Opening Day 23 had its fair share of wondrous moments, with teams starting anew with a clean slate, with their eyes directed in only one direction – winning the World Series championship. However, off the field, as the Kansas City Royals sat down in the clubhouse before the start of yet another baseball journey, the team was in for a surprise.

Salvador Perez, the Royals’ superstar, was about to don a special newly tailored jersey before the start of their first game of the season against the Minnesota Twins. As the whole team gathered in front of Mike Sweeney, George Brett, and Frank White, the three produced a jersey with a big ‘C’ emblazoned on it – which stands for ‘captain.’ Royals’ phenomenal catcher had just been named the captain of the team, a title bestowed upon only a select few. 

Kansas City Royals now officially have a captain in their midst 

Salvador Perez has been a Royal ever since he made his MLB debut with them in 2011. The MLB All-Star played a historic role in the team’s World Series victory in 2015, so much so that he was named the MVP. Now 13 years later, the team with a long history of 55 years has recognized Perez’s worth by making him the 4th captain of the Kansas City Royals. 

Before him, stood only three, Mike Sweeney (2003-07), George Brett (1989-93), and Frank White (1989-90). The former captains were the ones to pass on their legacy to the catcher as they handed Perez his newly tailored jersey. 

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Parallel to this, Sweeny had received his captain’s jersey from Brett in 2003, and now as he passed it on, he said, “The day George handed me that jersey was one of the most emotional, joyous days of my career,” Sweeney said according to mlb.com. “Now, it’s exciting to collectively pass the torch to the next generation in front of his peers. To see Salvy, who’s become the face and heart of our team over the last 13 years, have tears in his eyes as he accepted it, just affirms the title.”

The baseball world is delighted at the news 

The Kansas City Royals had not seen a captain leading their team since 2007, and the sight of his teammates giving Salvador Perez a minute-long ovation just reinforces that the catcher becoming the captain had been long overdue. And the baseball world seems to agree. 

The main man laid out his emotions about being named the captain after their opening game concluded, “It’s an honor to be the captain of the Kansas City Royals. I know we lost, but it’s a special day. George Brett, Frank White, Mike Sweeney, the way they played the game, the way they taught us to play the game, have passion for the game, it’s something I want to follow.”

The Royals were surely hoping to make a grand start to their new beginnings, however, they only managed to garner two hits. In the fifth inning, they could’ve turned the tide with loaded bases but were unable to do so. The momentum shift then played out in the favor of the Minnesota Twins, who scored 2 runs in the top of the sixth inning and eventually won.

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