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WASHINGTON – With a list of achievements that qualifies him for the Hall of Fame and the admiration of his peers that resembles that of a seasoned icon, Salvador Pérez has made a mark across two continents through both his performance and charitable activities.

At just 34 years old, Pérez remains one of baseball’s top catchers, continuing to perform at an impressive level and making a return to the postseason after ten years.

The cornerstone of the Kansas City Royals and an influential figure for young athletes in Venezuela, Pérez shows no signs of slowing down. At this stage in his career, he has fully embraced being a role model, whether in his team’s clubhouse or in his home country and adopted city, where he often acts as the welcoming host.

“It’s always nice when others aspire to be like you,” says Pérez. “Especially for your country.”

On Friday night, the Royals secured a playoff spot, marking their first postseason appearance since their World Series win in 2015. At that time, Pérez, then just 25, was named Most Valuable Player, hitting .364 with an .846 OPS and knocking in the game-tying run during a thrilling ninth-inning comeback in Game 5 at Citi Field in New York.

Pérez’s longevity is evident when considering the paths of his contemporaries during that iconic night.

Freddie Fermin, Kansas City’s backup catcher, was just a newly-signed 20-year-old, watching the historic game from a minor league academy in the Dominican Republic.

Seth Lugo, who is now an experienced veteran in his ninth major league season, was at the Mets’ minor league camp in Port St. Lucie, hoping his team could push the Royals to a Game 6. Today, he’s leading the majors with 204⅔ innings pitched and has achieved 16 wins for the Royals.

Pérez? He’s been a constant presence for the Royals, even amidst three challenging seasons where the team lost over 100 games and went through a change in ownership.

But that doesn’t faze him.

“It feels like it was just yesterday,” reflects Pérez.

‘He always lends a helping hand’

Maybe this sentiment comes from how frequently he stays connected with his former championship teammates. When asked which players from the 2015 Royals he still keeps in touch with, Pérez effortlessly lists names like it’s straight from a Baseball-Reference record.

Luke Hochevar, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Jarrod Dyson, Mike Moustakas, Danny Duffy, Wade Davis, Greg Holland—Pérez remains close with all of them.

However, the impact he has on others may far exceed the influence his former teammates have had on him.

Pérez’s home in Kansas City serves as a gathering place for players seeking friendship and a delicious meal. His mother, Yilda, is known for preparing tasty dishes for the many players who drop by.

For the past three years, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander has considered Pérez a close friend, enjoying Yilda’s empanadas and benefitting from Pérez’s mentorship.

“All the experience he has, the time he has in the league, and he’s genuinely a great person,” shares Santander, who has achieved a career-high of 44 home runs this season. “Beyond what he does on the field, he’s supportive off the field, always trying to help you improve.”

“He always provides us with extra support to keep moving forward.”

Pérez embraces his role as a mentor for Venezuelan athletes, following in the footsteps of notable players like Luis Aparicio, Miguel Cabrera, and Victor Martinez. He describes his guests in Kansas City as a vibrant mix of players—from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, to those born in the U.S.—all forged from years of shared experiences.

In Venezuela, however, his influence is profoundly felt.

Veteran MLB infielder Juan Yepez recalls being just 16 while playing on Pérez’s winter ball team, the Tiburones de La Guaira. At the time, Pérez was a 24-year-old beginning his MLB journey.

“I remember his hands being huge! I was just a kid, starstruck, thinking how strong he looked,” said Yepez, a player who has hit 273 career home runs, ranking him 10th all-time among catchers.

“He exemplifies hard work and success in the world of baseball, continually striving to improve.”

These lessons resonate deeply, especially for other catchers.

Keibert Ruiz, the catcher for the Washington Nationals, considers Pérez a neighbor from their hometown in Valencia, Venezuela. They quickly became friends after meeting a couple of years back. Pérez’s influence has inspired Ruiz for over a decade and perhaps even more profoundly

Ruiz, now 26 years old, is reaching the halfway point of his career.

“He motivates me to play baseball,” Ruiz shares, currently in his second year of an eight-year, $50 million contract. “To me, he’s a Hall of Famer. He brings joy to Venezuela, and everyone takes pride in his achievements both on and off the field.

