Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY – The Royals had a new face run their daily baserunning meeting Sunday morning. Salvador Perez stood up and took the reins from first base coach Damon Hollins in what one player called the “most electric meeting” he’s been a part of in his time with the club. Perez was impersonating the way Hollins usually runs that meeting, getting plenty of laughs from his teammates. *And then Perez went out to the game and stole a base.* Yes, you read that right. In the second inning of the Royals’ eventual 11-7 win over the Tigers at Kauffman Stadium, their 36-year-old slugger took off and slid safely into second base. It took seemingly everyone off guard. Tigers catcher Eduardo Valencia stood up to throw but never released the ball as shortstop Kevin McGonigle ran to the base and Perez slid. It was Perez’s seventh career stolen base, his first since July 21, 2021 – and his first at Kauffman Stadium since July 20, 2017. “That feels even better than a home run,” Perez said, laughing. “It took me five years to steal one bag.” And it fired absolutely everyone up. The crowd reacted like Perez just hit a home run. Royals players and coaches were laughing and cheering. Vinnie Pasquantino banged on the dugout rail in celebration – “that was sick,” Pasquantino said after the game – and catcher Luke Maile threw his hands in the air. Perez got up, brushed the dirt off his uniform – and shook some out of his pants – and then flashed his Salvy smile back toward his teammates while doing the signature Jarrod Dyson speed gesture back toward the dugout.