Neifi Pérez

Neifi Neftali Perez Diaz

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut August 31, 1996
• Final Game July 5, 2007
• Born June 2, 1973 in Villa Mella, Distrito Nacional, D.R.

BR page

Biographical Information

Neifi Perez was one of the most-penalized players in the first years of baseball's new steroid and performance-enhancing drug rules. He was suspended on July 6, 2007, the second time he had been caught in violation of the rules. Less than a month later, before he had finished serving that suspension, he was caught again, this time being suspended for 80 days. As a player could be only suspended once per substance use, Perez had used something improper within that period. He was the only major league player suspended by baseball for stimulant use from 2006 through August 4, 2007. The suspension effectively ended his career.

He played point guard for the Dominican Republic's Junior National Basketball team.

When he was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2001, Perez left the Colorado Rockies as their all-time leader in triples with 49.

In 2012, he was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame along with Joaquin Andujar. Perez had made the All-Tournament Team in both the 1998 Caribbean Series and 1999 Caribbean Series.

Notable Achievements

• NL Gold Glove Winner (2000)
• NL At Bats Leader (1999)
• NL Triples Leader (1999)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1999)

Related Sites

• Neifi Pérez at the SABR Bio Project