Royals ready for Opening Day

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


Salvador Perez heads into his 14th year with the Kansas City Royals sporting the same smile, carrying a big piece of lumber and experiencing the same Opening Day excitement that has been present since he joined the team in 2011.

When asked Thursday's 3:10 p.m. Opening Day start against the Cleveland Guardians he grinned, saying that Opening Days have never changed for him since he first put on a Royals jersey.

"From my first one - a long, long time ago (grinning) - to Thursday, all my Opening Days have been the same," said Perez, a likely first-round Hall of Famer who hit .271 in 158 games last season along with 104 RBIs. I'm excited. I feel it right here (point to his chest), they are like playing in the seventh game of the World Series.

"And we open this season in front of the best fans in baseball."

He quickly added, "I get this feeling every Opening Day - I'm nervous, I'm excited - and when I no longer feel that way I will know it is time to retire."

Perez is the lone holdover from Kansas City's 2015 World Championship team, and he was rewarded last season as the Royals made it to postseason, where they lost to the New York Yankees - who went on to represent the American League in the 2024 World Series.

"You get that same feeling that you get on Opening Day when you play in the playoffs," Perez said. "We didn't like the way last season ended, but we have so many memories from last season. And now, the younger guys know what it's like to make the playoffs, and we all believe we will be in the playoffs this season.

"Tomorrow we start to play, and we play a lot of games, but it amazing to be on a team that feels like we could win the World Series. We've done it before, and we want to do it again."

Cole Ragans, who finished fourth in the balloting for the American League Cy Young Award in 2024 will be the Royals Opening Day pitcher.

"I get nervous before every start," said Ragans, who was 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA last season, "and I really get nervous on Opening Day. I'm also excited."

"While the end of last season left a bad taste in everyone's mouth, we did a lot of good things last year. Today, being back in the stadium really made me feel good. To be back with the boys at the stadium, to sense the excitement from our fans and to get ready for Thursday's game is a great feeling."

​Kansas City Royals catcher and fan favorite, Salvador Perez, talked about the excitement of Thursday's Opening Day against the Cleveland Guardians before a team workout Wednesday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

Cole Ragans, who finished fourth in American League balloting for the Cy Young Award in 2024, will be on the mound when the Kansas City Royals host the Cleveland Guardians on Opening Day, at 3:10 p.m. Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. Photo credit: Bill Althaus
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