2005

Other than a wildly anomalous 1998, Perez has been your garden-variety backup catcher for a decade and, at one time, Greg Maddux's preferred antidote to whatever it was about Javy Lopez that bothered him so much. He's usually an uninspired addition for most teams, but he's as capable as any number of other caddies. He'll probably be a manager one day.

2003

Some catchers have great defensive reputations, or are known for their ability to mentor young pitchers, or young catchers. Eddie Perez was once Greg Maddux’s personal catcher. He’s a free agent, and might bring his particular skill set to your town any day now. There’s a secret society of backup catchers, who once they’re out of the game take front office jobs and make sure that their younger members are never without a job. Anyone with a better explanation for Perez’s longevity can drop us a line.

2001

A nice guy catches a bad break: Eddie Perez tore his right rotator cuff in May, ending his season. He's nothing special offensively or defensively, Greg Maddux's blessing notwithstanding. Perez played winter ball and will be back as the Braves' backup catcher this year.

1998

The opposite of Greg Myers. Perez is a better defensive catcher than Myers or Lopez, and Greg Maddux likes him. He doesn’t really help you win games. He is handy as an illustration of the problem with catcher’s ERA, though. Perceived as young, is actually already on the downside.

1997

One of the many playful inhabitants of “Rip Taylor’s Backup Catcher Safari.” You drive through in your Ford Taurus and see them in their natural habitat. If Greg Maddux decides that he wants you call his game, though, you’re gonna be employed a long time, even if you hit like Marc Sullivan or something.