AL DIVISION SERIES: ROYALS VS YANKEES

October 4, 2024

Salvador Perez

Yankee Stadium

Kansas City Royals

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. It's been since 2015 since the last time you've been here in New York City in terms of winning a championship. How do you feel about the team this year compared to how the team felt in 2015?

SALVADOR PEREZ: Pretty close, you know. Both teams made it to the playoffs. Super excited for the group that we have. We've got a little bit of everything, veteran guys, young guys, the staff, everything.

I think the key is be together like we are, as a family.

Q. Is there somebody right now on your team that can be like that spark that no one is thinking about right now, that brings that energy to the series?

SALVADOR PEREZ: I think we already have the same mentality. We know the goal. We're in the playoffs for a reason, to go win everything. Go to the World Series and win too. So let's see what happens.

Q. When you were 24, 25, you played in your first postseason. What did you learn from the Alex Gordons, the Lorenzo Cains that you take to the young guys right now?

SALVADOR PEREZ: The way they prepare themselves. The way they come out to the field and compete. It's something that I tell these guys, have fun. Everything is going to happen so quick, so fast. Just have fun, enjoy, and don't try to do too much.

Yeah, more crowd in the playoffs. If you think of all the different things, you maybe got a little pressure, but after the first pitch, it's the same game.

We're used to playing with big crowds, and that's what I tell these guys. Just have fun and don't try to do too much.

Q. When you played in the postseason, what was the biggest thing you learned about playing in the postseason?

SALVADOR PEREZ: I think enjoy the game because you never know when you're going to go back to the postseason. It's the same thing here after I make it the last time to the postseason. I don't take it for granted.

This game is hard. It's not easy like the people think outside. Now that we're here, just have fun, play hard, give everything you have so when you go back home, whatever happened or not, you look at yourself in the mirror and say I gave everything I had tonight, so I'm going to sleep good and get up for the next day.

Q. You guys know the Yankees pretty well. What did you think of their season overall, and how much of a challenge do you feel like it's going to be to face them on this stage?

SALVADOR PEREZ: Yankees are a pretty good team, man. They've got everything. I think everything is going to matter, from the first pitch to the last pitch. Both teams have to play smart, try to do the little things, and see what happens. They've got a really good team.

Q. What has it been like catching Michael Wacha, and how have you guys built chemistry throughout the season?

SALVADOR PEREZ: Pretty good, you know. Veteran guy. He knows how to pitch in the big league, in this league. I just try to be with him on the same page. I got him in Spring Training so I kind of know how he like to pitch, how he likes to face batters and all that. I think it's going to be easy.

Q. You mentioned 2015; which of your teammates from that team have reached out to you in recent days, and what have they been saying to you?

SALVADOR PEREZ: Have fun, Niño. Hosmer, Lolo, Alex Gordon, Jeremy Guthrie, they say we're so happy for you. I know how hard you work to be back in the playoffs. That's the good thing about baseball, man. I know they're at home and all that, but we still talk. We feel like a family. I call those guys brothers.

Q. On your durability, what have you done in recent years to help you stay on the field as often as you can with your training in season and out of season?

SALVADOR PEREZ: It's a lot of sacrifice. But when you want to be the best, you have to do it. Try to eat better. Last year as soon as the season was over with, I start to working out right away. I'm not 25 anymore so it takes me a little longer to get ready. But yeah, I think it just depends who you want to be. You sacrifice yourself to try to be the best.

Q. When you were in the World Series nine, ten years ago, you mentioned you used a Carolina Herrera cologne. Have you stayed with that or switched to a different brand over the years?

SALVADOR PEREZ: That was with Alcides Escobar. Before one game he sprayed Victoria's Secret on me, and like -- he was next to my locker, so I was like what are you doing, Esquy? I'm about to go out, I don't have time to change, and I hit 4 for 4 that day, so after that, I wear that every day. But not anymore. That was 10 years ago, 12 years ago.

Q. What stands out or what impresses you the most about Bobby? Three years, obviously. What do you like the most about him?

SALVADOR PEREZ: Everything, man. It's the best player I've played with. People see what he do on the field. But to have the opportunity to see outside the field, too. Just the way he prepares himself every day, the mentality he has. I think having a dad to play 16 years in the Big Leagues helped him. I think they do a good job, just the way he prepares himself. He just wants to be the best every day, and for me, he's the best player.

Q. You guys lost 100 games last year. Did you think you would see this day where you guys would be in the playoffs a year later?

SALVADOR PEREZ: I think the last offseason with Mr. Sherman picked up all the other guys that we have, veteran pitching and all that, I knew something was good. Yeah, it's not easy coming to lose 106 games in 2023 and make it to the playoffs in 2024. People like what they're doing. I think the front office is doing a pretty good job.

We think about that in Spring Training. We want these guys play in the playoff because we know as soon as you play in the playoffs, every year you just want to go back to the playoffs and you're going to give everything you have.

Q. You've also played first base this year. How much has that helped your career?

SALVADOR PEREZ: 100 percent. No, seriously, I think it's a blessing to play two positions in the Big Leagues, being able to be behind home plate and the next day be available to go play first. I think it's a blessing. Anything to be in the Big Leagues and help my team to win. Can.