In a triumphant display at Citi Field, Salvador Perez showcased his enduring talent and leadership, guiding the Kansas City Royals to an 11-7 victory over the Mets. With this win, the Royals became the second American League team to reach 10 wins this season, marking a strong start to their campaign.
Perez, the lone remaining player from the Royals’ memorable 2015 World Series championship team, left an indelible mark on the game. His milestone 250th career home run, a 384-foot blast in the fourth inning, underscored his place among the elite catchers in AL/NL history.
“[Reaching the goal] means a lot, especially with the win,” Perez remarked. “I thank God for keeping me on the field and letting me do what I love to do. Hopefully, for many more games.”
But Perez’s impact extended beyond his impressive offensive display. As the undisputed leader of the team, Perez embodies the Royals’ winning culture and sets the standard for professionalism.
Salvy reaches an HR milestone with assistance from Mets
“He has the clubhouse in the same vision. There are no stragglers. If there was, he would stop it,” noted outfielder Garrett Hampson. “We are all moving towards the same goal. We are focused, and that’s how Salvy expects things to be done. We are following his lead.”
Manager Matt Quatraro echoed these sentiments, highlighting Perez’s unwavering dedication to the team’s success.
“The fans of Kansas City have seen [Perez] for 13 years now,” Quatraro said. “For us, to be here every day and to watch somebody like him, as professional as he is, to continue to rack up those accolades, [is] really special.”
Perez’s admiration for his teammates, particularly rising star Bobby Witt Jr., was evident in his post-game remarks. He lauded Witt’s exceptional talent and work ethic, hailing him as the best player he has seen in Kansas City.
“It’s the way [Witt] plays. You can see that, too. He is the best,” Perez praised. “The way he plays. You guys saw how he runs today. He popped the ball to [left-center] field, and he is already on third base.”
In turn, Witt expressed his admiration for Perez, describing him as a role model both on and off the field.
“I hope one day, I can grow up and be like Salvy,” Witt said. “He shows up on the field every day with a smile on his face. He is one of those guys, you are like, ‘Man, this dude is surreal.'”
As the Royals continue their journey through the season, Perez’s leadership, milestone achievements, and unwavering commitment serve as the driving force behind their pursuit of another World Series title.