ARLINGTON -- It didn’t take long for Salvador Perez to commemorate Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic victory. Perez is carrying that memory on forever, unveiling a new tattoo on his left thigh that celebrates his native country’s first WBC title.
“It’s going to be with me the rest of my life,” Perez said as the Royals closed the spring season with a 4-1 loss to the Rangers in an exhibition game on Tuesday afternoon at Globe Life Field.
“It means a lot, especially playing for my country Venezuela.”
Venezuela defeated Team USA, 3-2, in the championship on March 17 in Miami. The club reached the finals by defeating Team Japan in the quarters and Team Italy in the semis.
Perez said he wanted to get the tattoo “the next day,” but he waited until Sunday. The tattoo took about four hours, Perez said. Tattoo artist Luis Gil and Perez both shared it on Instagram as the post has generated 85,000 likes in the first day.
Perez has tattoos of all of his notable accomplishments, including being named the 2015 World Series MVP, All-Star Game appearances, Silver Slugger Awards and competing in the Home Run Derby.
Perez is hoping to add another tattoo later this year.
“I want another World Series,” he said, smiling, “so I can use my back.”
Perez appears poised for another solid season, batting .333 with three home runs and five RBIs this spring. The Royals open the season against the Braves on Friday night at Truist Park.
Perez was one of four Royals representatives on Team Venezuela. Perez, who served as captain of the squad, was joined by third baseman and tournament MVP Maikel Garcia and right-hander Luinder Avila. Royals bullpen catcher Juan Graterol also was a member of Venezuela’s championship team.
Perez is just one of 25 players to win a World Series title and a WBC championship, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Other Royals to accomplish the feat include Eric Hosmer, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera and Edinson Volquez.
In all, the Royals had 13 players participate in pool play during the WBC. Manager Matt Quatraro said he enjoyed hearing some of the WBC banter in the clubhouse when everyone returned this week.
“The energy has been great,” the skipper said.