Bobby Witt Jr., Tommy Pham, Cole Ragans and more MLB stars react as Salvador Perez wins Roberto Clemente Award
Longtime Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez might be one of the most universally liked players in the MLB. The 34-year-old backstop has been a force throughout his career, earning 9 All-Star selections, 5 Gold Glove Awards, and a World Series in his 13 seasons with the Royals. All that being said, he may have just earned his most prestigious award yet.
On Monday, the MLB announced that Salvador Perez has been named as this year's winner of the Roberto Clemente Award. The award is handed out to the player who not only makes an impact on his club, but also their community by helping those in need.
Perez is the first player in Kansas City Royals history to recieve the award. After being named this year's winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, a number of Salvador Perez's teammates took to social media to congratulate their captain.
Philanthropy is something that is important to Perez, particularily in his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela. The veteran catcher has helped provide food and supplies for thousands of homes each year, but also helps children participate in baseball by providing free equipment and clinics.
The Roberto Clemente Award is one of the most coveted among the players because of what it represents. This is why a number of Salvador Perez's teammate are praising their captain, including arguably the Royals' top player, Bobby Witt Jr.
Salvador Perez and the Royals look to continue building on a strong 2024 campaign next season
One of the reasons why Perez is such a beloved figure in Kansas City is due to the fact that he is the only player from the 2015 World Series championship squad remaining on the roster. The club captain and legend has not skipped a beat even as he ages, posting an impressive .271 batting average with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs this season.
Now, the veteran will look to keep helping this iteration of the team grow as they head into next season. The Royals took a major step forward this year, reaching the ALDS before falling to the New York Yankees. Given the age of the team and the growth they have already shown, the Royals will likely be considered title contenders next year.