Salvador Pérez, the All-Star catcher of the Kansas City Royals, made a surprise visit to a neighborhood in Kansas City, Kan. Pérez, who had the day off, stumbled upon a group of boys playing Wiffle Ball in their yard and asked if he could join. At first, the boys were confused, but quickly realized they were in the presence of their favorite baseball player. Pérez’s impromptu visit was reminiscent of Willie Mays joining a game in Harlem in the 1950s.
This wasn’t the first time Pérez had visited the neighborhood. He had come by during an off day last summer, creating a buzz among the neighbors. However, this time, he saw the Wiffle Ball game happening outside the Lard home and couldn’t resist joining in. The Lard family’s backyard is a popular spot for neighborhood baseball games, and on that day, kids from third grade to high school were participating.
Lesley Lard, Cameron’s mother, stated that her backyard is where the boys play every day. When Pérez arrived, Cameron ran inside to alert his parents, and Lesley’s husband, Terry, started filming. The boys moved back to make room for Pérez, who found their cautiousness amusing. They all wanted to play and enjoy the experience with their favorite player.
The Lard family’s love for baseball comes from Lesley’s father, Tim Rauter, who was a devoted Royals fan. When the Royals made the World Series in 2014, Lesley was pregnant with Cameron. She jokingly told her father that technically, Cameron had been to a World Series game. Cameron grew up during a less successful period for the Royals, but Pérez’s presence on the team provided a constant source of excitement. Pérez, a 34-year-old from Venezuela, was the World Series MVP in 2015 and endeared himself to the city with his youthful energy.
Unfortunately, Lesley’s father passed away three years ago, but this year, the Royals have given the family a pleasant surprise. With Pérez’s leadership and the emergence of young star Bobby Witt Jr., the team is in a position to make the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Lesley had always hoped that the Royals would have a successful season while Cameron was still young, so he could experience the thrill of a winning baseball team.
As the Royals continue to play well and secure an AL Wild Card spot since the All-Star break, Lesley dreams of taking her son to a postseason game at Kauffman Stadium. Little did she know that Pérez would bring the excitement of a playoff atmosphere to their very own backyard. Pérez stayed for over 20 minutes, playing, taking pictures, and even giving epic fist bumps. The boys will remember this extraordinary experience for the rest of their lives.
To Pérez, this may have seemed like a small gesture, but to the boys and their families, it meant the world. The impact of a beloved athlete taking the time to engage with fans on a personal level can have a lasting influence. Pérez’s visit not only created lifelong memories but also highlighted the power of sports to bring people together and inspire young fans.