Why it's trending
Perez broke a 40-year-old franchise home run record held by George Brett, a baseball legend. The milestone, combined with the dramatic home run that tied the record (splashdown in the fountains and a fan arrested trying to retrieve the ball), generated significant fan and media interest.
Salvador Perez has become the Kansas City Royals' all-time home run leader, hitting his 318th career home run to pass Hall of Famer George Brett. The milestone came just days after Perez tied Brett with a 437-foot blast into the Kauffman Stadium fountains. According to MLB.com, the homer was a sinker from Giants pitcher Landen Roupp, and the ball traveled 437 feet with an exit velocity of 108.7 mph.
Perez's record-tying homer in the seventh inning on [date per source: yesterday relative to article date] ignited a five-run inning. The ball landed in the fountains in right-center field. Royals broadcasters noted a fan attempting to retrieve the ball from the water, which is prohibited; the fan was later arrested, per Royals Review.
Manager Matt Quatraro was emotional after the game, calling Perez a Hall of Famer. 'What he does, the way he goes about it, the passion he plays the game -- it's unrivaled,' Quatraro said, according to Royals Review. Center fielder Lane Thomas added, 'You're just so happy that he did it at home in front of the people that have been supportive his whole career.'
The home run record comes as the Royals placed star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on the 10-day IL with back tightness, a development that may affect the team's playoff push. Perez, a seven-time All-Star and 2015 World Series MVP, has spent his entire career with Kansas City.
Timeline
- Perez ties franchise record
Salvador Perez hits his 317th career home run, a 437-foot blast into the Kauffman Stadium fountains, tying George Brett's Royals record. A fan is arrested attempting to retrieve the ball. (Source: Royals Review)
- Perez breaks record
Perez hits his 318th home run, passing Brett to become the Royals' all-time home run leader. (Source: ESPN, MLB.com)
Questions people ask
How many home runs has Salvador Perez hit?
As of the reported record, Perez has 318 career home runs, all with the Kansas City Royals.
Whose record did Salvador Perez break?
Perez broke the franchise record previously held by Hall of Famer George Brett, who had 317 home runs over 21 seasons with the Royals.
What happened with the fan and the home run ball?
After Perez hit his 317th home run into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium, a fan attempted to retrieve the ball from the water and was arrested, as it is prohibited to enter the fountain area.
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