Episode Transcript
[00:00:10] Speaker A: Hello and welcome. I'm Danny Torres, and thanks for once again tuning in for another exciting talking 21 podcast. The official podcast dedicated to the extraordinary life and legacy of the legendary 21 throw Welto Clemente Walker. Sadly, before we begin, I recently lost a dear friend who I knew for 16 years, and not only was he a New York native, actually born in Harlem, he also loved the game of baseball. He was a huge Yankees fan as an all star infielder. He was scouted and actually went on to play for a few teams in the negro leagues. His career was briefly cut short as he did a 21 month stint in the army during the Korean War. He later signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, but because the pay was much better in the negro leagues, he would move on to play for two years with the legendary Kansas City Monarchs. Not only did he earn a college degree, including his master's, he also taught at the university level, worked for the New York City Housing Authority, and yet always spoke fondly of his days in the negro leagues. This year he celebrated his nintieth birthday, and just a few months ago, he was featured in a Toyota commercial driving around Kansas City in a brand new Highlander with a stop at the Negro Leagues Museum and Kaufman Stadium. I'm going to miss James Robinson Jr. But to everyone, whether it was signing autographs at the annual MLB fan Fest Negro leagues booth, speaking at a saber convention, a baseball discourse, or even on the Upper east side in Manhattan where he lived for over 40 years, we affectionately called him Jim. Godspeed, my friend. A sad way to connect Jim with the talking 21 family. But I wanted my listeners to know who this extraordinary negro leaguer was. He will be missed.
So episode four is here, and boy, that was quick. Our next guest knows plenty about playing in the four classic, but right now, when I think of another National League team, the Cincinnati Reds, immediately, without hesitation, the Big Red machine comes to my mind. I mean, that was a hell of a team that dominated, simply dominated throughout the 1970s. Especially two teams, 1970, 519 76. And on those teams there were three future Baseball hall of Famers, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez. Could the 75 76 teams be considered the greatest MLB teams ever assembled? It definitely makes a rather lengthy discussion, but I'm anxious because right now I'm ready to introduce our next guest. He was a two time World Series champion, a seven time all star first baseman who belted 379 homers, he accumulated 1652 rbis and a 23 year career, and he even earned the mvp in the 1967 All Star game by hitting a game winning home run in the 15th inning off another future hall of Famer, Jim Catfish Hunter. This Cuban proudly wore number 24, and he's batting cleanup for the talking 21 podcast.
[00:03:53] Speaker B: I'd like to also convey my sincerest condolences to the families of Baseball hall of Famers Al Kaline, Tom Seaver, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, and Whitey Ford. You'll hear our next guest share his personal thoughts on Siever, Brock, and Gibson. But sadly for our next guest, this recent passing of another Baseball hall of Famer hit closer to home because not only were they both enshrined in Cooperstown, but they were all star teammates on the Cincinnati Reds World Series champions, but most importantly, brothers on and off the field. Sadly, the untimely passing of Joe Morgan happened after we recorded this episode, but I'm sure Tony Perez will have plenty to say about one of the greatest second basements ever to play this extraordinary game.
The talking 21 family extends our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Morgan family and his teammates on the Big Red machine. And here is episode four of talking 21 with Tony Perez.
[00:05:17] Speaker A: So thanks again for being on our show today, talking 21 podcast and before we begin, I want to tony convey my sincerest condolences on the loss of Tom Siever, Lou Brock, and Bob Gidson. When you think of these extraordinary players, what comes to mind?
[00:05:41] Speaker C: Well, I play well against all those guys, and they really are great players. I mean, they play hard, they play to win, and they compete. And really, you're talking about the two greatest speeches of all time on Tom Sievers and Buck Gibson and a great player, great outfielder and great base runner. On know, talking about them is like telling everybody what they know because they watch, they play, they know what they did for the team and what they did for the fans.
They love it. They love it. Brock and Gibson was the favorite in st. Louis. Great city. Great baseball city.
And sieber in New york. Fantastic. Mr. Great. I mean, every time I face those go, you go one for four. You got a good, was, that was tough. I mean, you got to have a great team to play those guys. We have a great team when I play with the Reds, but that was tough to beat him, really. I remember all those guys and I'm very sorry about it. They lost defense in st. Louis and New york and the teams and the very, my condolence to all the family and great, great ball players.
