Mourning the release of Tomas Perez, utility man extraordinaire

After watching the first couple games of the Phillies season, something seemed different about this year's squad. Was it the lack of clutch hitting? No, that was still there. Was it the starters never making it past the 6th inning? No, that was also the same. Was it the questionable managerial decisions? Nope that wasn't it. Then it dawned on me. Where was Tomas Perez? I checked the roster and sure enough he wasn't on it. He had been released on Sunday and was now with the Devil Rays.

Tomas Perez was all things to all men. He averaged a respectable 205 AB, .249 BA, and 3 HR over his 6 year career (a length of service that ranked only behind Abreu and Wolf) and contributed the occasional clutch pinch hit or dazzling defensive play. He was known for his hilarious clubhouse antics. Most famous for giving the old shaving cream to the face to the player of the game being interviewed by Harry Kalas. Tomas Perez didn't watch the game from the dugout bench. He attentively leaned by the dugout entrance closely following the game and congratulating players. Tomas Perez didn't play one position, he played 8 positions over his career (only has yet to catch in the MLB). They say Gene Roddenbery got the idea for Star Trek from Tomas Perez talking in his sleep. Or maybe that was Bill Brasky, I'm not sure but I am sure that I will miss Tomas Perez this baseball season.