Pascual-Perez-Obituary

Pascual Perez

Obituary

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Former major league pitcher Pascual Perez, who had a troubled 11-season career that included two suspensions for drug use, was killed at his home in the Dominican Republic in an apparent robbery, police said Thursday.

Perez, who last played in the majors for the New York Yankees in 1991, was found with a severe head wound in a town west of the capital, Santo Domingo, and there was evidence at the scene to suggest that whoever killed him had been searching for money, said Joel Valdemiro, a prosecutor who is involved in the investigation.

No one was in custody and authorities did not reveal whether they had any suspects. Police said there were several assailants and that the house in the town of Don Gregorio appeared to have been ransacked.

"It's an act of criminality, unfortunately," Valdemiro said.

Perez's brother Carlos, a former pitcher for the Dodgers, confirmed his death.

Perez's ex-wife Maritza Montero found his body about 8:30 a.m. Thursday and investigators said he appeared to have been slain about eight hours earlier.

The precise cause of death has not been determined but officials said Perez, who had suffered severe kidney problems in recent years, had a fractured skull from a blow to the head.

Perez, 55, played 11 seasons of in the majors and compiled a lifetime record of 67-68 with the Braves, Pirates, Expos and Yankees. But he was in and out of trouble for much of his career.

"We were shocked to hear the news of Pascual Perez' death earlier today," said Braves president John Schuerholz in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during the aftermath of this tragic event. Pascual left his mark with the Braves organization and will always be remembered fondly by Braves fans."

Perez pitched for Atlanta from 1982-85. He was 15-8 in 1983 and 14-8 in 1984.

While playing for the Braves, he was suspended in April 1984 following his Jan. 9 arrest in the Dominican Republic on charges of cocaine possession.

He spent two months in drug rehabilitation in 1989 while with the Expos, after failing to complete rehab programs twice before, and avoided a suspension only by agreeing to accept a minimum one-year suspension if he tested positive for cocaine again.

In March 1992, the commissioner's office suspended him after a failed test the day he arrived for spring training with the Yankees. At the time, he was entering the final season of a three-year, $5.7 million contract. He never returned to major league baseball.

EZEQUIEL ABIU LOPEZ, Associated Press

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Dionisio Soldevila contributed to this report.


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Mis mas sinseras.condolencias pero tenemos un mensaje en la palabra de dios la biblia.que nos da consuelo y esperanza en revelación 21:4

To all those who loved Pascual: My sincere condolences on your loss. Cindy J

My prayers are with you in your sorrow. I am a long time Braves Fan and loved to watch Pasqual play.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

condolences to the
family for your loss. May the
loving arms of the God of all
comfort embrace you today and for
all days, forever.
------
Sentido pésame a las
de la familia por su pérdida. Que
el brazos amorosos de Dios de toda
consolar a abrazarte hoy y para
todos los días, para siempre.
---------------------------------
May the peace of God that excels
all thought comfort you as you look
to our Heavenly Father for...

My favorite time in life -- those two years when Poco and the Braves were good. God be with you, Pascual.

May God keep the entire Perez family in His heart at this time in your lives.