[00:07:23] Speaker A: The baseball hall of fame is a fraternity of extraordinary ball players. And my heart goes out to you, tony, because certainly I know you got an opportunity to know them very well. Obviously, you were competitors on the field, but outside of the lines, I'm sure you guys developed an unbelievable relationship.
I want to switch gears, tony, because there's a beautiful caribbean island where you was born, the island of Cuba. Tell our listeners a bit about your childhood and who really is responsible. We know who scouted you. We know who is a part of bringing you into the baseball fraternity 60 years ago. But tell me, tell the listeners of talking 21, who really introduced Tony to the game of baseball.
[00:08:07] Speaker C: I raised in a small town, central violeta, and come away and really not much to do there. Just work the factory, working for three or four months. You have to work hard. And the rest of the year, the rest of the year is no jobs. I mean, they stop. Everything stops. And you had to do something else. Baseball was, well, we have a team there, factory have a team. And I watched those guys play and I raised watching those guys play and that they introduced me to baseball because I loved the game. I used to listen and watching the winter league in Cuba with four teams, Marianao Havana, Sien Fuegos and Amandaris in the winter.
My father used to be a great baseball fan, and we used to watch and listen to radio early in the 60s together with my father and knows the guys who play in the winter league.
They all help me to get interested in baseball and trying to be a professional.
And I watch all those guys play.
And one guy who was big in Cuba was mini minozo. Mini minozo. And Minnie was the guys. Every young player, every teenager want to be like it. It was another great players in Cuba, but Minnie was the big one over there.
I told my mother one time, I say, I want to be like mini minos.
They teasing me because I was skinny. And I went, and they don't believe me. They don't believe I want to play baseball. They say, no, you're going to be working here in the factory.
And I say, no, I don't like to work in the factory, no.
[00:10:22] Speaker A: Did that sadden you a little bit that they didn't really necessarily give you the encouragement or you just were determined, I'm going to play baseball.
[00:10:30] Speaker C: Yes, I was determined to play baseball.
I don't think nobody can stop me.
That's what I did. And then when they called me to enjoy the Cuban Sugar Kings in Cuba, affiliated to the Cincinnati Reds, when they called me to enjoy them in one of the province, to play a better baseball and go to the Cuban Sugar King academic Havana, and that was great. They stopped believing on me and then when. Then I went to a tour with that. One of the team we make with young players go. I even played my hometown with the other team, with the cumin sugar king, and play my home factory team. And they see me play over there and see me around the islands, and then they sign me. I signed in 1960. Professional baseball. Yeah. That's what I. My first year.
[00:11:40] Speaker A: Your hero, as you mentioned, was Minnie Minoso, especially with all those players, those guys like yourself that aspired to be like Minnie. I had the opportunity to meet him, to interview him.
[00:11:53] Speaker C: What.
[00:11:53] Speaker A: What an extraordinary human being. And, you know, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Negro leagues, the founding of the Negro leagues in Kansas City. We know Mini Minoso played in the negro leagues. We also know another player that's very familiar to you, and you helped me out when I was doing a story for the Baseball hall of Fame, El Immortal Martin Diego. So from speaking to Martin Jr. From getting an opportunity to speak to Mini Minoso, any stories they shared with you?
[00:12:25] Speaker C: Well, they told me about it.
I play in 1960 in Geneva, New York. I play with Martin's son, the youngest son, Martin Dihego Jr. And we play, and then we play that year. And when we come back to Cuba, I got the privilege to met. He took me to his father. I told you that already. He told me to his father's work and one of the newspapers in Cuba. And I met him. And I can't believe it, because I hear my father taught too much, so much about him because I never seen him play. And he told me about him so much, and I don't know what to say. When I met him, I was looking, and then he talked to me. And then I started talking and asking questions about it. And he said it was tough to play in the Negro league, but it was great because they give him the opportunity to play, to get out of Cuba and play baseball. When I told my father I met the cried. He almost cried.
