Royals’ Salvador Perez says witnessing birth of second son offered ‘amazing feelings’
On Monday afternoon, as Salvador Perez prepared for the birth of his second son, Johan Salvador Perez, he dressed in scrubs at the University of Kansas Hospital. Perez was nervous, he said. He had missed the birth of his first son, but this time, he was ready to offer support as his fiance, Gaby Ruiz, went into labor.
But moments later, he turned around and noticed a nurse standing behind him, shadowing his every move.
The moment confused Perez, but soon, he got his answer. The nurses in attendance were worried that Perez might faint at the sight of blood and, well, if that happened, how would they ever get him off the floor.
“You’re too big,” Perez recalled them saying.
The story came on Tuesday afternoon, as Perez returned to the Royals after one day away. The club’s All-Star catcher was back in the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s. He was also ready to share the joys of being a father for the second time.
“Exciting,” Perez said. “You know, (it’s) my second son. I didn’t have the chance to be in there for my first one, (but it’s) amazing feelings, crazy you know? I only sleep like two hours in two days but I’m here, so ... ”
Perez said the day went smoothly and his baby boy was healthy. He sought to thank the hospital staff and the doctors who took part in the delivery — and a long day.
“Thank you for the coffee,” he said.
Moments later, Perez explained the significance of the name — Johan Salvador Perez. The name was his — only with the first and middle name flipped — and Perez revealed that he was originally supposed to be named Johan Salvador Perez. At least, that’s what his mother had wanted. But on the day he was born, his father put down Salvador Johan Perez on the documents.
“Mom was mad at my dad for like two months,” Perez said.
Rustin Dodd: 816-234-4937, @rustindodd. Download True Blue, The Star’s free Royals app.
This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 7:34 PM with the headline "Royals’ Salvador Perez says witnessing birth of second son offered ‘amazing feelings’."