In what is the ending of one of the most bizarre stories of the Major League season, Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez has pled no contest to misdemeanor charges stemming from a delivery to his home, of a package containing nine ounces of marijuana and addressed to his dog Brody Perez.
“You’re highly regarded; kids look up to you,” Judge Brian Hagan said. “But you made a big mistake. I hope that through your efforts you can deter someone else from making that same mistake.”
Hagan sentenced Perez to pay a $250 fine, to spend one year on probation, to complete Major League Baseball’s substance abuse treatment program, and to make at least one appearance speaking to high school aged students about the dangers of doing drugs.
According to Perez’s defense attorney, Terry Gilbert, Perez is already participating in the MLB Drug Program. Under the MLB Joint Drug Agreement, treatment and not a suspension, is the standard way that the league handles a first time marijuana related offence.
“For all intents and purposes, his life is on a good track,” Gilbert said.
Meanwhile the charges against Perez’s wife Melanie are still pending. However the prosecuting attorney, Michael O’Shea, says that as long as she passes her drug test next week it is expected that she will also be fined and given one year’s probation.
The 28-year-old Perez has gone 21/25 in save opportunities this season and has a 5-2 won/loss record and 3.15 ERA.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to leave your comments below, follow our baseball department on twitter @LastWordMatt, @Nvincelli and @lastwordmark. You can also the site while you are at it – @lastwordonsport.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