[00:13:31] Speaker A: And I know that was very powerful for you. I see it in your face, Losiento Mucco, because certainly that your father talked so much about El Immortal. And here it is. You had an opportunity to meet him. So, Tony, I just wish I was there with you. You mentioned a few minutes ago that you signed in 1960. So that's 60 years ago, your first pro contract. You were only 16 years old, but seven years later, you participated in the 1967 All Star game. And not only did you hit the game winning home run in the 15th inning off another future hall of Famer, catfish Hunter, but I don't know. Tony, if you know this, there were 23 future hall of famers on that team in that game, in the national League and the American League combined. 23 future hall of Famers. So what are your recollections of that game?
[00:14:28] Speaker C: I didn't know it was that many hall of famers. In 2000, I got to the hall of Fame. I see so many familiar faces over there and I say, wow, I play against a lot of hall of fame. But in that game, I didn't know it was that many. And I was looking at those guys like I was in the know, like Willie Mays, Bo Gibson and Marijua. I saw Roberto Clemente, Orlando Sepeda, a guy who, I played winter bowl in Puerto Rico, and I play in the national league and I watch him for so many years and I want to be like them. And then I was there with them. It's unbelievable. I can't believe it. I pinch myself, I say, is it true? But that was great. And then I didn't play at the first nine inning. Riccia Allen party on third base and he played 9th inning, and he hit the home run for the only national league run. And Bruce Robbins, on the other third baseman hit the one for the american league. And then in the 15th inning where I got in, I hit another third basement, hit the home run to win the game. I mean, that was unbelievable.
[00:15:42] Speaker A: That's interesting that you bring it up. It was three third basemen that basically send the ball out the ballpark in the game.
[00:15:49] Speaker C: Yes, we play on the twin light that we had to see early in the game at the time.
And there was a lot of struck out, I don't know how many, but that was a lot.
[00:16:01] Speaker A: You know, Roberto struck out four times in that game.
[00:16:06] Speaker C: Can't believe that Roberto took out four times in that game. That was something. That was a song kind of game. And then when they get darker and then the shadow, the twin light went off and we see the bell better. That's what I came up and hit the huron. That was great. I mean, that was something I never forget because I was mvp of that game.
And I sit there for nine innings without a plane and then I win the game. And my little son, one year old son was there. Wado wasn't born yet.
My son Beethove was with me and my wife.
Let me tell you something a lot of people don't know about it. When I got to the hotel in Anaheim that day, I get in the hotel, I check in and they say, well, no room on my name, I'm in the game. And Tony Perez said, yes, we know that, but it's not room. But wait a minute, let me see this. And then they look at the rooms and then find out one room and say, okay, we're going to give you this room. They were watching hospital. The manager, because he lived in Los Angeles and he didn't going to stay at the hotel and he got the suite and I got that suite from my first Alistair game. I was the MVP. Unbelievable.
[00:17:41] Speaker A: That's a great story.
[00:17:43] Speaker C: We went to the room and my wife saying, what is this?
What kind of room is this?
This is the manager room. That was very sweet.
[00:17:54] Speaker A: It was a sweet, sweet, sweet.
Well, you know that World Series against the Boston Red Sox and every fan knows what Carlton Fisk, who interesting enough was inducted in a hall of fame with you. That memorable, I like to say waving the know, waving it fair in game six. But Tony, you did something in game seven. You didn't necessarily have a great series. Your batting average was below 200. But Tony, game seven, I want you to put the listeners into the batter's box when you were facing Bill spaceman league.
[00:18:32] Speaker C: My first time I faced him that day on the first game he pitched, he threw me that pitch and I swing and they both bounces and I swing at it. And that was embarrassing. I mean, I look at my.
Because we got team and when we do on a pony swing or whatever, they start laughing on the dog out.
I look back to the third base dog out and I saw all my teammates laughing at me.
I laughed too. That was funny. But I was a little embarrassed. And so many people watching the World Series and you make a swing like that. But I never forget that. I say, well, when I face him again, I wasn't looking for that pitch. I wasn't looking for. But I remember what he did. I want to know what he did. He threw it again.
