Chris Perez is never shy when speaking with the media, sparking minor controversies on what seems like a weekly basis. The Indians' closer has ripped the opponents in the AL Central as well as his own fans, on several occasions. Perez created significant headaches for his own organization when he ripped the attendance at Progressive Field in mid-May. That sparked a week of controversy and back-and-forth in the media. He then ripped the Cleveland fans' mentality again during the Tribe's series in New York, telling Clevelanders to get over LeBron and questioning their blind loyalty to the Browns.
↵As a 2012 All- Star, Perez will be returning to the unfriendly confines of Kauffman Stadium, where he's close to public enemy no. 1 after his comments during the Tribe's contentious opening road series this season and then his antics on the mound when KC subsequently visited Cleveland. For this visit to Kauffman, however, he will be accompanied by a public relations person, arranged by his representation, to deflect questions about the attendance at Progressive Field. Via Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com:
↵↵↵Chris Perez's reps will be sending a PR person with him to KC to deflect all further attendance/Browns/etc. questions. #Indians #MediaDay
↵— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) July 6, 2012
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↵If all else fails, he can just employ the Bryce Harper method of deflection, which the Nationals rookie utilized in Toronto when a Washington PR rep could not corral an intrepid Canadian reporter.
↵For more 2012 MLB All-Star game coverage, stay locked with this StoryStream. For moreIndians coverage, head over to Let's Go Tribe. And for more MLB news and expert analysis, be sure to check out Baseball Nation.