KANSAS CITY – Salvador Perez is a lot of things as he marches toward the end of what could be a Hall of Fame career. Speedster is not one of them.
But every now and then…
In the bottom of the second inning Sunday afternoon, the Royals’ slugger took off for second base and slid in safely for a stolen base. Yep, you read that right. With Tigers opener Jacob Waguespack on the mound and Royals outfielder John Rave at the plate, Perez took off for second, seemingly catching, well, everyone off guard. Tigers catcher Eduardo Valencia stood up to throw but never released the ball as shortstop Kevin McGonigle ran to the base and Perez slid.
It was Perez’s seventh career stolen base, his first since July 21, 2021 – and his first at Kauffman Stadium since July 20, 2017.
Perez’s stolen base received a loud cheer from the crowd at The K on Sunday, and the Royals’ dugout was ecstatic to see the captain get his legs moving. Vinnie Pasquantino in particular was fired up, banging on the dugout rail and throwing his hands in the air. Perez was business as usual as he stood up and brushed the dirt off his uniform… and then flashed his Salvy smile back toward his teammates while doing the signature Jarrod Dyson speed gesture back toward the dugout.
Perhaps it was no coincidence that the Royals put up five runs in the second inning after Perez’s leadoff single and stolen base.
That’s what speed do, right?