And then the second time he threw me that pitch again and I didn't swing at it. I was looking at it and I looked what he did to throw it and I looked what he did and then I took it. They call him strike on me. They call me strike. I say, okay, that was first pitch. No matter, one strike, I don't care when he threw it again, I got it back here. I know I wasn't looking for what I got because he was throwing me running fast balls away and keep the ball away from me and get really in. He was fishing good, but he made that mistake. He wasn't the dog we were three run down. Was a man on base, one on first. If what I hit one, we get back in the game. When I saw him stop, I say, then I know what's coming and then I can wait on it.
I wait on it. I hit the home run and we got back, we tied the game and win it.
[00:20:28] Speaker A: That at bat, that Homer provided the momentum and the rest is history, right?
[00:20:33] Speaker C: Because we got that type of game, type of team. We need somebody to come back and hit the big one.
And then we go. And that's what we did.
[00:20:45] Speaker A: Tony, I want to turn the clock back a couple of years. Talk about the 1972 National League championship series against the Pirates. Your team beat the Pirates in five games. And especially if we're going to talk about game five, a lot of things happened there, whether it was that wild pitch, whether it's Johnny Bench's home run, when Johnny Bench connects and hits the ball to right field. That was Clemente, sadly his last game ever. Yes, the 3000 fit, which we just celebrated September 30, was his last in a regular season game, but that series was his last game. So talking about Clemente, Tony, what are your recollections of that particular series? So if we have to even tie in Clemente, but just your overall recollections of that series against the Pirates wasn't just Clemente always. You had Willie Stargill, you had Al Oliver. You had some serious firepower there.
[00:21:45] Speaker C: Well, that was a great series. We know we play a powerful team on the Pirates at that. Know you mentioned those guys. Willie was one of my favorite players and strong as a bull. I back up at first bay when he came out because you got to play deep because he can take your teeth out.
And then you play defense against him on the right side.
But they play then we know we got a great team, too. We know we got a good team because all year when we play them, we play games ten to five.
We let a run score. Pitching was a leader there because the offense was so big. But we got confident we can beat him, and we did.
We were down when Johnny hit the home run and tied the game. And then I got a base hit and then George Foster run for me. And then we scored the winning run on the wild ph.
That's the only way we might can win that game because they was playing us tough.
When you play Stargios and Clemente and those guys, you know you had to score a lot of runs. And that's what we did that time.
[00:23:13] Speaker A: Tony, your earliest recollections when you met Clemente for the very first time. What was your impressions of the man?
[00:23:20] Speaker C: Well, I met Clemente.
I played the first time I played against Clemente in Pittsburgh and know I was a fan because I played against him. But during the game, I was a fan watching him play because the way he ran and the bases, the way he played, the outfield, that arm, and that was something you have to enjoy to see, like I can first base and I get the outfield. And then when I sitting on the bench waiting and not hitting, and somebody hit one over there and I saw him and they won her.
I want to watch him. I want to watch him play.
But I make one big mistake in that game.
I was running on first base. I got a hit. I was running on first base.
I'm Corman, one of the first baseman, big left under hitter.
I knew. I watched the outfield as I saw Clemente was playing deep because he got power. And I said, well, it's okay because I want to watch the outfielder, but I can do my running. And then this guy hit up. It was two out.
This guy hit him. Not one out. Excuse me, one out.
He hit a blooper. He got jumped and he hit a blooper to right field. And I know he's going to be a base hit. And I got my jump and I say, I want for third base because I want to get on third was one out. And with a second fly ball, I can score around and then turn around second. I didn't look at the third base coach either. And I just run. And then I say, I'm going to make it easy because he was playing deep and the ball was hitting that hard. And then I get into third base. I saw the third base coach. It was a cuban guy like Reggie Otero, and he was telling me to get down, get down in a hurry. And then I said, what are you doing?
I slide, but when I sliding, the boy just got on the guy's glove, and I can't believe it. I almost stopped in the air when I tried that slide because I say, I want to be out. And that was it. He got me. He was waiting for me and say, I can't believe it. And I look at my coach, he say in Spanish, he say, chiquito, go to the dog out. You know who was there? That's Roberto Clemente.
That's Roberto Clemente. You know, run on him next time. Watch me.
The first time I run against him, I never did again.
