Kansas City Royals Icon Salvador Perez To Be Honored For Extraordinary Sportsmanship At Musial Awards

NINE-TIME MLB ALL-STAR CATCHER BEING RECOGNIZED FOR IMPROMPTU STOP AT KIDS’ BACKYARD WIFFLE BALL GAME AND OVERALL CHARACTER

ST. LOUIS – Sept. 27, 2024 – In addition to his success as a Major League Baseball player – including All-Star Game appearances, Gold Glove Awards, and a World Series MVP trophy – Salvador Perez hasn’t lost his childlike exuberance for playing the game. So even on an off day during a grueling regular season, Perez stopped his car when he noticed some kids playing Wiffle ball in their backyard in suburban Kansas City. What he did next earned Perez a Musial Award.

“Hey guys, can I play?” Perez asked the group of star-struck kids, ranging in age from 8 to 15. Perez proceeded to play Wiffle ball with the kids giving them the thrill of a lifetime. Perez’s spontaneous kindness, humility, and use of his sports celebrity for good are deserving of the preeminent honor for sportsmanship, which he will accept at the 2024 Musial Awards presented by Maryville University on Nov. 23 at Stifel Theatre in St. Louis.

Despite his longevity as a professional ballplayer, Perez is far from jaded by his stature. In fact, he seems to be keenly aware of his position as a role model and senses young eyes are always watching, telling reporters, “That’s what it’s all about; it’s about the kids. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I love to play baseball; I love to compete. But I always say that we don’t know what this fan or what this kid did to get a ticket to come see you. To get that kind of opportunity to play with them, that’s not going to happen very often.”

Spending the entirety of his 13-year MLB career (and counting) with the Royals, Perez is a Kansas City sports icon, leading the Royals to back-to-back World Series, and winning it all in 2015. Perez has been a consistent performer both offensively and defensively through his career, earning five Gold Glove Awards and four Silver Slugger Awards, in addition to nine All-Star Game selections. But Perez’s smile, zeal for the game, engagement with fans, and his down-to-earth attitude are what shine above his talent and accomplishments.

“A class act on and off the field, Salvador Perez embodies what the Musial Awards are all about,” said Marc Schreiber, president of the St. Louis Sports Commission, which produces the Musial Awards. “We got such a kick out of seeing the video of him crashing that backyard Wiffle ball game – and that simple, genuine act of lighthearted fun exemplifies the generosity, joyfulness, and sportsmanship that is synonymous with Salvy. We are truly delighted to have the opportunity to honor him at this year’s Musial Awards.”

His on-field statistics are impressive enough, but Perez’s philanthropic efforts in his home country of Venezuela and his adopted hometown of Kansas City have earned him three nominations for MLB’s prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, including this year. He is also the 2021 recipient of the Lou Gehrig Award, annually recognizing the MLB player who best exemplifies the spirit and character of Lou Gehrig, both on and off the field. It’s clear Perez means as much to his teammates and the Kansas City community for his egoless personality as his contributions to winning games.

“I think Salvador Perez is the definition of sportsmanship,” said Royals teammate Bobby Witt Jr. “Who he is as a person, what he does for the team, how he makes all his teammates feel so loved and welcome, how he is off the field, what he does in Venezuela, what he does here in Kansas City, wherever he’s at he’s always making an impact. He’s one of one; there’s no one else like Salvador Perez.”

Perez will be honored alongside Hall of Fame Broadcaster Bob Costas and NFL great Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. in what is known as The Most Inspiring Night in Sports®. The Musial Awards show on November 23 will be packaged into a one-hour special that will air throughout the country on CBS in December.

MUSIAL AWARDS TICKETS:

Tickets for the 2024 Musial Awards, ranging from $18 to $50, are on sale through Ticketmaster.  In addition to individual awards show tickets, the Musial Awards offers a special Honoree Circle ticket, which includes a seat in the orchestra level, a pass to the Musial Awards After Party, and reserved parking for $160.  All-inclusive packages and sponsorships are also available.  More information and a link to purchase tickets is available at MusialAwards.com/tickets.  Groups of 10 or more can take advantage of special group pricing by calling 314-345-5113.

Show time for the 2024 Musial Awards is 7 p.m.

MORE ON THE MUSIALS:

The Musial Awards presented by Maryville University is produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization. In addition to keeping Stan The Man’s legacy alive, the mission of the Musial Awards is to encourage kindness, selflessness, integrity and civility in sports and society – and to inspire people across the nation to be good sports. The event has occurred in St. Louis since 2005. Maryville University has served as the presenting sponsor since 2011. The school’s involvement, leadership and generosity have helped make the Musial Awards the most inspiring night in sports®.