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Salvador Pérez

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the Spanish soccer player born Salvador Pérez Martínez, see Salva Chamorro.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Pérez and the second or maternal family name is Diaz.
Salvador Pérez
Pérez with the Kansas City Royals in 2015
Kansas City Royals – No. 13
Catcher / First baseman
Born: (1990-05-10) May 10, 1990 (age 34)
Valencia, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 10, 2011, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.267
Hits1,571
Home runs273
Runs batted in916
Teams
Career highlights and awards

MLB records

  • Most home runs by a catcher, single season (48 in 2021)[1]

Salvador Johan Pérez Díaz (born May 10, 1990), nicknamed "El Niño" and "Salvy",[2] is a Venezuelan-American[3] professional baseball catcher and first baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is a nine-time MLB All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award winner, four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Roberto Clemente Award winner, and received the World Series Most Valuable Player Award when the Royals won the 2015 World Series. He represents the Venezuelan national team on the international level.

While Perez played catcher almost exclusively for the first 11 years of his career, he has also spent considerable time at first base since the 2023 season, and has played the most games of his career at first base in 2024, appearing there in 49 games, 44 of which he has started.[4] This is partially due to the damage Perez's knees sustained after playing catcher professionally almost every game for over a decade.[5]

Pérez holds the single-season MLB record for most home runs as a primary catcher with 48, surpassing Johnny Bench, who hit 45 during the 1970 season.[6]

Early life

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Pérez was born in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. He was abandoned by his father at age four and raised by his mother, Yilda Díaz. When he was eight, they relocated to Valencia to live with Yilda's mother, Carmen de Díaz. Yilda supported the family by selling homemade cakes, flan, and lasagna.[7]

To keep her only child busy, Yilda enrolled him in a baseball school in Valencia, where he showed an ability to throw, catch, and hit balls as young as age six. He played pitcher and shortstop with teams competing in state and national tournaments. At age eight, he indicated his preference to play catcher, and, at 14, set his mind to playing that position professionally.[7] Pérez played with and against current Major Leaguer and fellow Venezuelan second baseman Jose Altuve during his boyhood.[8]

Professional career

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Minor Leagues

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Pérez was signed by the Royals for $65,000 when he was 16 years old.[9] His minor league career began in 2007 when he was placed in the Arizona Complex League.[9] In 2008 and 2009, Pérez played for the Burlington Royals and Idaho Falls Chukars. In 2010, Pérez was promoted to the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks. In 2011, Pérez was promoted again, and played for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.[10]

Kansas City Royals

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2011

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Pérez was called up to the majors for the first time on August 10, 2011, and debuted against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.[11][12] He picked off two baserunners, caught five popups – both uncommon occurrences for the Royals that season – recorded his first RBI in the 4th inning, and first hit in the 7th inning.[7] On August 29, Pérez hit his first Major League home run against Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers. In that game, Pérez was a triple away from hitting for the cycle. In his rookie year, he batted .331/.361/.473 with 3 home runs and 21 runs driven in, in 39 games played.

2012

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On February 27, 2012, Pérez signed a five-year, $7 million extension that included three club options and placed him under team control through 2019. His earning potential was up to $26.75 million if he reached all of his incentives and all of his options were picked up. The extension covered his pre-arbitration seasons, two of his three arbitration-eligible years, and, if all of his options are picked up, his final arbitration year and his first two years of free agency.[13] Pérez earned $750,000 in 2012, $1 million in 2013, $1.5 million in 2014, $1.75 million in 2015 and $2 million in 2016. His options were $3.75 million in 2017, $5 million in 2018 and $6 million in 2019.

Pérez (right) and Ervin Santana with the Kansas City Royals in 2013

While catching a bullpen session before a spring training game in 2012, Pérez tore the meniscus in his left knee.[14] He did not return until July 2. In the 2012 season, he hit .301/.328/.471 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs in 79 games played.

