Few players in Major League Baseball embody the spirit of the game quite like Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez. Known for his infectious energy and constant smile, Perez has become a beloved figure in Kansas City, a city he has proudly represented for his entire 13-year MLB career.
On Thursday, during an off day for the Royals, Perez further solidified his status as a local hero in an unforgettable way. As he was driving through a neighborhood in Kansas City, he stumbled upon a group of young boys enjoying a game of wiffle ball in the backyard of one of their homes.
Rustin Dodd of The Athletic recounts the heartwarming moment: a man wearing white sneakers, a brown long-sleeve shirt, and sporting a familiar smile pulled up in his car and stepped out, much to the confusion of the kids. The home belonged to 9-year-old Cameron Lard, who was initially unsure of what was happening until he realized the identity of their unexpected visitor.
“Hey guys, can I play?” Perez asked, as reported by the Kansas City Star. Cameron’s eyes widened with disbelief as he recognized the nine-time All-Star and World Series MVP standing before him. “Guys, that’s Salvy!” he shouted, unable to contain his excitement.
Overwhelmed with joy, Cameron sprinted into his house, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Salvy freaking Perez is in the backyard!” His mother, Lesley, was equally stunned by the surreal experience.
“It’s just unbelievable,” Lesley told the Kansas City Star. “We actually have a Kansas City Monarchs player that lives with a host family in our neighborhood as well. And he came and played with the boys a few weeks ago, and we all couldn’t believe that. Thought it was the coolest thing. And then this happens, and it’s just like, I don’t know, Salvy is just like, another level, you know?”
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Lesley tried to convey the significance of the moment to those who might not be Royals fans. “I mean, people outside of Kansas City know Salvy. I was trying to tell people that aren’t Royals fans, he’s the Patrick Mahomes of the Royals. Like, he is the Royals. So I still don’t really believe it. If we didn’t get a picture, then I probably wouldn’t believe that.”
Indeed, the family managed to capture photos and even video footage of Perez playing wiffle ball with the kids, turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary memory that will last a lifetime.
Lesley later shared the video on social media, adding in the comments, “@BlitzballGuy we’ve gone through probably 50 Blitzballs this summer!!! We’re definitely keeping the game ball from yesterday!!”
In a world where professional athletes often seem larger than life, Salvador Perez’s spontaneous act of kindness serves as a reminder of the joy that sports can bring, not just to fans in the stands, but to kids in a backyard, playing a simple game of wiffle ball. For Cameron Lard and his friends, that day will forever be the day when a baseball legend stepped out of his car and joined their game, making their dreams come true.