[00:26:21] Speaker A: Well, you know, one thing that it's known that a first baseman, his responsibilities, certainly to know where you position yourself. Like you mentioned, a left handed batter such as Al Oliver, Willie Stargill. But certainly when Clemente arrived at first base, maybe he walked, maybe he hit a single. What communication that you have with Clemente? A little small talk as a first baseman to an opposing player.
[00:26:48] Speaker C: Roberto was the leader of us players, the latin players in the village.
Every time in Puerto Rico. One time we met at the same time, and we went to the doctor's office on one of the hospitals, and he was there outside the office. And we talked a lot because he was giving us everything about what we can do. He gave us a good talk. Good talk. He tried to help us. He helped us young players a lot is what I can say about Roberto Clemente. That was him.
[00:27:32] Speaker A: Is there anything that you would maybe tell your pitcher that you would know before the game? Hey, this is the way you got to pitch the Clemente. Is there anything that you can recall that you would kind of give pointers?
[00:27:42] Speaker C: I got a big one. I got a big one. I told my pitchers, I say when Roberto had two strikes, don't throw a ball, a high, fast ball or anything away from him or inside of him. Just threw the ball right down the middle. And he did that one time. One time it works.
He got Roberto and two strikes.
And he looked at me, I say, right down the middle. He threw right down the middle. Roberto took it with the first strike because we threw him a lot of high, fast ball away. He hit a ball but hundred miles to right field because that's the kind of hitter he was prior to his.
[00:28:28] Speaker A: Death, Tony, because obviously you had a very strong relationship with him. Just the way he treated the fans that you saw the other side of Clemente. So it's almost like Tony Perez was not surprised that on New Year's Eve he did that. Did you kind of hear stories about Clemente doing these things off the field?
[00:28:47] Speaker C: Yeah, I hear a lot. All the time. Even I went in Puerto Rico with him and Sepera. We went to give clinics to kids in Puerto Rico. We did that a few times because he called us, he want us to help. Because you used to have that in Puerto Rico, to help the young kids, to give him clinics around the island and things like that. And then when he went to Nicaragua, what happened?
I was with him the day before in the Iran Bizone stadium, collecting things. People was bringing in. I was there and that's the last time I saw him.
[00:29:30] Speaker A: That's interesting to hear that that was the last time you was with Clemente, because I was actually going to ask you that. So you were there at Harambiton Stadium helping Clemente out with medical supplies, relief efforts. So, Tony Perez, for talking 21 listeners, how did you hear the news of the tragedy? Did you hear it over the radio? Did someone tell you? How did you hear that news?
[00:29:57] Speaker C: Well, we live in Islave is not far from the airport. And then we was celebrating New Year's Eve.
And then we even hear about explosion. I hear about explosion. We didn't know what happened, but we didn't know he was going in there. And then later we find out his was on the plane. And there was all the festivities stopped. Everything stopped at Puerto Rico. Nobody, everything stopped. And then the next day we meet at the beach trying to see what happened. But that was sad. Very sad. Something I like to forget, but you can't forget.
[00:30:47] Speaker A: Sadly, Clemente didn't have the opportunity to enjoy what you enjoyed 20 years ago at the baseball hall of Fame induction ceremony. And this year marks the 20th anniversary for you, Tony Perez, going in with Carlton Fisk. Actually, you even was inducted also. Not only Carlton Fisk, your manager, Sparky Anderson.
There was also even a negro leagues player by the name of Turkey Stearns that also went into the hall of Fame that was voted in by the veterans committee. But you mentioned something in your induction speech, your beautiful wife. And you said this to her, Pituka, you said, I am not the only hall of Famer. She's the real one. So now I'm going to ask you this. You had Sparky Anderson, your manager. You've had numerous coaches. You've had players tell you, Tony, I'm seeing you in the batter's box. You're doing this, you're doing that. But if she's the hall of Famer, when you went home, when you arrived home, what did she say to you?
[00:31:57] Speaker C: She was the hall of Famer.
She take care of my kids, take care of me.
And she was great. And she is still great.
It's something, I love her very much. And really, it's something happening in my life. The best thing happened in my life.
[00:32:20] Speaker A: How many years married now, Tony?
[00:32:21] Speaker C: 55.