“Many kids aspire to emulate him. I was once in that position. I understand.”

Pérez continues to be a formidable presence offensively, hitting 27 home runs and achieving a .792 OPS, leading American League catchers and ranking second only to William Contreras of Milwaukee. The only nod to his age is the time he spends playing first base or as designated hitter with 48 and 23 starts in each role, respectively.

This situation opens up opportunities for Fermin, who transitioned from a 20-year-old in the Royals’ academy to a player in his third year serving as Pérez’s backup.

“It’s truly an honor for me to be beside him,” says Fermin, 29, originally from Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. “I’m absorbing as much as I can about baseball and life beyond the game. It’s a privilege to be with him.

“When I watched him on TV playing in the World Series, I was ecstatic. And now, I’m by his side.”

What does Pérez represent for Venezuelan players?

“He’s an example. He embodies discipline,” Fermin explains. “Anything can happen. We focus on what we can control.

“But he’s dedicated—despite the circumstances.”

‘He has dedicated his entire adult life here’

Pérez’s remarkable work ethic is well-known; he often stays in the gym after games to maintain his strength and combat age-related decline. He serves as a leader for Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic team.

For the Royals, he holds the title of actual captain, a position he was given before the 2023 season—an honor that took ten years to earn and one that was previously granted only to Hall of Famer George Brett.

“He’s constantly on the field, often playing over 150 games a year at catcher,” remarks Royals manager Matt Quatraro, now in his second season. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen that he’s a remarkable individual. His unwavering attitude has been impressive, especially in light of last year’s challenges. His drive to win is unmatched.

“He puts in immense effort. His leadership comes naturally. People respect him because they recognize his contributions to the community and organization.

“He’s been part of this team for his entire adult life.”

During his time with the Royals, they have faced many more challenging seasons than successful ones. They recorded losses of 90 and 91 games in Pérez’s early years, then achieved 86 wins in 2013. A young, talented group—Hosmer, Moustakas, Alex Gordon, and now this emerging catcher—came together in 2014, culminating in a World Series run where Kansas City advanced all the way to Game 7.

Pérez ended Game 7 by making the final out with a foul pop-up against Madison Bumgarner while the tying run was on third base.

The following year, they found success: Pérez drove in the tying run in the ninth inning and led the game-winning rally in the 12th inning of Game 5. Unfortunately, the Royals have not finished above .500 since, and Pérez also had to sit out the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery.

How does a respected veteran maintain his determination amid such adversity, including a season with 106 losses in Quatraro’s initial year?

“Because we see potential,” Pérez says, who is a father of three along with his wife, Maria Gabriela. “In baseball, opportunities arise. Everyone encounters difficult times in this sport.

“My family inspires me. My teammates drive me to represent Kansas City. I strive to play hard every day, regardless of the situation.”

Pérez’s dedication extends beyond the field. For the third time in four years, he has been nominated by the Royals for the Roberto Clemente Award, recognized as the highest philanthropy honor in baseball.

His good deeds go beyond baseball; he has contributed $1 million to a Royals youth academy and provided equipment for his youth league in Venezuela. His charitable efforts also reach into Colombia, where he traveled during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer support.

Pérez has secured multiple contract extensions with Kansas City, including a four-year, $82 million deal with a club option for 2026. His impressive .273/.333/.459 hitting stats are excellent for a catcher, and in a struggling offense, his 103 RBI represent a key aspect of the team’s productivity, alongside MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr., who has 109 RBIs.

There are few indications that he is slowing down.

“He still has plenty left in the tank,” comments the Orioles’ Santander. “He looks fantastic.”

So do the Royals, currently at 85-75, as they look to compete in the wild card round against Baltimore or Houston. For Pérez, it’s a long-awaited return to the postseason, nearly a decade in the making—a fitting stage for one of baseball’s stalwarts.

“It means a lot,” Quatraro expresses regarding Pérez’s desire to win. “His passion is fierce, and I believe that vision was somewhat distant in recent years.

“But this year? It feels much more achievable.”