Stade Toulousain Baseball returned to the semifinals last year for the first time since 2016, largely thanks to their new coach, Randy Perez. The brother of France’s national team manager, who played in Toulouse and Rouen himself, begins his second season at the helm with high ambitions. On the player side, the Toulouse Tigers have a solid roster of foreign players living in Toulouse, plus two stars playing in the USA: Mathias LaCombe (who won’t play for STB anymore as he’s turned pro) and Kenny Esposito, who might return to France this season.
Baseball TV France meets Randy Perez, for whom “teamwork is essential”
BTVF: First, let’s talk about the 2023 season, which was a good one for Toulouse. Are you satisfied with the final result?
There’s a first level of satisfaction in making it to the top four of the championship, which is really a point of pride for everyone at the club. But I truly believe we had the potential to reach the final. In baseball, anything is possible, and we had the means to seize our chance. That said, what I saw last year makes me optimistic for this year.
BTVF: What kind of coach are you?
For me, communication is essential. I think I’m certainly one of those who talks the most with his players. Because I’m convinced that exchanging ideas helps us progress. And the manager must give the players the confidence they need to show their skills.
BTVF: Do you think you’ve progressed as a manager during this first experience?
Yes, I’ve learned a lot, and I’m not done learning. I had to change my perspective, shifting from player to coach. But in the end, it wasn’t very difficult, because I’ve always played for the team and not for myself, nothing else. Teamwork has always been essential when I played, and it’s obviously still the case as a coach.
BTVF: What will be Toulouse’s objectives?
Win the French Championship.
Kenny Esposito is currently performing in the States
BTVF: Do you rely more on certain players than others to achieve this goal?
Everyone is important, because each player has a different but complementary role. If everyone reaches their potential and understands their role, we’ll surely have another good season.
BTVF: Can you introduce the new players in a few words?
We’ll mainly be promoting young prospects, whose skills and talent we’ve noticed. That’s the club’s policy; development is important.
BTVF: Which opponents do you fear the most?
None in particular. In my eyes, everyone is on the same level, and since we’re playing against all the other teams this year, we need to beat everyone.
The novelty of this season is the locally trained players.
BTVF: Do you think it’s a good idea to give more playing time to young French players?
In a way, it helps the league’s development. For us, there are no specific difficulties; we have very good JFL players, especially on the mound. And they have all my confidence.
BTVF: Compared to your first stays in France, do you think the level of play has changed?
Overall, I think so. But even in my day, in 2006 or 2008, Toulouse and Rouen were playing at a very high level, with excellent individual players, just as good as the best players today.
BTVF: Are you going to play a bit this season?
I don’t think so! I’m at an age where my body simply doesn’t allow me to play at this level or adapt to the speed of the game anymore.