2013

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On July 16, 2013, Pérez was the catcher for Mariano Rivera in Rivera's final All-Star Game before retirement. After the season, Pérez was awarded the American League Gold Glove Award for his defense at catcher.[15] He finished the year playing 138 games with a .292/.323/.433 average, 13 home runs, and 79 RBI.

2014

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In 2014, he logged more starts (143) than any other catcher in the Major Leagues.[16] Pérez played in 150 games in 2014, batting .260/.289/.403 with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, and 70 RBI.

In the 2014 American League Wild Card Game, Pérez singled down the left field line in the bottom of the 12th inning, knocking in the winning run to lift the Royals over the Oakland As 9–8.[17]

In Game 1 of the 2014 World Series against the San Francisco Giants, Pérez hit a home run off eventual series MVP Madison Bumgarner, representing the only run given up by Bumgarner in five World Series appearances covering 36 innings. Pérez was the final out of the series, popping out to Pablo Sandoval in foul territory to clinch the series for the Giants.[18]

Pérez batting in 2015 American League Division Series

2015

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In 2015, Pérez was voted to start in the 2015 All-Star Game, his third All-Star appearance.[19]

Pérez batted .364 in the 2015 World Series, which the Royals won in five games. In the Series-clinching win, Pérez grounded to third in the ninth inning allowing the tying run in the Royals' comeback. The game continued into extra innings. In the 12th, Pérez singled to right with no outs and Jarrod Dyson pinch ran for Pérez. Dyson would eventually score, giving the Royals their first lead of the night. The Royals won 7–2 in the twelfth inning, making them the 2015 World Series Champions.[20] Pérez was unanimously named the World Series Most Valuable Player.[21] He is the first catcher to win the award since 1992 and the second Venezuelan to win World Series MVP.[22]

In the 2015 season, he played in 142 games while batting .260/.280/.426 with 21 home runs and 71 runs batted in. He also won his third consecutive Gold Glove Award.[23]

2016

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On March 1, Pérez signed a five-year extension to remain with the team through the 2021 season.[24] Perez was named to his fifth consecutive All-Star Game as the starting catcher for the American League along with teammate Eric Hosmer. Pérez would finish the 2016 season batting .247/.288/.438, hitting 22 home runs (more than any other American League catcher) and driving in 64 runs en route to his first career Silver Slugger award. He had the lowest number of pitches per plate appearance in the major leagues (3.43).[25] He won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award on November 8.

2017

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Pérez hit his first career grand slam on June 21, 2017, helping the Royals to a 6-4 come-from-behind win against the Boston Red Sox.[26] On August 6, Perez was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to an intercostal strain.[27] He played 139 games in 2017, batting .268/.297/.495 with 27 home runs and 80 RBI.

2018

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On March 28, 2018, Pérez suffered a grade 2 tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee while carrying a suitcase up a flight of stairs. It was deemed to be a non-baseball injury, and Perez was ruled out for 4–6 weeks.[28] Perez returned to baseball activities with a minor league rehabilitation assignment with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Omaha Storm Chasers on April 15,[29] and he returned to the Royals' lineup on April 24 versus the Milwaukee Brewers. On May 10, celebrating his 28th birthday, Pérez hit a grand slam, but the Royals lost to the Orioles 11–6.[30]

Perez at the 2018 All-Star Game

Batting .213 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs, Pérez was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.[31] On September 14, Perez hit his second grand slam of the season in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins, breaking a 4–4 tie.[32]

He finished his 2018 campaign batting .235/.274/.439 with 27 home runs and 80 RBIs. He swung at 48.4% of pitches outside the strike zone, the highest percentage in MLB.[33] He also won his fifth Gold Glove[34] and second Silver Slugger award.[35]

2019

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On February 27, Pérez sustained an injury to his elbow during a workout in Surprise, Arizona. On March 1, an MRI revealed that there was a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow.[36] On March 6, the team announced that Perez had undergone Tommy John surgery to repair the tear and would miss the entire 2019 season.[37]

