Andres Perez could not bear the thought of being out of baseball.(LS/Aris)

Newark, NJ is the place where Manhattan resident Andres Perez is taking advantage of his second chance.

Perez is a member of the Newark Bears Baseball Club, an independent team affiliated with The Atlantic League.  The roster is loaded with familiar names of ex-major leaguers like Carl Everett, Alberto Castillo, Scott Williamson, Ramiro Mendoza, Armando Benitez and Willie Banks.  Managed by one of the greatest leadoff hitters of his time, Tim Raines, the Bears are fighting for a playoff position as much as a fan base.

Located about 15 minutes from Yankee Stadium, the Bears are the biggest bargain in pro sports.  Once you enter Riverfront Stadium, it’s a fan friendly environment.  Once you get past the roster of familiar names, get your sharpie ready cause you will make out like a bandit with autographs.

Back to Perez, who recently was released by the Tampa Yankees ending his tenure with the organization.  The 25 year old was given his walking papers at the end of spring training making it too late to latch on with another club.  Perez came back home to New York and immediately worked the phones playing the role of agent.  A kin of legendary Grambling football coach Eddie Robinson contacted Raines who invited Perez to a tryout.

Playing second base and is currently batting .306 with 17 Homeruns and 54 RBI’s (LS/Aris)

Raines liked what he saw from the 6ft, 200lb and outfitted him in a Bears uniform.  Perez was thrown right into the mix, playing second base and is currently batting .306 with 17 Homeruns and 54 RBI’s.  He bats third in the lineup and is developing a following for his smooth approach to the game and his humble ways. 

Perez spends his time in the gym, as his chiseled physique shows.  He prepares himself for the games by fielding grounders and taking batting practice while picking each and every one of his veteran teammate’s brains.  His mind is like a sponge as he soaks in advice from cleanup hitter and owner of 1,304 major league hits, Carl Everett. 

Perez’s game can only get better as he is surrounded by years of major league experience and it is showing in his game.  He is taking full advantage of his chance hoping another opportunity comes up in his pursuit of playing for a major league organization.  In the meantime uniform number 39 will do what he can to help lead the Bears into the playoffs as he get his act polished for bigger things in the very near future. 

So take a ride over the George Washington Bridge and witness the biggest bargain in pro sports, and don’t forget your sharpie. 

Go to www.newarkbears.com for more information.     

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