If any one of us in the real world were to publicly go off on our bosses, we'd be fired that very day with no questions asked and likely blackballed from the industry in which we worked.
After all, nobody wants to hire someone with a reputation for undermining the very people who sign the checks at the end of the day.
If you're a professional baseball player, particularly a pitcher with more than a modicum of talent, you'll receive a slap on the wrist. Sure you might receive a pink slip, but there's undoubtedly another (and potentially better) job awaiting you.
Chris Perez becomes the latest example of this with his recent tirade against Indians management. Perez, who has admittedly never been known for being a wallflower, unleashed the second most controversial rant of Wednesday with this tirade against Indians ownership. Take it away, CBSSports.com:
"It's not just ownership," Perez said. "They don't make trades. It's the GMs. It goes hand in hand. .. Josh Willingham would look great in this lineup. They didn't want to [pony] up for that last year. That's the decision they made, and this is the bed we're laying in."
It's no secret that the Indians are awful, have been awful since the late '90s, and will continue to be awful for years to come. And while it's refreshing to see a player on the team publicly acknowledge that, the statement feels a bit contrived. It's almost as though Perez has long been looking for a life raft off this perpetually sinking ship and saw one in the form of a reporter's microphone.
No word yet on what — if any — penalties Perez will be facing for his latest outburst. It's safe to say though that even if he loses his job with the Indians, the end result for him will be far more palatable than it would be for any of us who decided to take a similar public stance.
