Beloved Royals captain Salvador Perez is SO ready for KC’s return to MLB playoffs

When Salvador Perez hoisted the World Series championship trophy at Kansas City’s Union Station in 2015, it was the culmination of a magical two-year journey, and three-decade wait.

For the first time since they won it all in 1985, the Royals had finally returned to the mountaintop.

Their arduous journey to the ‘15 title included exhilarating peaks and miserable valleys. But even the heartbreak of how the 2014 postseason ended — with a World Series loss to the San Francisco Giants — was washed away in that moment.

Perez unfurled his signature smile often that autumn day as he basked in fans’ adulation, and rightfully so. Even with the impending departures of top free agents like Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, more parades might await the long-suffering Royals.

For the next nine seasons, however, the playoffs would remain out of reach.

Perez still wears that trademark smile, but today he’s a grizzled 34-year-old MLB veteran. One thing that hasn’t changed? His hunger for the postseason. Returning to October baseball has been his primary motivator all year.

On Friday evening, nearly a decade after Perez was selected MVP of the 2015 World Series, the Royals clinched a postseason berth at Truist Park. They will be one of the American League’s three wild-card teams when the playoffs open next week.

“I’m super-excited and super-excited for them, too,” Perez said with a gesture toward teammates. “... I talked to these guys even before the start of spring training. I said, ‘Guys, can you please take me to the playoffs again?’

“Honestly, I’m not 24 (years old) anymore. I want to play until I’m 45, if I can. I appreciate this group.”

Perez has already turned in a special 2024 season. He made his ninth All-Star appearance and eclipsed 25 homers and 100 RBIs.

The Royals relied on Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. to fuel this season’s lineup. Perez also provided important leadership in the dugout and clubhouse throughout the year.

He helped the Royals navigate two seven-game losing streaks in recent weeks and a 9-11 record during a grueling 20-game stretch against top-tier opponents.

Perez has been a calming voice each step of the way. He’s been quick to adopt Royals manager Matt Quatraro’s “Today” mantra and helped younger teammates stay focused as the Royals lost a franchise-record 106 games in 2023.

“He told us last year, ‘I want to be in another playoff with the Royals,’” infielder Maikel Garcia recalled. “Now he is living his dream.”

How does Perez do it — help others remain focused through hard times? Along with lending punch at (and behind) the plate, he’s simply his jovial self.

Teammates appreciate Perez’s candor, and — sure enough — they’ve championed the cause of getting him back to playing October baseball.

“That was a special target goal for us all offseason,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It was to get him back to where he rightfully belongs and for what he means to the city of Kansas City.”

Royals owner John Sherman agreed. He helped put together this special group and is forever thankful for the contributions Perez has made to the organization.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Sherman said. “It’s really awesome to get him back and I’m really happy for our young guys, too.”

The Royals are right where they want to be. For Perez, the playoffs represent a new season that he believes will lead to still more success — the kind that can be maintained with care in years to come.

“We just want to win,” Perez said. “And now I think we are going to, going forward.”