‘Salvatore’ looks like a gladiator

Gonzalo Urgelles R. | [email protected]

CARACAS. In the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians, Venezuelan receiver Salvador Pérez equaled the franchise’s home run record, which was in the power of the Cuban Jorge Soler.

In addition, it displaced Andres Galarraga to be alone in second place for the Creole home runners in one season; With 48 hits, Pérez is one long-range hit from tying Eugenio Suárez for the top.

After Pérez ran the bases, the cheering of the spectators grew louder, forcing the star to leave the cave to thank the audience for the second night in a row.

“It is something I will never forget,” Pérez declared. “Especially seeing the public. The support from the fans has been incredible. It’s special to be able to do it for the fans here in Kansas City. “

However, the Valencian had to abandon the match in the third section, after suffering a sprained right ankle. The diagnosis was a sprain. To replace him, backup Cam Gallagher took his place in the lineup.

For a short period, time stood still and alarms went off, both in the corners of Kauffman Stadium (kingdom of the Kansas City organization), and among baseball fans in Venezuela who are in anticipation of every achievement that goes on. unlocking the mask.

Some even thought that Salvy’s season had come to an end. But no, the receiver downplayed the injury, stating that it was just a sprain going down some stairs, that he preferred to leave the match because he felt some discomfort; logically, both the coaching staff and the player himself preferred to rule out that there was deep damage.

In a conversation that Pérez had with journalist Guillermo Arcay, the receiver assured that he had received therapy and that he was ‘ready’ to return to action in last night’s own game. In addition, he made it clear that he was going to take the injury old school and without giving it much importance.

So, like a gladiator, the Creole with determination did not hesitate to return to the game to seek to secure the double crown that he has in his possession at the moment, that of home runs (48) and that of RBIs (121). Of course, the days behind the plate are over this year for Salvador, who announced that he will be serving as designated hitter in these last games of the season.

“I am almost certain that I will be as DH during these last four games”, were the verbatim words of the born in Carabobo state.

Salvy, already has the record for most home runs by a catcher in a major league season, he did it when he left Johnny Bench behind, when connecting the 46th of the campaign. Now that he equaled Soler at the top of the franchise, with 48, and is one to hunt down his compatriot Eugenio Suárez (49), the interesting thing would be to place a round figure, the half coupon that consecrates him as the absolute leader of the Venezuelans in a campaign and that would also be enough for him to become a legend of the Kansas City Royals.

Salvador with these numbers is a firm candidate to be the Most Valuable Player; It is not easy for him, with the seasons of Ohtani and Guerrero Jr., but he is almost guaranteed to be one of the finalists for the award.

It is easy to say, but you have to see the face of being the ‘Champion Jonronero’ and leader in RBIs of the season in all the Major Leagues, in a year that the Japanese and the Dominican had monopolized the covers, while in the National it was Tatis Jr.’s name that shone. What Salvador did and continues to do is great, it is worthy of a gladiator; and for that … “A pill, teipe and let’s play”.

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