Salvador Perez enjoys ninth All-Star berth with family

ARLINGTON, Texas – At 34, Salvador Perez is one of the older players at the All-Star Game. None of the participants in the 2024 Midsummer Classic has been named to more All-Star Games than Perez.

The Kansas City Royals catcher arrived at Globe Life Field on Monday with a lifetime’s worth of memories from past Midsummer Classics.

Yet the Royals’ captain is adamant that he’s just as excited now at his ninth All-Star Game as he was in his first in 2013. At a time when his childhood friend Jose Altuve and other players skip the Midsummer Classic, Perez understands why some veterans would take the four-day break to rest and recover from injuries. 

Nonetheless, the native of Valencia, Venezuela, embraces the opportunity to join the best players in baseball so his family can enjoy the experience. Perez and Altuve were both tied for the most All-Star berths among this year’s All-Stars at nine apiece.

Family affair

“I think they also deserve it,” he says of his family’s trip to the All-Star Game. “They’re always there supporting me day after day. So for them to come here and get the little gifts that they give you and take pictures, that also brings me joy.”

Perez doesn’t hesitate when asked to give his top All-Star Game memories. Catching legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera tops his list of Midsummer Classic memories. He caught the Hall of Famer in 2013, the last of Rivera’s 13 All-Star Game berths and the first for Perez. 

Perez’s next two favorite All-Star Games are Derek Jeter’s last All-Star Game in 2014 and David Ortiz’s final one in 2016. He was only 23 when he caught Rivera in 2013 at Citi Field. They didn’t need to go over much of a scouting report on that night in Queens, N.Y.

“Just one pitch, cutter away or cutter inside,” Perez says with a smile. “That was fun. I remember that one.”

In many ways, Perez is viewed in Kansas City with the same reverence Rivera and Jeter are seen in the Bronx, and Ortiz is seen in Boston. Like Jeter, Perez earned the rare captain’s title from his team.

‘A role model’

“He’s a role model to me with just the stuff that he does when he shows up to the field,” said Royals All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. “He’s one of the first guys there, one of the last guys to leave. It’s just unbelievable to see what he does and what he’s still doing in this game.

“I don’t think people notice it enough. He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve had.”

Perez’s impact in the game stretches far beyond Kansas City. He is an icon in this game. He and his pal Altuve of the Astros appear destined to join Venezuelan countryman Luis Aparicio in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

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At this point, Aparicio is the only Venezuelan in the Hall of Fame. Miguel Cabrera appears like a lock to become the second Venezuelan in the Hall when he’s eligible for the ballot in four years. Perez and Altuve will likely follow them in Cooperstown five years after they retire.

“Salvador Perez is one of the best catchers who have passed through Venezuela,” NL All-Star William Contreras said. “He’s a beast, as everybody knows. Salvador Perez has been good his entire career. He’s an example to follow. He deserves it.”

On path to Cooperstown

Perez appreciates having his name mentioned as a potential Hall of Famer.

“It means a lot to me,” he says of the Hall of Fame. “I think any player who has an opportunity to go to the Hall of Fame, keep going, keep playing hard and see what happens after you play a lot of years.”

Salvador Perez has an impressive resume already. He has earned five Gold Gloves for defensive excellence and four Silver Slugger Awards for offensive excellence. He was the 2015 World Series MVP after guiding the Royals to the title. There’s no doubt that his No. 13 jersey will eventually be retired in Kansas City.

Perez has also ushered in the golden age of catchers from Venezuela. Once known for brilliant shortstops, Venezuela arguably is a better producer of catchers these days. 

Fellow Venezuelan William Contreras of the Brewers will start behind the plate Tuesday night for the National League All-Stars at Globe Life Field. Two years ago, William Contreras and his older brother Willson were both All-Stars. 

Venezuela, land of catchers

The New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez, 22, is one of the best young catchers in baseball. He was born in Guatire, Venezuela. Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno, 24, won the NL Gold Glove last year after leading Arizona to the World Series.

Moreno is from Barquisimeto, Venezuela. The Contreras brothers are from Puerto Cabello. The Dominican Republic with 108 players was the only Latin American country with more players on Opening Day rosters than Venezuela’s 58.

Led by Perez and the Contreras brothers, the catcher’s position might be Venezuela’s deepest in the majors at this time. Of that talented group, Perez is the most decorated. He’s actually the most decorated MLB catcher in Venezuelan history.

“Like Salvador and my brother, a lot of players are bringing that hierarchy (behind the plate),” William Contreras said. “There’s Moreno. There’s Francisco Alvarez. There are a lot of veteran catchers who are following the examples of Willson and Salvador Perez in Venezuela.”