‘He’s my brother’: How Salvador Perez and Jose Altuve built lifelong friendship
Major League Baseball is rapidly changing but time has stood still for a pair of All-Star standouts.
Salvador Perez and Jose Altuve have seen it all before. In their illustrious careers, they reached the pinnacle of the sport and have the jewelry to serve as a reminder.
There were good days that morphed into great seasons. Each year, they enjoyed essential highs that were ultimately followed by painful lows.
Along the way, their clubhouses changed over. Teammates cycled through and managers came and went. And yet, the game remains the same.
This weekend, Perez will look across the field and see Altuve once again. And the memories of a childhood dream will flood his mind.
Two Venezuelan friends separated by 25 miles will spend their weekend at Kauffman Stadium doing what at one point may have seemed impossible. One will represent Kansas City and the other Houston, but their bond stretches far behind that.
Years ago, they traveled the bumpy roads together and endured adversity with one clear goal to reach the big leagues. Now, they are knocking on the doors of Cooperstown: two Hall of Fame careers developed by brotherhood and a love of the game that keeps them going.
“It’s always good to play your friends,” Altuve said. “Especially him. We have a good relationship.”
Little League dreams
At 6 years old, Perez was one of the biggest kids on his youth baseball team. He could do it all and quickly impressed his coaches.
Well, except for maybe being a catcher.
“I think he was a first baseman,” Altuve said. “He became a third baseman and then moved to catcher.”
Perez had to learn behind the plate. He didn’t become a full-time catcher until he reached his teenage years. But it was clear his bat was far advanced for the youth level.
“You know, I think the way he hit, he could play everywhere,” Altuve said. “He was a very professional kid.”
Altuve had different traits.
He was one of the smallest players on the team but played with the biggest heart. He was scrappy and a hard worker at the plate and in the field.
Altuve thrived with his bat speed. He made consistent contact and was a strong defender for his age. Perez was impressed with his ability to make the difficult plays look routine.
“He always hit and was one of the best everywhere he played,” Perez said.
Perez grew up in Valencia, Venezuela, which is a neighboring city to Maracay, where Altuve resided as a child.
Early on, they developed a good relationship. They would joke around and play together in different baseball tournaments in Caracas, Venezuela.
“I think he was really passionate about it,” Altuve said. “At such a young age, he was loving baseball, wanting to win and wanting to improve. Obviously, he got better and is one of the best catchers in the big leagues.”
Both were cut from a similar cloth. Altuve was born on May 6, 1990, and Perez was born just four days later.
They each made their MLB debuts in 2011 and each have nine All-Star selections since. Additionally, both have played for only one franchise.
And won a World Series.
“It’s good to see the success he has in the big leagues.” Perez said.
All these years later, baseball has kept them together. In the offseason, they go hunting and see each other’s families. Perez wouldn’t say who was the better hunter, but he enjoys the activity alongside Altuve.
It’s his way of continuing to enjoy life just as they were kids.
“We like to hunt a lot and see each other in the offseason,” Perez said. “… Hunting hogs and deer in Florida and Houston.”
Legendary Careers
This season, Perez and Altuve will cross paths twice. The Kansas City Royals host the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium this weekend.
In three weeks, the Royals will travel to Houston to play the Astros at Daikin Park.
Perez looks forward to the matchups. Both players turn 35 next month and have built legendary careers. There is a lot of respect on both sides as they have gone through playoff battles — like the ALDS in 2015.
“Thank God first to keep both of us healthy and do what we love to do,” Perez said. “It’s kind of like he knows where I’m coming from and (I know) where (he’s) coming from. And to see his success is good.”
Altuve agrees.
“We got a close relationship,” he said. “For me, he is a Hall of Famer and a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. I’m happy he is playing at a high level and playing really good still. Hopefully, he retires as a Kansas City Royal and goes into the Hall of Fame.”
As with their careers, there is a strong chance that both will walk into Cooperstown together in the final chapter of their journey.
“We talk almost every month and even in the offseason,” Perez said. “Even in the playoffs, we always talk. It doesn’t matter. He is like my brother.”
