Former MLB Star Who Once Troubled Barry Bonds, Announces His Retirement From Baseball

For any player of any sport, one thing remains inevitable; retirement. And it seems like it is time for the former MLB star to bid farewell to the game of baseball. Sadly, veteran pitcher Oliver Perez has announced his retirement after dedicating 19 years to the sport.

Many baseball fans might not be aware of it, but being a left-hander, Perez was a nightmare for several hitters, including the Giants’ legend Barry Bonds.

Perez, who currently plays in the Mexican League, announced that he will not play baseball after the 2022 season.

Oliver Perez troubled Barry Bonds on the ballparks

Before moving to the Mexican League, Perez played a total of 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. During his last season, Perez was the second oldest pitcher in MLB. However, after the 2021 season, the former New York Mets star moved to the Mexican League and joined Toros De Tijuana, where he will now end his professional career.

Oliver Perez was famous for being a left-handed pitcher. And when he was in his prime during the early 2000s, he reigned havoc over none other than the MLB legend, Barry Bonds.

Read more: Barry Bonds Rejected a Huge Move to New York Yankees- Here’s Why

According to renowned media personality, Peter Gammons, Barry Bonds had termed Perez as one of the toughest pitchers he had ever faced in his career.

“Oliver Perez is finally retiring. In the early part of this century, Barry Bonds told me he had the nastiest stuff of any lefty he’d ever faced,” tweeted Gammons.

Oliver Perez in Major League Baseball

Despite being a good pitcher, Perez didn’t establish himself at any MLB side. During his 19-year-long career in MLB, Perez played for a total of eight teams. And interestingly, he didn’t stay more than five years at any of the eight teams he played for.

His longest stint was with the New York Mets, where he played for five years from 2006 to the 2010 season. After making his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in the 2002 season, he went on to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, and the Seattle Mariners.

Not to mention, he also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, and Washington Nationals. Before moving to Toros De Tijuana of the Mexican League, he played three years for the Cleveland Guardians.

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As he hangs his boots now, the baseball community thanks him for the memories and we wish the maestro a happy retirement.