Salvador Perez Begs Cops to Free Fan Who Dove Into Fountains for His Home Run Ball

The guy who jumped into the Kauffman Stadium fountains to grab Salvador Perez’s historic home run ball? He’s out of jail now. And he has Perez to thank for it.

The Royals catcher crushed his 317th career homer Wednesday night, tying George Brett for the most in franchise history. The 437-foot blast sailed into the right-center field waterfalls, and one fan decided that was worth breaking a pretty serious stadium rule.

Security escorted him out. Police cuffed him. Photos from the ballpark showed him in handcuffs, which is exactly what the Royals’ fine print warns about. The team’s policy says anyone entering those fountains faces immediate arrest, a trip to the station, and prosecution. No joke.

But after the game, Perez went to bat for the guy.

“Please, police, just take care of the job please and send him home,” Perez said. “If I was him, I’d maybe jump too and try to get that ball, so please. And thank you for the hard work in trying to get that ball.”

He didn’t stop there. Perez specifically asked police to get the fan out of jail. The whole thing was caught on video and posted by Jomboy Media, with Perez saying “please police just take him out of the jail please.”

According to Fox 4 Kansas City, the fan has since been released. Crisis averted.

Perez, 36, has spent his entire 15-year career with the Royals after debuting in 2011. He signed a two-year extension before this season that keeps him under contract through 2027. He said he was glad the record-tying homer happened in Kansas City in front of the home crowd.

The game itself was a classic comeback. Vinnie Pasquantino extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a seventh-inning double that started the rally. After Perez tied it, Nick Loftin singled to bring in a run, then Lane Thomas broke the tie with a two-run single. Seth Lugo got the win with five strikeouts over six solid innings, allowing just three hits and two walks. Steven Cruz earned his first career save, even after giving up a two-out homer late.

Perez’s next home run will give him the Royals’ all-time record outright. There are still 59 games left this season.