Brothers Perez More Different Than Alike

They are separated by eight years and six lockers, which only suggests the size of the gulf between Pascual and Melido Perez. Brothers in name, they are other than kindred spirits. Teammates for the first time, their presence in consecutively numbered New York Yankee uniforms serves to accentuate the differences.

It is management’s hope that the work habits and durability of the new arrival rub off on the established veteran. Not surprisingly, in Week One of their working relationship, Pascual’s antics have overshadowed his younger brother’s efforts. Melido is merely a player; the older Perez is a personality.

“Melido is not as flashy,” said Hensley Meulens, who played with the recent acquisition in the Dominican League this winter. “He comes in, does his job and goes home. You don’t even know he’s there.”

That is in marked contrast to the approach of Pascual, who manages to draw attention even when he isn’t around. That the 34-year-old truant arrived five days late for spring training was an old story with a new twist. His 26-year-old brother, traveling from the seme country, reported with all the other pitchers.

Since checking into camp, of course, the older brother has set a new standard for style. He is ferried to and from Fort Lauderdale Stadium in a chauffeur-driven land yacht that seats eight, is equipped with various gadgets and gizmos and set the man back $57,000. That led a reporter to inquire what manner of transportation Melido is using. “A rental car,” he replied. So he is, and an economy model at that.

Over the weekend, Pascual proudly offered rides in his stretch limousine to the second member of the family to reach the major leagues. Room remains for three other brothers -- Vladimir, Dario and Carlos, pitchers all -- toiling in the minor leagues, but first the family pioneer must prove he still can pitch. Injuries have limited him to 87 1-3 innings in the first two years of his $5.7-million, three-year Yankee contract.

There may be doubts about Melido’s effectiveness as a starter since the Yankees pried him from the Chicago White Sox bullpen, but he is ready and willing. Unlike his brother, the newest Yankee believes in winter ball. “You never stop learning,” he said. “I like to play the last month of the (Dominican) season so I can work on something.”

It’s an attitude his former manager liked. “I don’t know his brother but I really like Melido a lot,” said Jeff Torborg, who has moved his shingle from the White Sox to the New York Mets. “He’s got excellent stuff and he’s a good person.”

When the manager suggested he go to the bullpen last year after a slow start, Perez wasn’t happy. “He wanted to stay in the rotation, where the money was,” Torborg recalled. “But he made the move and did a great job for us.” Working in long relief, he won seven of 10 decisions and compiled a 2.22 ERA.

In fact, he was so good in the role that management wanted him to stay where he was. He preferred a trade, and the White Sox accommodated him after the Yankees offered Steve Sax. Teaming with his brother, with whom he had never played because of their age difference, was a bonus. “My momma was happy because now we can help each other,” Melido said. “I like to play here. Not just because of my brother but because I like pitching in Yankee Stadium.”

He should. Two years ago, the man pitched a rain-shortened no-hitter against the Yankees. According to Meulens, he looked even better from a teammate’s perspective.

“Every time he pitched (in the Dominican),” Meulens said, “the opposing team would get only three or four hits and one run at the most. He was impressive. Pascual is more of a power pitcher. Melido uses a forkball or split finger and a good slider. He has a good fastball, too, but he doesn’t use it as much.”

What the man also noticed was the size of the crowds whenever Melido pitched. “They’d advertise it,” Meulens said, “and they’d pack the stadium.”

He hasn’t achieved that kind of popularity in the U.S. Perhaps he never will, at least as long as big brother is out front taking bows. In the early days of camp, Pascual’s exits have been among the highlights of camp.

The man walks out of the clubhouse in costumes that would be considered flamboyant even by Las Vegas standards. On Saturday, it was a black-and-white jumpsuit. Sunday’s colors were purple and black. Although both brothers sport gold jewelry, Pascual wears necklaces the size of ropes and medallions bigger than anything on the hood of his vehicle.

Melido tags along in designer jeans and a sport shirt, standard player garb. And when the driver backs the huge limo toward the side door, photographers materialize in the parking lot and fans gather on the ramp leading from the stadium to gawk. Melido may be the kid brother, but it’s the “old man,” as he identified him, who has all the toys.

Then again, the Perez assigned No. 33 is accustomed to being upstaged by Perez No. 34. “We’re different,” conceded Melido, whose hair is short-cropped and whose expression in uniform invariably is serious. “He’s always the center of attention. He likes to talk and likes everybody else to listen.”

As much as they profess brotherly love, they will be maintaining separate residences in the New York area. “I’ve got my family,” Melido said, pointing to a photograph of his wife and three young children in his locker. And Pascual has the child within him to amuse.