Salvador Perez will likely join George Brett in baseball's Hall of Fame after his playing days are done. And now he's surpassed him in one of the most significant statistical categories in Kansas City
Royals history.
Perez hit his 318th home run Saturday, July 25 at Comerica Park in Detroit, dislodging Brett atop the Royals' all-time home run list, a spot he'd held for 40 years.
Perez's home run off Tigers pitcher Kyle Finnegan was his 15th this season, the 11th consecutive full season that Perez, a nine-time All-Star, reached that plateau. Perez debuted with the Royals in 2011 and has signed multiple contract extensions to remain a Royal.
He'd already joined Brett in another revered circle, leading the Royals to the 2015 World Series championship, 30 years after Brett hit a career-high 30 homers and finished second in AL MVP voting to lead Kansas City to its first title.
“FOR THE RECORD!”
— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2026
Salvador Perez passes George Brett to become the @Royals all-time home run leader 💪 https://t.co/s6t4FFHPoq pic.twitter.com/H66Xgnr2bb
The Royals' home run list is a testament to the style of play the franchise developed in spacious Kauffman Stadium. Brett set the franchise record in 1986 with his 194th home run, topping Amos Otis, who was far better known as a basestealer in his 17-year career.
Longtime first baseman Mike Sweeney ranks No. 3 on the list with 197 homers, while Alex Gordon – like Otis, better known for speed and defense – is fifth with 190.
Perez hit a career-high 48 home runs in 2021, leading the majors in longballs and RBIs, with 121. He produced another 30-homer, 100-RBI season in 2025, his age-35 season. Perez, who has largely ceded catching duties to Carter Jensen, is eligible for free agency after this season. He's hit 242 of his home runs as a catcher.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Salvador Perez tops George Brett as Royals' home run king
