Along with fellow stars Pete Rose and Johnny Bench, Pérez was a key member of Cincinnati's celebrated "Big Red Machine". Following a thirteen-year initial stint with the Reds (1964–76), he played for the Montreal Expos (1977–79), Boston Red Sox (1980–82) and Philadelphia Phillies (1983) before returning to Cincinnati for his final three seasons (1984–86). He finished his career with a .279 batting average, 379 home runs, 1,652 runs batted in and 1,272 runs scored. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

This Rawlings official MLB baseball was signed by Perez in blue ballpoint pen and inscribed "HOF 2000." This baseball includes a Great Moments COA.