Ex-Royals star Kelvin Herrera elected mayor of his hometown in Dominican Republic

During their consecutive World Series appearances a decade ago, the Royals had one of the most dominant bullpens in Major League Baseball history.

If the Royals got a lead after six innings, then-manager Ned Yost handed the ball to Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland, and it was lights out for the opposing team.

Of those three, Herrera possessed the most electric arm. Until Aroldis Chapman joined the Royals a year ago, Herrera had thrown the fastest pitch in team history: 103.5 mph.

When Herrera stepped away from baseball at the age of 30 following the 2020 season, some fans scratched their heads because it seemed he was still young enough to pitch.

But Herrera, 34, has found a new calling: politics.

Herrera on Tuesday was elected mayor of his hometown of Tenares in the Dominican Republic.

Diario Libre reported Herrera received 49.8% of the vote, defeating Fabiola González (46.2%).

“The time has come to work, to work for my beloved town, for its beautification and organization. The time has come to show my gratitude with the work, with the change towards a different Tenares, a better Tenares,” Herrera said, per Diario Libre.

Deportiv App said Herrera “joins a small group of former baseball players who were elected as mayors; Mélido Gross Pérez (Nigua, 2010-2020) and Raúl Mondesí (San Cristóbal, 2010-2016).”

Herrera, a right-hander, made his big-league debut with the Royals in 2011 and pitched eight seasons in Kansas City, twice making the All-Star Game. He appeared in 442 games with the Royals with a 2.75 ERA and 57 saves.

In 22 career postseason games, Herrera had a 1.26 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings pitched. He threw three scoreless innings in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series, which the Royals won in 12 innings and clinched the championship.

Herrera was traded to the Nationals in 2018 and also later pitched for the White Sox.