By John Fay
The Cincinnatii Enquirer

MIAMI - Eduardo Perez's trip to Game 3 of the World Series was one big handshake/hug session.

His former Reds teammate Aaron Boone stopped by to say hello. Earlier, Perez congratulated his former Reds manager, Jack McKeon. ESPN commentator Joe Morgan patted Perez on the back. Perez's dad, Tony, a special assistant to the president of the Marlins, was a couple feet away.

"It's good to see everyone," Perez said.

Perez played for the Reds from 1996-98. He spent the last four years with the St. Louis Cardinals. He's developed into a very good bench player. He can play first base, third base, and left and right field. He hit .285 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI in only 253 at-bats last year.

But Perez, as a free agent, is in limbo right now.

"I'd like to go back to St. Louis," he said. "But some things have to be worked out."

Perez made $500,000 last year. He says he's willing to return to St. Louis for a reasonable rate.

"I'm not looking to break the bank," he said.

He would consider a return to the Reds.

"They're a major league team, aren't they?" he said.

"I'd consider anyone in the big leagues. I know the history at Cincinnati. It's a great place to play, a great place to raise a family."

LATE CASE: Sean Casey was also at Game 3. But he didn't get there in time for meet-and-greet. Reds media relations director Rob Butcher got Casey a field pass so he could catch up with Boone during batting practice.

NFL RULES: The Marlins packed 65,000-seat Pro Player Stadium for Game 3. But the hot topic on talk radio in the hour leading up the game was the Miami Dolphins.

Football calls outnumbered baseball calls three to one, at least.

The Dolphins lost 19-13 to New England Sunday. That had the fans all stirred up.

JUAN OUT: McKeon sat former Red Juan Encarnacion in favor of Miguel Cabrera. Both Encarnacion and Cabrera played in Game 1 and 2 because of the DH. Encarnacion is hitting .212 in the postseason.

McKeon has not become a proponent of the DH.