Along with Pete Rose and Johnny Bench, Tony Perez starred on one of the most dominant ballclubs to ever play the game – Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine.” Though the team is best known for its back-to-back World Championships in 1975-76, the roots of the dynasty stretch way back into the late 1960s when Tony Perez became the team’s starting third baseman. The Cuban native had his first big season in 1968 when he hit .282 with 28 home runs. Perez’s breakthrough season coincided with the arrival of Johnny Bench who was voted that year’s Rookie of the Year, sparking a 10-year stretch that would see Cincinnati winning 6 division titles, 4 NL pennants and two World Championships.

Used during his first big season, Tony Perez’s 1968 Adirondack 220A model bat shows outstanding use with a handle crack. The barrel is covered with ball marks with stitch impressions along with black ink transfers and bat rack paint streaks. The handle crack was once secured with nail which have been removed when it was professionally repaired. The model number “220A” is stamped into the knob end and the barrel lettering shows wear from frequent use. An impressive Perez gamer from the very beginning of “The Big Red Machine” era. The bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B15860) for the game use.

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