[00:32:23] Speaker A: So many of us have the opportunity when we're watching a baseball game at home, seeing your wonderful son, Eduardo, with work, doing his work, doing his job of play by play for ESPN, talking a different language, a language that really did not exist and maybe existed in another way. But now it's called baseball analytics. So what is your take, Tony, on today's baseball game? That when you sit down and watch it. Maybe you call Eduardo, maybe when you and Eduardo watch your game, what's your take, your overall take, your impression of today's game? It's a digital technology and it's a different set of numbers. So Tony, what's your take on baseball in 2020?
[00:33:07] Speaker C: Well, the game is different. The game is changing. It's changed already and still changing. And Eduardo, come up to me one day and say you're going to do a game. Analystic I'd say what? Because we don't have past. We didn't hear that. We know, we know the numbers. We know what we got. We know we have to looking at it. You have to have a good number to help your team and make money, whatever. But I never think it's going to happen this way. I say I'm going to do a game with some other two guys and we don't want it because this game got to be different now.
[00:33:48] Speaker A: So now if today's baseball involves that term analytics, I'm just going to ask you point blank, what did Sparky say to you and to your team that made especially, I mean, the talent is there, but there's someone in charge, there's a manager undiri Gente. There's somebody there that maybe it's that pep talk. Maybe he's just very observant. One of the things that I was always impressed with was a manager like Billy Martin. But what was the key with Sparky Anderson, especially with those back to back World Series teams for Sparky.
[00:34:25] Speaker C: And Sparky was very smart. Sparky knew when he took the team, he got a great team. We only need a leader. Stop. We only need pitching because back in the 60s, late 60s, we got a lot of good hitter, good old friends with no pitching. And that's what we never win. We never into the then Spikey, what he did, every time we have a meeting, it's been training, meeting Spikey with everybody. Spikey told the guy, say, listen, we got four guys here who are going to play and be the guys you have to follow.
He was talking about Joe Morgan, johnny Bench, P. Rose and myself.
And then you guys are great. The team, too. You got a group player, but those guys that want to lead you to a penalty, to a penalty race or whatever, to win a penny and you follow them.
And then I take care of the pitching is what he did. And he used to call him a capitan hook because he took a lot of pitches. You use a lot of pitches, you don't give it by the chance. And some of the relievers, I hate that. And they started because they want to stay in the game with Spikey. That's the way he did. And he was successful in that we win because we score a lot of runs and he know how to get the pitching going. And that's what he used to say most of the time.
[00:36:00] Speaker A: That's an interesting take on Sparky, specifically, that he knew who the leaders were, especially offensively. And you mentioned, obviously, we one day hope, and you did mention that in your induction speech 20 years ago about Pete Rose. And certainly I believe that time will come eventually for him.
Finally, Tony. And once again, it's just been an absolute joy to speak with you. But there's something that I wanted to ask you, especially after what occurred on September 9 this year. I was at PNC Park. I had opportunity, the privilege of being one of the lucky media members, to see the entire Pittsburgh Pirate team wear number 21. So for me, and, you know, I live in New York, I told my wife, I said I got to be at PNC park. And I had the opportunity to be there to witness history. I saw it all on social media. I saw a little clip that you put up on social media, on twitter. And I think you know where I'm going with this. But let's just say right now, if Tony Perez, 2000 Baseball hall of Fame inductee, is sitting down with the commissioner of Major League Baseball on the importance of the importance of retiring Clemente's number, what do you believe you would like to contribute? What would you like to say and why you believe it's necessary now, especially that Clemente's number should be retired along with Jackie Robinson throughout Major League Baseball. So you have the moment to speak directly to the commissioner. What would you say to the commissioner?
[00:37:48] Speaker C: Well, I understand Jackie Robinson opened the thing for know to play in the buildings for the latin players, for the american players, for the black american players.
But Clemente was the one who helped on deep for us or the latin players, the latin players. Right now, they got a lot of latin players that are doing great in baseball and they part of baseball. And I think, yes, I don't know if they're going to do it, but I would like to see Roberto Clemente number be on the side of Jackie Robertson. Because the way he play and the way he help us, I had to go for it. I had to say, yes, I would like to see, but Veda Clemente passed away, his wife, but I still had relation with his son Louis. Everything when I talk more, because he live in Puerto Rico and I still going over there in the winter, but we still had the relation with the Clemente family, even with his brother. I met him in the past.
