Salvador Perez took some time to reconnect with old friends before returning to the MLB playoffs, catching up with former teammates Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain. This group last played together when Perez and the Kansas City Royals reached the postseason in 2015.
Now, Perez is the only one from that championship team still active in the majors. When asked about being back in the playoffs almost a decade after winning the World Series MVP, the 34-year-old catcher from Venezuela laughed and said, “I feel old.”
The Royals have faced a tough journey to get to October again, now set to play the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series on Tuesday.
They have experienced three seasons with over 100 losses, including a tough 56-106 record last year. Young players like AL batting champion Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, and MJ Melendez were eager to help Perez return to the playoffs.
“They talked about me a lot,” Perez mentioned. “Like, ‘Let’s get Salvy back to the playoffs.’”
In his 13th season, all with Kansas City, Perez made his ninth All-Star team this year. He has five Gold Gloves and a career batting average of .267, with 273 home runs, 916 RBIs, and a .762 OPS.
However, those with the Royals see him as more than just his stats.
“He’s a Hall of Famer. I mean, I learned so much from him. He does all of his homework, as well. We brainstorm before the game. He’s been doing this for a long time. He’s really good at it, obviously. … Just trust him,” said left-hander Cole Ragans, who will pitch Tuesday against Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes.
“I’m looking forward,” Ragans added, “to seeing postseason Salvy.”
