Neifi Perez was a professional baseball player who played as a shortstop and second baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on June 2, 1973, in Villa Mella, Dominican Republic. Perez began his professional baseball career in 1992 when he signed with the Colorado Rockies as an amateur free agent.
Perez made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 1996 and played with them until 2001. During his time with the Rockies, he was known for his defensive skills and was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2000. He was also a reliable hitter, with a career batting average of .267 and 64 home runs.
In 2001, Perez was traded to the Kansas City Royals, where he played for two seasons. He continued to be a solid defensive player and was named the American League Gold Glove Award winner for shortstop in 2003. However, his offensive production declined during his time with the Royals, and he was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2003.
Perez played for the Giants for two seasons and was a key player in their run to the National League Championship Series in 2002. He hit .333 in the postseason and helped the Giants reach the World Series, where they lost to the Anaheim Angels.
After his time with the Giants, Perez played for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and the Colorado Rockies (for a second stint). He was primarily used as a utility infielder during this time and was known for his versatility and defensive skills.
Perez's career came to an end in 2007 when he was suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a banned substance. He was released by the Tigers shortly after the suspension and did not play in the MLB again.
Overall, Perez had a successful career in the MLB, playing for 12 seasons and earning a reputation as a reliable defensive player. He finished his career with a .267 batting average, 64 home runs, and 404 RBIs. Despite his suspension, Perez remains a respected figure in the baseball community and is remembered for his contributions to the teams he played for.
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