Salvador Johan Pérez Díaz, nicknamed "El Nino" and "Salvy", is a Venezuelan-American professional baseball catcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is an eight-time MLB All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award winner, and received the World Series Most Valuable Player Award when the Royals won the 2015 World Series over the New York Mets. On the international level, he represents the Venezuelan national team.
Pérez with the Kansas City Royals in 2015
Pérez (right) and Ervin Santana with the Kansas City Royals in 2013
Pérez batting in 2015 American League Division Series
Perez in 2023
Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the catcher is also called upon to master many other skills in order to field the position well. The role of the catcher is similar to that of the wicket-keeper in cricket.
Kansas City Royals catcher and 5× Gold Glove winner Salvador Pérez stands behind home plate during a 2013 game versus the New York Mets.
Uni-President Lions catcher Kao Chih-kang preparing for a game
Ali Sánchez's orange-painted fingernail during a 2022 game for the Toledo Mud Hens
Catcher Matt Wieters blocks runner Derek Jeter from tagging home plate.