2020

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During the coronavirus pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Pérez played in 37 of 60 games. On August 21, Pérez was placed on the 10-day injured list after experiencing lingering eye problems.[38] He was reinstated on September 11.[39] In 2020, Pérez batted .333/.353/.633 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, winning his third Silver Slugger award.[40][41]

2021

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On March 21, 2021, Pérez agreed to a four-year, $82 million contract extension with the Royals that will keep him in Kansas City through the 2025 season; the contract was the largest in franchise history at the time. Pérez would earn $18 million in 2022, $20 million in 2023 and 2024, and $22 million in the 2025 season. The contract included a $13.5 million fifth-year club option for the 2026 season or a $2 million buyout.[42] On April 21, 2021, Pérez hit a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9–8.[43] On July 11, Pérez participated in the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby.[44] On August 4, he hit his 27th home run of the season, tying his career high.[45] On August 10, the 10th anniversary of his Major League debut, he hit two home runs in a game against the New York Yankees to give him a new career high of 29 home runs in a season. On August 26 and 27, he hit grand slams on two consecutive nights in games against the Seattle Mariners.[46] On August 29, he hit his 38th home run of the season, breaking Carlton Fisk's 1985 record for the most total home runs hit in a season by an American League player who was a primary catcher (played at least 75 percent of their games that season at catcher).[47] He also homered in his fifth straight game, matching Mike Sweeney's franchise record set during the 2002 season. On September 20, he hit his 46th home run of the season against the Cleveland Indians, breaking Johnny Bench's 1970 record for the most total home runs hit in a season by a primary catcher, and moving him past Sweeney for second place on the all-time list for home runs as a Royal, with 198.[48][49][50] On September 29, he tied Jorge Soler for the Royals team record for most home runs in a season, with 48.[51]

Pérez finished the season batting .273/.316/.544 with 48 home runs and a league-leading 121 RBIs, winning his fourth Silver Slugger award.[52] His 48 home runs tied with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays for the most in MLB, giving Pérez two-thirds of the batting Triple Crown. He swung at a higher percentage of pitches outside the strike zone than any other major leaguer, at 48.3%, and a higher percentage of all pitches, at 58.9%.[53]

2022

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On May 17, 2022, Pérez sprained his left thumb and was ruled out for ten days.[54] On June 24, 2022, Pérez had surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb after aggravating the previous injury in a game versus the Los Angeles Angels on June 21. He was initially ruled out for at least eight weeks, but Royals team staff hoped he could return during the 2022 season.[55] On July 29, 2022, Pérez returned to the Royals' lineup versus the New York Yankees.[56] He played in only 114 games in 2022, batting .254/.292/.465 with 23 home runs.

2023

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Perez in 2023

On March 30, 2023, Pérez was named as the Royals' captain, becoming the fourth Royals player to receive the honor.[57] In 2023, he had the lowest walk percentage in the AL (3.3%), while batting .255/.292/.422 in 538 at bats with 19 walks (6 intentional) and a career-high 135 strikeouts.[58]

2024

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On April 13, 2024, Pérez hit his 250th career home run, becoming the 12th primary catcher in AL/NL history to reach that milestone.[59] On July 7, 2024, he earned his 1,500th base hit.[60] He finished the season with a career high in base on balls with 44. He batted .271/.330/.456 with 27 home runs and 104 RBI.[61]

Personal life

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In the offseason, Pérez resides in his hometown with his wife, Maria Gabriela, sons Salvador Jr. and Johan, and daughter, Paulina. On January 24, 2020, Pérez became naturalized as a U.S. citizen, taking the oath of citizenship at the Royals' annual FanFest.[62]

In a game near the end of the 2013 season, teammate Alcides Escobar sprayed Pérez with Victoria's Secret women's perfume and told him he would get four hits, a prediction which came true; Pérez continued to wear perfume during games as a good-luck charm, switching to 212 VIP cologne by Carolina Herrera in 2014.[9][63]

