Salvador Perez makes heartfelt plea after fan arrested retrieving historic home run originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.A Royals fan jumped into the Kauffman Stadium fountains to recover Salvador Perezs record-tying home run ball, leading to an arrest and a personal request from the Kansas City captain.Salvador Perez understood why one Kansas City Royals fan was willing to risk a trip to jail for a piece of franchise history.Perez blasted the 317th home run of his career Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, tying Hall of Famer George Brett for the most in Royals history. The 437-foot drive landed in the famous fountains beyond the right-center-field wall at Kauffman Stadium.One fan decided that history was worth getting wet for. The fan jumped into the fountain in an attempt to retrieve Perezs home run ball. Security quickly intervened, escorting the fan out of the stadium before police placed him in handcuffs and took him into custody.When Perez learned what happened, the longtime Royals catcher made a public plea for authorities to show the fan some mercy.Please, police, just take him out of the jail, please, Perez said, according to a video shared by Jomboy Media.Perez acknowledged that he might have made the same decision if he had been in the fans position.If I was him, Id maybe jump too and try to get that ball, Perez said. So please, and thank you for the hard work in trying to get that ball.The fan was later released, according to FOX4 Kansas City.Why was the Royals fan arrested?Kauffman Stadium is known for the fountains that stretch across the outfield, but fans are strictly prohibited from entering the water. The Royals guest rules state that anyone entering a fountain will be immediately arrested, taken to a downtown police station and charged. That policy did not stop the fan from pursuing one of the most significant home run balls in franchise history."Please police just take him out of the jail please." -Salvador Perez after a fan was arrested for jumping in the fountain to retrieve his home run ball that tied the Royals franchise record pic.twitter.com/dPxpUVhyb4 Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 23, 2026The unusual scene added another memorable chapter to an already unforgettable afternoon for Perez and the Royals. Kansas City trailed San Francisco when Perez stepped to the plate in the seventh inning. His two-run homer cut the Giants lead and sparked a four-run rally. Lane Thomas later delivered a go-ahead two-run single, lifting the Royals to a 5-4 victory.Perez finished the day tied with Brett at the top of the franchise leaderboard. Mike Sweeney ranks a distant third with 197 home runs, followed by Amos Otis at 193 and Alex Gordon at 190.MORE:Red Sox winning streak ends at 15, but historic run changes everything in BostonSalvador Perez joins George Brett in Royals historyPerez has spent his entire 15-year MLB career with Kansas City, developing into one of the most decorated and beloved players in club history. The 36-year-old is a nine-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger. He was also named World Series MVP after helping the Royals defeat the New York Mets in 2015.Royals manager Matt Quatraro became emotional while discussing what Perez has meant to the organization.I love that guy, Quatraro said. What he does, the way he goes about it, the passion he plays the game with, its unrivaled. The guys a Hall of Famer, and youre getting to witness it.Perez was grateful that his record-tying homer came in front of the home crowd.That was a super exciting moment, Perez said. Especially doing it here in Kansas City. I love the fans here. Kansas City is my second home.One fan apparently loved the moment enough to take an unexpected swim and spend part of the celebration in police custody. Fortunately for him, he had the Royals captain firmly on his side.More MLB news:Red Sox winning streak ends at 15, but historic run changes everything in BostonPirates-Yankees benches clear after heated exchange in eighth inningHow Aaron Judge is the real focus of the Yankees' trade deadline plansCC Sabathia's son gets drafted by one of his former teams