Salvador Pérez makes history as the Latino catcher with the most MLB home runs

Salvador Pérez, the Venezuelan captain and star of the Kansas City Royals, made MLB history on Monday by hitting his 312th career home run. This achievement makes him the Latino catcher with the most home runs in the league's history. The milestone came in the bottom of the sixth inning during the game against the New York Yankees. Pérez, playing as designated hitter, connected with a solo homer off pitcher Will Warren. This was his ninth home run of the current season and his fourth at home. Pérez now stands alongside legendary players like Puerto Ricans Iván Rodríguez (311 home runs), Jorge Posada (261), and Javy López (252). Of his career total, 241 home runs were hit as a catcher, 55 as a designated hitter, and 16 as a first baseman. This latest homer also brings him within striking distance of the Kansas City Royals' all-time home run leader, George Brett, who amassed 317 homers during his 21-year career with the team. The accomplishment fuels discussions about Pérez's potential Hall of Fame merits, given his 15-year career marked by power hitting, five Gold Gloves, and nine All-Star selections.