John Rocker, 25, expressed his opinion, and now he must receive psychological testing in addition to dealing with public outrage over disparaging comments.
The Atlanta Braves star reliever has been ordered to undergo mental evaluations because of his recent published remarks about homosexuals and minorities. Although he issued an apology and retraction, his mental stability is now in question because of his opinions.
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig will wait for the test results before he decides what form of discipline will be mandated for the outspoken pitcher. His order was leaked to the press and has angered the players association.
Rocker has always been outspoken and unguarded when expressing his opinions. He was interviewed for the current issue of Sports Illustrated and his feud with New York teams and fans was brought up.
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John Rocker must have a mental exam before baseball officials decide what to do about his colorful remarks about New York fans. Last year he saved 38 games for the Atlanta Braves.
Credit photo "Courtesy of Major League Baseball." |
Rocker said he would quit baseball rather than play for a New York team.
"Imagine having to take the (No.) 7 train to (Shea Stadium) looking like you're (in) Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing," Rocker stated.
"The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners," he went on. "You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians, and Koreans, and Vietnamese, and Indians, and Russians, and Spanish people, and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?"
His remarks drew immediate criticism. Atlanta fans began demanding refunds for season tickets. His teammates were upset, as was the team staff, including Hall of Famer Hank Aaron who questioned how Rocker could continue in baseball.
Selig initially said Rocker's remarks were "inappropriate and offensive" and promised, "We will take appropriate action." Now he has decided that before taking action he wants to know if Rocker is mentally ill.
"The viewpoints attributed to John Rocker in no way reflects the views of the Atlanta Braves organization," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said in a statement. "He works for us, but in no way do the comments, attitude and feelings represent those of the Atlanta Braves."
Current Braves players have not had anything positive to say about Rocker. Ryan Klesko, recently traded to San Diego, told USA Today that he thinks Rocker is "not a bad guy."
"He's not one of those guys who hates everyone like everybody thinks. He's young. He's a good guy," said Klesko.
Despite the critics, Laird Wilcox told WorldNetDaily that Rocker told it like he sees it and is now being demonized because he expressed his opinion.
"And that's the way a lot of other people see it, too," said Wilcox about Rocker's controversial comments. Wilcox is the author of many books on extremist groups in America, including his newest book, "The Watchdogs." He maintains the largest collection of books and research on extremism from both the left and right in the country.
He said there are groups with an agenda ready to attack anyone who opposes them or can be used to further their cause. Fear and intimidation are used by such groups to control public thinking.
Regardless of whether Rocker has the right of free speech to express his views, the Atlanta Braves will not tolerate his behavior because they will suffer economically, according to Wilcox.
"There's not much anyone can do, if you stop and think about it. Anyone who's economically vulnerable is going to be vulnerable to this kind of harassment and intimidation. It's really a form of terrorism if you stop and look at it," said Wilcox.
He called it ritual defamation. Calling people names.
"It's been used for centuries. In primitive societies it's very often the only tool to control behavior -- to call people names. When you look at it carefully, that is really all the watchdogs do. If you look at the production of watchdog activities almost all of it is devoted to calling people names," Wilcox told WorldNetDaily.
Rocker did release a statement in which he retracted his remarks and said he is not a racist.
"While I have evidenced strong competitive feelings about New York fans in the past, and take responsibility for things I have said publicly, including the Sports Illustrated article, I recognize that I have gone way too far in my competitive zeal," he said.
He blamed his emotions and poor judgment for the remarks.
"Everyone makes mistakes and I hope everyone can put this aside and begin the 2000 season with a fresh start," Rocker said. "I am contrite."
The baseball commissioner may now have an additional controversy on his hands. His statement about the need for a mental evaluation was leaked to the Associated Press. The players' union is now upset because the mental evaluation was made public.
"I am profoundly concerned about the nature of those comments as well as by certain other aspects of his behavior. As a result, following consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association, we have determined that Mr. Rocker will undergo a psychological evaluation, which I expect to be concluded expeditiously. At that time, I will take whatever additional action that I consider to be necessary," said Selig in the leaked statement.
Medical reports about baseball players are usually kept confidential. The players association expressed strong disapproval of the decision by Selig. A spokesman said they did not authorize release of the statement, and the players association is upset with the characterization of Rocker.
Mets fans victimized Rocker last fall. After a game in September he told the press that he enjoyed beating the Mets. He had called the fans "stupid," and a "tired act," before arriving at Shea Stadium for three games in the October playoffs.
"I would say the majority of Mets fans aren't even human," Rocker said after the game. "I've said how brutal the fans were and how disgusting they were. They were worse than I ever suspected."
The fans were relentless and vulgar. They threw batteries and other items at him, and he said they also shouted vulgar remarks to his mother. Rocker did not let them get him down and went on to beat the Mets.
Certainly one of the most difficult aspects of the whole Rocker situation is that he is such a good left-handed reliever. Last year he saved 38 games for the Braves, just one game short of the team record.
Baseball has not tolerated ethnic or racial slurs in recent years. Ethnic remarks got former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott suspended from baseball in 1993.
Maybe a statement Rocker made following the controversial games with the Mets says it best.
"Baseball is just a game and no matter what happens, my parents still love me."