By John Erardi Cincinnati Enquirer

CINCINNATI – Tony Perez will be cast in bronze, following Big Red Machine teammates Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan, gaining immortality outside Great American Ball Park.

It was announced by Perez himself on stage Sunday night at the Reds Hall of Fame Induction Gala at Northern Kentucky Convention Center, preceding Ron Oester, Dave Parker, Ken Griffey Jr. and Jake Beckley (posthumously) being formally inducted into the Reds Hall, donning the signature red jackets as Hall of Famers.

Bench and Morgan, among the 20 Reds Hall of Famers in attendance who were honored in past years, took the stage as a prelude to bringing up former first baseman/slugger/clubhouse leader Perez. All three are National Baseball Hall of Famers.

The superstar catcher and second baseman, respectively, did a humorous bit, obviously polished by rehearsal, in which Bench said Morgan told him that Bench's bronze was a statue, "but mine is a sculpture.'"

They want on for a while that way, and then brought up Perez for a bit more Bench-Morgan banter, in which Bench hinted there would be a "next" statue/sculpture, and Morgan saying, "Yes, and the next one will be of ..."

"Tony Perez," said Perez, leaning into the microphone, the announcement of which brought a loud ovation from the sold-out gala.

Perez then referred to the likenesses of his two former Big Red Machine teammates at the GABP.

"Joe is stealing (second base) and Johnny is throwing," said Perez, then raising his hands to a batting pose with an imaginary bat, lightly gripping and re-gripping it, in his signature style, "but I'll be hacking."

He beamed as he said it, maintaining the batting pose, and the crowd applauded, some squealing in delight, at the Big Dog (aka "Doggie," in the shorthand) getting the next statue, er, sculpture.

The date for its production and unveiling wasn't revealed Saturday, but it will probably be in 2016, because the Reds have made clear that next year is all about the All-Star Game coming to Cincinnati.