The Kansas City Royals are going through more than a good time, adding four consecutive victories and continuing to fight side by side for the top of the American League Central division.
This team, which many underestimated at the beginning of the season, is proving to be a real surprise, playing .612 ball, a much better percentage than several teams such as the Houston Astros or the Texas Rangers, current Major League Baseball champions.
At the center of this dazzling success is Salvador Pérez, the valuable Venezuelan player who seems destined not only to play baseball, but to lead teams to greatness. This past weekend, Pérez experienced one of those epic moments that remain etched in the history of sports. Not only did the Royals notch a spectacular three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium, culminating in a blowout 8-4 victory on Sunday, but Perez also had the opportunity to reunite with his teammates from the AL champion team. American League in 2014.
During the emotional tribute ceremony on Sunday, Pérez shared endearing moments with iconic figures such as Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas, who were fundamental pillars of the 2014 championship team.
“Oh yeah, it was really special to see all these guys come back here. I think it is more special to see them in the clubhouse,” Pérez shared with emotion at the end of the meeting. “Being around them before the game and remembering when we played together.”
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Pérez spent time with his former manager Ned Yost in the series finale against the Athletics last weekend.ED ZURGAAFP
Although almost 20 former members of the Royals returned to Kansas City for this occasion, Pérez showed that his brilliance on the diamond is far from extinguished. With two hits and an RBI on Sunday, he was a remarkable 6-for-11 with four RBIs in the entire series. His leadership on the field has him dominating American League statistics in batting average and leading figures in runs batted in and on-base percentage.
At 34 years old, Pérez is a living testimony that experience can be a powerful weapon when combined with passion and dedication.
In a sport where young promises often monopolize the spotlight, Pérez continues to shine both behind the plate and with the bat. With an impressive .341 batting average, he is challenging the best for the American League batting title. On Monday, Perez added more fire to his legend by hitting his ninth home run of the year in the Royals’ 8-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
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“I feel pretty good. Thank God,” said Pérez. “I continue working hard and trying to help my team win,” about the performance he achieves every day.
His former teammates are impressed and proud of his career. “He’s a guy who went from catching 140 to 150 games a year and everyone said, ‘Hey, that’s not going to last, you can’t do that,’” Hosmer recalled. “And he was very determined to continue doing it, because he loves to play. “I’m very proud of him and he’s gotten better and better, which is kind of mind-blowing to really see what he’s accomplished and how much better he’s gotten.”
With a 30-19 record, the Royals are 10 or more games over .500 for the first time since the 2015 season, the year in which Pérez was named World Series MVP and the Royals were crowned champions after 30 years of drought. Now, nine years later, Pérez continues to be a key piece in the search for another title.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Salvy lead a completely different group of guys to the playoffs and the World Series,” said former Royals closer Greg Holland. “It would be something really special.”
For baseball fans, Salvador Pérez’s story is not only a testament to talent and dedication, but also an inspiration that transcends the playing field. His performance in 2024 not only greens his career, but also fuels the passion of a new generation of players and fans in Kansas City and beyond. Salvador Pérez is showing that, despite the years, his heart and his bat still have a lot to offer.
Big numbers in the 2024 season
At bats: 170
Batting average: .341 (First in the American League)
Home Runs: 9
RBIs: 38 (Second in the American League)
Related news
OPS: 969 (Second in the American League)
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2024-05-21 20:49:35
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