Eddie A Brave Again

BravesCenter.Com Editor Bill Shanks has learned that the Braves have signed former Atlanta and Milwaukee catcher Eddie Perez to a two-year contract.

The Braves have signed former Atlanta and Milwaukee catcher Eddie Perez to a two-year contract.

Perez spent the 2003 season as the starter for the Milwaukee Brewers. He hit .271 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI in 350 at bats. The right-handed hitting Perez hit .342 against left handed pitching. Defensively, Perez threw out 23.8% of attempted baserunners.

C Eddie Perez: 2002-2003 Statistics

Year	Team	AB	Hits	Average	2B	HR	RBI	Runs	SB
2002	Milwaukee	350	95	.271	17	11	45	26	0
2003	Cleveland	117	25	.214	9	0	4	6	0

The 35 year old Perez was originally signed by the Braves as a non-drafted free agent on September 27, 1986. He spent nine full seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut with Atlanta in September of 1995.

Perez assumed the duty of Atlanta's primary backup catcher in 1996. He also became Greg Maddux's designated catcher.

When Javy Lopez went down with a season-ending injury in July of 1999, Perez stepped in as Atlanta's starting catcher. He hit .249 during the regular season with 7 home runs and 30 RBI. Then Perez hit .500 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI in the NLCS against the Mets and was named MVP of the series.

	Eddie Perez in 2003

In 2000, Perez appeared in only seven games before being lost for the seaon with a right rotator cuff injury. The injury forced him to also miss most of the 2001 season, as he appeared in only five regular season games.

After acquiring Henry Blanco from Milwaukee, the Braves traded Perez in the spring of 2002 to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Jason Fitzgerald. Perez hit .214 with Cleveland in 42 at bats.

Finally healthy, Perez got a chance to start for the Brewers in 2003 and was very productive, putting up career highs in home runs, RBI, and at bats.

Perez, always a favorite of Braves Manager Bobby Cox, will backup Johnny Estrada, but you can expect him to get a good number of at bats. He can also play first base in an emergency. ***