Pérez delights fans with his positive attitude and humorous postings on social media. In the 2014 and 2015 seasons, Pérez made a habit of playfully pestering teammate Lorenzo Cain by taking videos of him and posting them on Instagram.[64] Pérez is also well known for giving a Gatorade shower ("Salvy Splash") to teammates during television interviews after every home win and notable away wins.[65][66]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Tied with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Most Home Runs By A Catcher In A Single Season In MLB History". StatMuse. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Dodd, Rustin (August 25, 2017). "How Royals catcher Salvador Perez earned the nickname 'El Niño'". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "Royals' Salvador Perez becomes U.S. citizen at team's fan event". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 25, 2020. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Salvador Perez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Rogers, Anne (August 27, 2023). "Team first and first base for Salvy". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "Most Home Runs By A Catcher In A Single Season In MLB History". StatMuse. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Kaegel, Dick (September 22, 2011). "Mom's support has Perez on Royals' fast track". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Snyder, Matt (July 14, 2014). "From childhood friends to AL All-Stars: Salvador Perez, Jose Altuve". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Kepner, Tyler (October 21, 2014). "Lights, Catcher, Action!". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  10. ^ "Salvador Pérez". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Kaegel, Dick (August 10, 2011). "Perez, catcher of the future, called on by Royals". MLB.com. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  12. ^ Novak, Frank (August 10, 2011). "Salvador Perez promoted to KC". MILB.com. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  13. ^ Dutton, Bob (February 27, 2012). "Royals sign catcher Perez to five-year extension worth $7 million". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012.
  14. ^ "Royals' Perez has surgery to repair torn meniscus". USA Today. Associated Press. March 16, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  15. ^ "2013 Kansas City Royals Batting, Pitching, and Fielding Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  16. ^ "Salvador Perez the rock behind Royals' pitching staff". USA Today. October 28, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  17. ^ Tayler, Jon (October 1, 2014). "Watch: Perez gives Royals walk-off win over A's in Wild Card Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  18. ^ Waldstein, David (October 29, 2014). "Bumgarner, a Three-Ring Master, Leads San Francisco to Its Third Title in Five Seasons". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  19. ^ "Royals". kansascity. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  20. ^ "Kansas City Royals vs. New York Mets – Play By Play – November 01, 2015". ESPN. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  21. ^ "Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez named World Series MVP". FOX Sports. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  22. ^ Kahrl, Christina (November 2, 2015). "Royals' Perez MVP with 'no pain,' .364 average". ESPN. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  23. ^ Miller, Doug (November 10, 2015). "Defensive standouts nab Gold Glove Awards". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  24. ^ Perez, A.J. (March 1, 2016). "Royals, catcher Salvador Perez agree to a 5-year extension". USA Today Sports. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  25. ^ "MLB Batting All MLB All Positions Stat Leaders, 2023 Postseason". ESPN.
  26. ^ Eskew, Alan (June 21, 2017). "Salvador Perez's grand slam rallies Kansas City Royals past Boston Red Sox". UPI.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  27. ^ Alexander, Wilson (August 5, 2017). "Salvador Perez placed on DL with intercostal strain". MLB.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  28. ^ "Salvador Perez suffers grade 2 MCL tear after slipping while carrying luggage". ESPN. Associated Press. March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  29. ^ Torres, Maria (April 22, 2018). "The Royals' offense has sorely missed Salvador Perez. His return is finally near". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  30. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (May 10, 2018). "Salvador Perez hits grand slam on his birthday". MLB.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  31. ^ Sloan, Nick (July 8, 2018). "Royals catcher Salvador Perez back to the All-Star game". KCTV Kansas City. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  32. ^ Shapiro, Michael (September 14, 2018). "Watch: Perez hits monster grand slam to beat Twins". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  33. ^ "Major League Leaderboards - 2018 - Batting". FanGraphs Baseball.
