistakes and is ready to correct them," Peterson said. "We feel he'll stay on the straight and narrow and be nothing but a plus for us. The bottom line is Pascual's a good person and a good pitcher."
Perez's nine-year career has included a series of mysterious disappearances and late arrivals. He got lost on the Atlanta highways and missed a game in 1982, was AWOL in mid-1985 and the spring of 1986, didn't report until May 1 because of visa problems in 1987, had visa difficulties again in 1988, and missed spring training last year because of drug rehabilitation.
A two-time drug offender, Perez will be required to undergo counseling and testing all season. The Yankees also have hired former pitcher Dock Ellis to watch over Perez and ensure that he follows the program.
"I once checked his room 10 straight nights," Rodgers said. "He'd get angry and say, `What do you think I am? A baby?' But he knew he needed help, and he appreciated us watching over him."
But when Perez was promoted from Class AAA to the Expos in August 1987, Rodgers was incensed - for awhile.
"I knew about his reputation and didn't want any part of him," he said. "I thought he had enough chances, but he won me over. He showed me that he's a competitor of the fiercest degree. He's got the guts of a burglar. You pitch him in a big game and he'll give you a big effort. There's nothing chicken about Perez."
by CNB