[00:39:15] Speaker A: He's. And he's still very sharp.
[00:39:17] Speaker C: He's still very sharp.
I have to give you one of my bats to him when I come back to he won a hall of fame.
I promised him. I went to his house and see him and his family and I had.
[00:39:32] Speaker A: To bring him a bag and make sure you bring one for Janet and Judith too. Make sure not to.
I love them. I love know you called Roberto Clemente the leader of the latin american ball players in the majors. MLB how do you believe specifically he helped those latin ball players? What can you pinpoint where you could say he really, truly hoped Tony Perez? He truly helped Tony Oliva. He truly hoped Luis tion. What is it specifically about Roberto that made him click? We know the OMA, the language, but where do you say you could pinpoint where he helped the latino ball player?
[00:40:16] Speaker C: He speaks for us every time he says something he not using.
Do it for me for all the latin players. I mean, he didn't use Roberto, only Roberto Clemente.
He only always say the latin player. All the latin players he's talking about which one? Mexican, cuban or Puerto rican or dominican or Venezuela. All the latin players. And then that's what I hear when I met with him is what he say and it's what he told us. He was so depressed too, always again about us and that's what he was delivered. And because I didn't hear a lot of great players too, but I never hear nobody talking for us at that time.
[00:41:07] Speaker A: You became very emotional when you were talking about your father and mentioning Papi. Dad, I met El Mortal malting the ego. So here it is. There have been so many father and sons relationships throughout major league Baseball. The Alu brothers, La Motas. Obviously your own experience of being in the major leagues, along with your son who got to that level to play. I mean, even if we're going outside of it, let's not forget the Alamars Santos, Robbie Santitos. So there has been a long lineage of baseball families of the father and son. The father now sitting in a stands to watch their son play. So can you talk specifically about that relationship?
Talk about the father and son and how the love of the game has been passed down? Because certainly, if you think about it, your father did that. He didn't get an opportunity to play professionally, but he passed his love to you, Tony.
[00:42:15] Speaker C: Well, I got two sons, Victor and the other one. And Eduardo Victor played a little bit at baseball.
He was the one.
He even do it on his own when I wasn't around. He was going to play and do it and do that. And he was always swinging on the house.
One time he breaks something, my wife, something on the house, crystal or something. But he wanted to play the game. He wanted to play baseball. And he was tough early in his career, like in high school, in college, he got hurt. He got hit in the mouth. He got hit in the face.
One week he was playing again.
He love it and he still love it. And what he's doing now, he loves to be on tv and he loves to be on radio. And then he enjoy play the game. But we always communicate. He was here with me yesterday and we came back. We're talking about baseball. We're talking about what going on, on the series now, on the playoff and all that stuff. We're talking baseball and we're still talking baseball. That's the relation we have. The relation I used to have with my mean, I wasn't playing yet, but we're talking about what happened in baseball. And this guy, my team, Diego Mignonzo and all the other, Camilo Pasqua, Tony Taylor, I mean, a lot of the guys, they're playing winter ball in Cuba. And that's the way my communication I have, I give it to my son because we love to talk about the.
[00:44:07] Speaker A: Game and it is a beautiful game indeed. America's pastime is not even America's pastime anymore. It's a global sport. And Tony, I literally can't thank you enough of being on talking 21. The listeners are truly going to hear that we have marked this year as the 20th anniversary of your induction. Congratulations. I love looking at that video. I love when you acknowledge your beautiful wife. And that is a beautiful relationship indeed to watch our father and son continue to enjoy baseball.
[00:44:44] Speaker C: Thank you, Danny. Nice talking to you, too, man. Thank you.
[00:44:47] Speaker A: Thanks so much, Tony. You truly had a remarkable career. And thanks again for also sharing your recollections on the great Florento Clemente until our next episode. Thanks for listening. And please be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram at talking 21 podcast for all the latest information about our episode drops. And if you're enjoying the show, please make sure to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcast. A special thanks to our executive producer, Raci Raz Guevara. Tune in next time for our continued conversation about the great one. And as always, this is your host, Danny Torres. And be sure to follow me on Twitter at Danny T 21. Until next time, adios, proverbs.