  34. ^ McDowell, Sam (November 4, 2018). "KC Royals Gordon, Perez wins MLB Gold Glove awards". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  35. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (November 8, 2018). "6 NL first-timers among Silver Slugger honorees". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  36. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (March 1, 2019). "TJ surgery reportedly recommended for Salvy". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  37. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (March 6, 2019). "Salvador Perez to undergo Tommy John surgery, out for 2019". MLB.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  38. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (August 21, 2020). "Eye ailment sends Salvy to injured list". mlb.com. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  39. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (September 11, 2020). "Perez activated by Royals; Viloria optioned". mlb.com. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  40. ^ "Salvador Perez Stats". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  41. ^ Snyder, Matt (November 5, 2020). "MLB Silver Slugger awards 2020". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  42. ^ Worthy, Lynn (March 21, 2021). "Royals, Salvador Perez agree to franchise record $82 million contract extension". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, MO. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  43. ^ Rogers, Anne (April 21, 2021). "Déjà vu: Salvy's walk-off a familiar sight". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  44. ^ Simon, Andrew (July 11, 2021). "8 ET, ESPN: Sho, Alonso highlight Derby". MLB.com. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  45. ^ Worthy, Lynn (August 5, 2021). "Salvador Perez more dangerous than ever in middle of Kansas City Royals' lineup". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  46. ^ Rogers, Anne (August 28, 2021). "Salvy's slams highlight 'MVP-style' season". MLB.com. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  47. ^ Rogers, Anne (August 28, 2021). "Salvy 'like a video game,' HRs in 5th straight". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  48. ^ Kansas City Royals [@Royals] (September 16, 2021). "Salvy's 45th home run of the season ties him with Johnny Bench for the most in a single season by a primary catcher (75% of games at catcher) in @MLB history. His 197th as a #Royal ties him with Mike Sweeney for 2nd in franchise history. https://t.co/ZghduWSZ0y" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Lewis, Alec [@alec_lewis] (September 16, 2021). "Salvador Perez just tied Johnny Bench's mark with 45 home runs for a catcher who has played more than 75 percent of his games at catcher. A season unlike many others. https://t.co/XDN09TiBUS" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ Simon, Andrew (September 20, 2021). "Most home runs by a catcher in a season". MLB.com. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  51. ^ Worthy, Lynn (September 30, 2021). "Salvador Perez ties Kansas City Royals' home run record, then leaves game with injury". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, MO. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  52. ^ Harrigan, Thomas (November 11, 2021). "'21 Silver Slugger Award winners announced". MLB.com. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  53. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2021 » Batters » Plate Discipline Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball".
  54. ^ "Kansas City Royals star catcher Salvador Perez out at least 2 weeks because of thumb sprain". ESPN. May 18, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  55. ^ Rogers, Anne (April 21, 2021). "Salvy has thumb surgery; Royals eyeing '22 return". MLB.com. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  56. ^ Worthy, Lynn (July 29, 2022). "Sal Perez makes his return from thumb surgery as the Kansas City Royals take on Yankees". Kansas City Star. Kansas City, MO. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  57. ^ Rogers, Anne (March 31, 2023). "Salvador Perez named Royals captain". MLB.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  58. ^ "Major League Leaderboards - 2023 - Batting". FanGraphs Baseball.
  59. ^ "250! Salvy reaches HR milestone with assist from Mets". MLB.com. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  60. ^ "Salvador Perez's 1,500th career hit | 07/07/2024". MLB.com. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  61. ^ "Salvador Perez 2024 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  62. ^ "Royals' Salvador Perez becomes U.S. citizen at team's fan event". ESPN. Associated Press. January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  63. ^ "Salvador Perez sticks with perfume". ESPN. Associated Press. October 24, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  64. ^ Kalaf, Samer (October 2, 2014). "Royals Catcher Salvador Perez Loves Annoying Lorenzo Cain". Deadspin. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  65. ^ Smith, DeAnn; Fanning, Brad. "Royals catcher Salvy Perez's post-game celebrations make big splash". kctv5.com. KCTV. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  66. ^ Rittman, Emily; Pimentel, Donovan. "Perez's Gatorade baths are keeping one dry cleaner busy". kctv5.com. KCTV. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
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