KANSAS CITY. – Venezuelan Salvador Pérez wrote another golden page in his brilliant career in Major League Baseball by becoming the Latin American catcher with the most home runs in MLB history.
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The historic hit came this Monday during the 4-3 loss of the Kansas City Royals against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium.
Pérez punished a sinker from opener Will Warren in the sixth inning and sent the ball 422 feet to left-center field to connect for the 312th home run of his career and the ninth of the season.
With that home run, the veteran catcher surpassed Puerto Rican Iván Rodríguez as the Latin American-born catcher with the most home runs in the history of Major League Baseball, taking into account players who played at least half of their games behind the plate.
Additionally, Pérez tied with George Brett as the player with the most home runs hit in the history of Kauffman Stadium, both with 136 home runs in the Kansas City stadium.
The hit also consolidated the Venezuelan in seventh historical place among catchers with the most home runs in MLB, approaching the marks of Lance Parrish and Gary Carter.
“It’s special that your name is mentioned alongside Hall of Fame members,” Pérez said after the game. “But it would have been much better to achieve it in a victory.”
Manager Matt Quatraro praised the Royals’ captain’s consistency and mentality.
“Salvador never lowers his head. He keeps working and accumulating historic achievements while trying to help the team win,” said the leader.
At 36 years old, Pérez continues to be one of Kansas City’s main offensive figures. In his recent games, he has shown clear signs of offensive recovery, after a slow start to the season.
The catcher has nine home runs and maintains a solid offensive pace that strengthens his future candidacy for the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.
