MLB announced on Monday that Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez has won the 2024 Roberto Clemente award, which is given to the player whose humanitarian efforts off the field go beyond the rest.
Perez, who has played all of his 13 years with the Royals, is the first player in franchise history to win the award.
"When we do something, we do because it's coming from my heart," Perez said, via ESPN. "I don't like to do things because somebody ask me to do it. When I sit with my mom and want to do something, we just do. We don't have to post anything on social media. I don't like that. If I do, I do it for my heart. I want to make people happy."
Congratulations to the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award winner Salvador Perez!
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2024
Salvy is the first player in Kansas City Royals history to earn baseball’s most prestigious individual honor. 👏 pic.twitter.com/u1XhwhL6tV
Some of the efforts Perez has participated in include donating to various organizations in the Kansas City community, along with helping those in need of food and medical supplies in his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela. Perez and his mother, Yilda Diaz, help at least 2,000 households in his hometown each year.
Perez also helps with the Carlos Fortuna Foundation in Colombia after a minor league Royals pitcher who died of liver cancer in 2013. The organization helps parental education in Colombia.
Additionally, Perez has partnered with ALS organizations, such as Sarah's Soldiers, to help raise money to find a cure.
"Sometimes you want to rest," Perez said. "Even if you think one day every month, just one day every month. That's it. One day every month try to make some kid happy. Do something. Even get your social media, make people happy. Have a picture with somebody. Just one day every month. I think that's going to change the world."
In 158 games this season, Perez averaged .271/.330/.456. He had 160 hits with 58 runs, 104 RBI and 27 home runs.
More of the Latest Around MLB
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Salvador Perez Becomes First Royals Player to Win Roberto Clemente Award.
