Odalis Perez, a former big-league pitcher, died Thursday in a car accident at his home in the Dominican Republic, according to several media sources. He was 44 years old.
According to Perez’s attorney, Walin Batista, the left-hander allegedly fell from a ladder while alone at home. Perez was discovered by his brother after he arrived at the house.
“We don’t know the exact cause of death, but everything points to Odalis falling down a ladder,” Batista told ESPN. “It’s a tragedy.”
Perez played in the major leagues for ten years, beginning with Atlanta at the age of 20 in 1998. After three seasons with the Braves, Perez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a four-player deal that sent Gary Sheffield to Atlanta.
Perez made the All-Star Game for the first time in his career in his first season in Los Angeles, 2002, and concluded the season with career highs in wins (15), starts (32), ERA (3.00), and strikeouts (155). That year, he also hit his lone career home run.
Perez concluded his career with a 73-82 record and a 4.46 ERA in 252 innings pitched (221 starts). He also played for the Kansas City Royals (2006-07) and the Washington Nationals (2008-09). (2008).
