Sep 16, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez (13) hits a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Pérez crushed his 45th home run of the season in Thursday’s game against the Oakland Athletics.

No. 45 ties Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the current Major League Baseball lead in homers, and ties Johnny Bench (1970) for the all-time lead in homers in a season by a primary catcher.

That’s quite a milestone day.

The seven-time All-Star and 2015 World Series MVP previously topped out at 27 home runs in a season, which he did twice (2017 and 2018). However, he had 11 home runs and a .633 slugging percentage in just 156 plate appearances in the shortened 2020 season, compared to a .553 SLG this season. So, he gave us a preview of the power surge last year.

What’s particularly incredible is that the 31-year-old is still red-hot 145 games into a season that has surely put a lot of wear and tear on his body as a catcher. He has homers in three straight games.

With Thursday’s game still in progress and 16 more Royals games to come, Pérez has plenty of time to secure the all-time catcher record for homers in a single-season. If he stays red-hot, maybe Salvy can even get to 50.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

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