The Kansas City Royals are entering the 2026 season looking to make the MLB playoffs after missing out on postseason play last year.
While the team continues to prepare for the challenges of a new campaign, its captain and longtime catcher Salvador Perez has added another accolade to his already decorated career. This time, however, the recognition highlights his impact off the field as much as on it.
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Perez, who has spent his entire 14-year MLB career with Kansas City, has long been celebrated for his leadership, character and connection to the community. Signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela, he rose through the Royals’ system to become the face of the franchise.
Over the past 14 seasons, he has earned nine All-Star selections, five Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers and the 2015 World Series MVP award. His consistency and loyalty have made him one of the most respected players in the game.
That reputation was further validated on Monday when FOX4 News Kansas City shared a message that captured the significance of his latest honor.
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“The Royals’ very own captain and catcher, Salvador Perez, has won the Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Advocate Award in Sports for his service and his attitude both on and off the field,” wrote the outlet on X.
The award, presented by the NAACP branches of Olathe, Overland Park and Leawood, Kansas, places Perez alongside past honorees such as Royals chairman John Sherman and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
It recognizes individuals whose values align with the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing respect, equality and service.
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For Perez, the distinction reflects the way he has carried himself throughout his career, treating teammates, fans and the broader community with dignity while serving as a role model.
On the field, Perez continues to defy age and expectations. In 2025, the 35-year-old played 155 games and delivered 30 home runs with 100 RBIs, proving he remains a force in the middle of Kansas City’s lineup.
He now sits just 14 home runs shy of George Brett’s franchise record, a milestone he could reach early in 2026.
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The Royals underscored their faith in him this offseason by signing a two-year extension through 2027, ensuring his leadership remains central to the club’s future.
As the Royals prepare for the season ahead, Perez’s award serves as a reminder that his legacy is not only about statistics and championships. It is about the respect he commands, the example he sets and the way he embodies the values of both the franchise and the city he represents.