Last month, Salvador Perez was named to his ninth American League All-Star team -- only George Brett has more in Royals history. He is the strength and soul behind one of the greatest team turnarounds in baseball history.
Around baseball and beyond, Salvy is known for his generosity and kind heart as much as his World Series MVP award and Hall of Fame credentials. Salvy is a shining example of humanitarianism, creating opportunities and better outcomes for the less fortunate in his native Venezuela and here in the United States, with a focus on healthy and active communities, one of the key initiatives of Royals Community Impact.
Back home every winter, Salvy and his family distribute bags of food and kitchen supplies to upwards of 2,000 homes in the neediest parts of his hometown of Valencia. He knocks on doors and often goes to the pharmacy for those who need medicine. Throughout the last decade, he has impacted directly more than 10,000 families who have received much-needed relief.
Furthermore, Salvy has paid for dozens of surgeries for kids with cleft lips, gives more than 1,000 toys to children’s hospitals annually and supports police officers with car repairs, computers, office renovations and more.
He travels regularly to Colombia to assist the Carlos Fortuna Foundation in helping adults be the best parents they can be. During the COVID-19 shutdown, Colombia set strict travel guidelines. Salvy was so determined to help that he crossed the border on foot, at significant personal risk, to be there for the families who counted on him. In the U.S., Salvy has partnered with organizations fighting against ALS, most notably Sarah’s Soldiers, raising money and awareness to find a cure. Additionally, he works with Brayden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, which has come to count on Salvy’s generous spirit for dozens of events, often providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for terminally ill kids. Beyond those struggling with illness, Salvy has provided support and baseball experiences for teachers and many families of fallen or wounded police officers regularly.
Salvy owns a youth league in Venezuela, where hundreds in Valencia learn to love the game. He provides well-kept fields and professional coaches. At the beginning of each season, the kids are given bags with spikes, running shoes, jerseys, gloves and financial support for their families. Beyond baseball, Salvy also takes time to speak to each kid about the dangers of drugs, the importance of education and other critical lessons for successful lives.
In Kansas City, Salvy made a $1 million foundational donation to the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy (UYA), one of MLB’s 11 youth academies. This academy empowers Kansas City’s urban youth through baseball and softball, as well as academic and social opportunities, to become the leaders of tomorrow. Salvy’s donation matches the largest in the UYA’s history, helping it welcome more than 60,000 youth since its inception in 2018. Additionally, Salvy has represented Major League Baseball in many initiatives, including the Nike RBI Program, and donates his time and memorabilia to the Dream Factory regularly.
Earlier this summer, Salvy hosted more than 100 kids from Kansas City’s urban core for a baseball clinic and inspirational conversation about education and health. He provided funding for each kid to go home with a backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming year.
Salvador Perez is the model of a great teammate, on and off the field, relentlessly making himself and those around him better. His professional career and adult life are devoted to building support and opportunities for this and future generations to live happier, healthier and more productive lives.