5 Things We Learned From David Peralta

Over the last year, La Vida Baseball has had the opportunity to speak with Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta on a number of occasions. He tells great stories about coming from Venezuela, his long journey to the big leagues, and his family. Here are five things we’ve learned about Peralta.

1. He used a translator when he started seeing his wife.

“I met my wife in a restaurant in Jupiter (Florida). She was in college there and I didn’t speak any English at all at the time. My roommate spoke both Spanish and English, so every time I wanted to go somewhere I would ask him if he wanted to come with and hang out. So he was my translator. But one day I figured out they were talking and laughing and I was like ‘hey, I like her,’ so I decided to learn English for myself. She was my motivation to learn English.”

2. He worked in McDonalds to afford the trip to play ball.

Peralta was living in Florida and signed with an independent league team in Texas. “I didn’t have enough money to buy a plane ticket, but when I Google’d [the distance] it was like 1,500 miles and I needed money for gas. One of my good friends was an assistant manager of a McDonalds and said he could help me out. It was my first real job.”

3. His wife wouldn’t let him quit.

“I was in a really big slump – like 0 for 30 big – and I called my wife one day and told her I want to give up. I told her I couldn’t do it any more. I remember exactly what she told me. ‘You know what? Get yourself together and don’t call me like that. You can do it, you’re going to get out of this slump. You’re too good. I don’t want to hear that you want to quit.’ I needed to hear that. Soon after that call I started to hit really well.”

4. He offered his manager cookies when he got called up.

“I was in Chattanooga and my mother-in-law and father-in-law came to see me for three or four games. It was a Sunday and at like midnight our manager Andy Green called me. I didn’t pick up the first time but he called again and asked if he could come talk to me in my room. I got nervous that I was going to be released, or maybe they were sending me to Triple-A.

“My mother-in-law brought me cookies because I love cookies. When Andy got to my room I offered him one and told him where that my in-laws were in town for a few days. He said they were going to be disappointed because I was going to ‘the show.’ I asked if he was kidding and he said ‘no, you’re going to the big leagues.’ I started crying and called my wife right away.”

5. He became a U.S. citizen.

“Unfortunately, Venezuela is having a a harsh situation right now and it’s hard for me to go back there and have family there. I always say the United States gave me the blessed opportunity to become a better person because of baseball. I’m living here full-time now with my wife, so I became a citizen.”

Featured Image: Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport