Extractions: Home Newswire About Us Donate ... Sign-Up Featured Views Share This Article With Your Friends Published on Monday, February 7, 2000 in the New York Observer John Rocker Is The Latest Hero For The Webs Far-Right by William Berlind John Rocker, the Atlanta Braves relief pitcher whose opinions about New York and its citizenry has earned him a monthlong suspension from baseball, may seem to be one of the sporting worlds great villains. But if baseballs commissioner, Bud Selig, really believes that Mr. Rockers comments "offended practically every element of society," he doesnt know his audience. In fact, Mr. Rocker has become a hero to thousands of non-New Yorkers who have made him a digital poster boy for on-line racists, bigots and New York-haters. For example, at Stormfront.org, the Webs largest and oldest white supremacist organization (now theres a claim to fame!), chat rooms are buzzing with hundreds of tributes to Mr. Rocker, who made news in December by castigating New Yorks gays, immigrants and single mothers. One chat room participant wrote a poem entitled "Off Your Rocker?" The poems sentiments can be summed up in four lines: "So you think that the countrys becoming/ A little bit over-exotic./ If you were a baseball player,/ Theyd suspect that you were psychotic." Not the sort of writing they teach in graduate school, although it does make its point clear. Another participant in the chat session said that "what the Jews and liberals fear the most, they fear the truth What we need to do is support John Rocker " The on-line magazine
Baseball Boneheads - Page 2 Of 2 john rocker In a Sports Illusted interview two years ago at the head of Dodgers catcherjohn Roseboro. Rivera Committed the cardinal sin of baseball by stealing http://baseball.about.com/cs/boneheads/index_2.htm
Hangin' Sliders I'll call this Hangin' Sliders named of course after the baseball term for a Aswe all know, Texas Rangers pitcher john rocker is one boneheaded bufoon. http://baseball.about.com/library/weekly/aa080802.htm
Extractions: A few years back, a witty online sports writer his name escapes me now sent a daily newsletter to users called "The SlapShot," an opinonated, often irreverent take on the world of sports. This thing was funny. I mean REALLY funny. I always said to myself that if I ever had the chance to copy someone's style, it would be his. So, Senor Slapshot, wherever you may be, I'd like to dedicate my baseball version of "The SlapShot" to you. I'll call this "Hangin' Sliders" - named of course after the baseball term for a terribly hittable pitch that just "hangs up there," waiting for the batter to crush it senseless. Now, batter up!
Extractions: John Rocker agreed to have his brains examined after his disparaging comments about almost everyone except white males. While we have some First Amendment concerns about Major League Baseball bothering John about being such a jerk, his having spoken out loud and saying what most "got mine, to hell with everybody else Americans" think but don't say out loud in this politically correct world was worth the price - an admission of sorts and certainly an insight to the white male American psyche's racism, sexism, bigotry, ethnocentricity and homophobic freedom of expression. Out of context or not, Rocker told SI, "Imagine having to take the Number 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing." "The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. 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?" Rocker also took a verbal shot at Japanese women who drive Toyotas. It could even be suggested Rocker might be unpatriotic for his blasting four-time losers. The criminal justice industry in this country, namely lawyers, judges, prison guards and construction companies could know no such boon without crime generally, the war on drugs specifically and a whole lot of people getting busted more than once.
Extractions: Outsides the Lines - John Rocker, the Atlanta Braves, and team cohesion. Bob Ley, Host - The clubhouse is a major leaguer's inner sanctum. Unidentified Atlanta Braves Player - Just like in a house, you know. Basically, you're a big family for 100-what-90-some-odd days or even more. Ley - Like any home, the clubhouse is a haven where harmony is the rule. Bob - You're together more than you are with your wife and children. So you have to, you know, have a certain cohesiveness in order to attain your goals. Ley - But have the actions and distractions of one Player disrupted the team chemistry of the Atlanta Braves? Brian Jordan, Braves Outfielder - Chemistry is a big part but, you know, but everybody's going to get along with everybody. That's almost impossible. Too many different personalities. Chipper Jones, Braves 3RD baseman - Nothing outside of the clubhouse should affect what happens between the lines. Ley - Today on Outsides the Lines, John Rocker, the Braves and team cohesion. How much can a clubhouse take?
Bad Editorials: Baseball, Assholes And The Constitution john rocker's verbal spitballs fouled that image and Selig has set a price on public Attorneysprepare the only compacts that matter in professional baseball. http://eserver.org/bs/editors/2000-2-2.html
Extractions: Baseball, Assholes and the Constitution Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Rocker is an asshole. There's just no denying it, and Rocker himself is in the middle of that sad discovery. The jeering Mets fans got it right on this one. When Rocker next sets foot in the Braves locker room, he'll have to face his teammates with apologies for his insulting comments in Sports Illustrated . When Rocker sets foot on the playing field, he'll face the contempt of baseball's public. If the team management trades their pitcher to the local dirtball league for two cents, that would be justice. Local community groups in Atlanta have called for Rocker's release and listening to their voices might be worthwhile. Rocker deserves every one of the problems he has created for himself with his loud, ignorant mouth. What Rocker does not deserve is the unilateral cancellation of his constitutional free speech protections by a private commercial organization, Major League Baseball. For those who do not follow the sports pages, MLB has fined Rocker $20,000 and suspended him until May 1 for comments that insulted immigrants, blacks, Asians and gays. The players' association will take the case to arbitration, arguing that Rocker is being punished for free speech off the baseball field. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig made his decision under the "best interests of baseball" clause, which allows him industrial powers of which other monopolists can only dream. Listen to Selig's sermon: "Major league baseball takes seriously its role as an American institution and the important social responsibility that goes with it. We will not dodge our responsibility. Mr. Rocker should understand that his remarks offended practically every element of society and brought dishonor to himself, the Atlanta Braves and major league baseball. The terrible example set by Mr. Rocker is not what our great game is about and, in fact, is a profound breach of the social compact we hold in such high regard."
Salon.com News | John Rocker, Whipping Boy john rocker, whipping boy He was torched for talking about New Yorkthe way baseball executives do. But he'd still be in the majors http://archive.salon.com/news/sports/2000/06/09/rocker/
Extractions: By Allen Barra I must be the only person in America who believes the Atlanta Braves. I think the only reason John Rocker is currently pitching for East Podunk is because he has been pitching lousy for the Braves. Never, ever forget that professional athletes are property, and as long as a property has value its owner isn't going to discard it. Ask Latrell Sprewell.
Salon.com News | John Rocker, Whipping Boy Punch Bradley, Judy Gore and the injustice being done john rocker By Camille Paglia01/11/00. Table Talk. Off his rocker Did baseball's bad boy get a bum rap? http://archive.salon.com/news/sports/2000/06/09/rocker/print.html
Extractions: By Allen Barra June 09, 2000 I must be the only person in America who believes the Atlanta Braves. I think the only reason John Rocker is currently pitching for East Podunk is because he has been pitching lousy for the Braves. Never, ever forget that professional athletes are property, and as long as a property has value its owner isn't going to discard it. Ask Latrell Sprewell. Here's a guy who tried to kill his coach twice! just a couple of years ago. By the end of the playoffs this season, New York call-in radio fans had gone from asking why the Knicks had ever acquired such a thug to praising him for not letting all the past turmoil interfere with his jump shot. The bottom line, the only line, with the Knicks' front office and the majority of New York area fans and sportswriters was that Sprewell was valuable to his team. Rocker didn't even choke anybody: He just choked. He couldn't handle all the post-apocalyptic flak. If Rocker had been throwing strikes this season, I guarantee you that by fall we'd be seeing editorials on his "newfound maturity" and "how good a job he did putting it all behind him."
SPORTS OF THE TIMES Sometime this week Bud Selig will drop the other shoe on john rocker. He'll decidewhat action baseball will take against the Atlanta Braves' impetuous relief http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/triumph-rocker.html
Extractions: January 9, 2000 By The Associated Press KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) The Atlanta Braves came Sunday to sign autographs. Instead, they wound up answering questions about John Rocker. Outfielder Andruw Jones, shortstop Walt Weiss and manager Bobby Cox were among those taking part in the promotion at the Braves' spring training site, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. ``It's disappointing,'' Jones said of Rocker's remarks. ``But I lived with Rocker for one year and he always was kind of crazy, but not to say stuff like that. I don't know if it came from his heart, or it came from his head or just stupidness.'' Rocker told Sports Illustrated he would never play for a New York team because he didn't want to ride a train ``next to some queer with AIDS.'' He also said, ``I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. ... How the hell did they get in this country?'' He called a black teammate a ``fat monkey,'' mocked the driving skills of Asian women and insulted single mothers. Rocker apologized for the remarks published last month and said he was not a racist.
John Rocker - StarIQ.com Recently, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig tossed rocker out of the game until thefirst of May. john rockers tirade against homosexuals, minority ethnic http://www.stariq.com/pagetemplate/article.asp?PageID=586
RateItAll - The Opinion Network I think that john rocker is a great baseball player. Web sites related tojohn rocker rockersucks.com. Official Site of Major League baseball. http://www.rateitall.com/item.asp?I=CCA15D93-8B74-4904-BE89-1D10F7485991
John Rocker But then something happened that should concern all of us. The commissioner ofmajor league baseball called for john rocker to undergo psychiatric tests. http://www.probe.org/docs/c-rocker.html
Extractions: Kerby Anderson Commentary January 20, 2000 John Rocker is a "closer" for the Atlanta Braves. For those of you who don't follow baseball, a closer is a pitcher who comes in the 9th inning to close out a game. That means he tries to get the 25th, 26th, and 27th outs by pitching to powerhouse hitters like Barry Bonds. Frankly, you've got to have a screw loose to take a job like that. And no one has ever accused John Rocker of being the most stable person in the world. Last fall when the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves met during the playoffs, Rocker said some things that lit up the rivalry. But it got ugly when he sat down for a Sports Illustrated interview. He called New York "Beirut," a refuge for criminals, welfare mothers, foreigners, and AIDS-infected homosexuals. Actually, I've cleaned up the language quite a bit. Reaction was harsh and swift, as it should be. But then something happened that should concern all of us. The commissioner of major league baseball called for John Rocker to undergo psychiatric tests. Apparently Bud Selig wants to know if John Rocker is off his rocker. I guess we shouldn't be so surprised given that we live in the age of therapy. Isn't this just one more example of attempting to medicalize behavior that is objectionable? John Rocker is an outspoken, obnoxious jerk. He doesn't need therapy.
John Rocker But certain people bother me. . Related Links. Bibliography. john rocker isa baseball pitcher who plays in the major leagues for the Atlanta Braves. http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/ethnic/individual/rocker/
Extractions: "Imagine having to take the Number 7 train to the ballpark nex to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of prison for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing." file:///MMR%202/Desktop%20Folder/portman%3Akix/rocker.gif "I'm not a racist or prejudiced person. But certain people bother me." Related Links Bibliography John Rocker is a baseball pitcher who plays in the major leagues for the Atlanta Braves. Next month will mark the one year anniversary of the beginning to Rocker's bumpy ride in the spotlight. Not only did his offensive comments cost him the respect of his fans, teammates and country, he temporarily lost the privilege to do what he loves most, play baseball. An interview with Sports Illustrated sparked rumors that this Rocker character was for real. When asked about New York City, Rocker replies, The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. 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?(Sports Illustrated, December 27, 1999) While some, and even most Americans find that type of mixed culture interesting and enriching, Rocker does not. He not only disagrees with this new wave notion, but voices his opinions in uncountable ways. His feelings are so strongly voiced that he has been compared to such hate-filled and driven icons as Charles Manson.
Off His Rocker The damage was done. Casual baseball onlookers soon learned of this playernamed john rocker. And these people were disgusted. rocker's http://www.baseballjunkies.com/articles/2000/march/off_his_rocker.htm
Extractions: Off His Rocker John Rocker Speaks His Mind First things first, I'm Vietnamese. Some of you obsessed with political correctness would call me Vietnamese North American. Others might say I am an Asian. One thing is for sure, I am an American. I wasn't born here but I was adopted into a family here when I was all of nine months young. I speak English, I understand what an unassisted triple play is, and I, like many other twenty-something boys, miss Daisy Dukes. I am not writing this article in hopes that I'll become the poster child for minority citizens everywhere. Nor am I writing this so I can damage the name of John Rocker (indeed he has done enough on his own). I am actually here to say that what he did was completely American. More than George Washington himself. John Rocker did not plead the fifth. Instead John Rocker embraced it. And for that he should be considered what he is, an American, a professional baseball player, a racist. John Rocker is not just a racist. He isn't just some bigot that crawled out of the woodwork to denounce every single minority group imaginable. Rocker is not just some MLB prospect that had aspirations of making the big time. Nor is Rocker a victim of the Vietnam War. He isn't trying to raise three children on food stamps. Rocker isn't struggling to fight the HIV virus every waking day. Rocker did what professional athletes in America do. He gave an interview for a well known publication in an effort to promote himself and his sport. Rocker also did what most athletes try to avoid. Rocker spoke his mind.
In The Hot Corner for that purpose. The latest, of course, is john rocker's earlierthan-expectedreturn to baseball. baseball's arbitrator Shyam http://www.sports.mediachallenge.com/hotcorner/indexrocker.html
Extractions: FAST TRACK FOR Coaches Athletes Administrators PLAYBOOK Media Image Speech Crisis **Hot Corner** Talent RESOURCES Bookstore SMC's Links Crisis Report Sponsorship ABOUT SMC Who Are We? Clients Press Room Employment Contact Us Consulting Coaching Tools SITE MAP Every month Sports Media Challenge discusses at least one incident or issue in the world of sports news. Most will be case studies or commentaries prompted by exposure in the news. We especially welcome ideas and comments from sports professionals including athletes, coaches, executives at all levels of sport including professional, collegiate and other amateur ranks. We will periodically include your comments and observations. An Analysis of the John Rocker Incident Why even separate the front page of the newspaper from the sports section any more? The line between the two is blurred lately with athletes' wrongdoings becoming weekly, sometimes daily features in local papers, TV news and sports radio call-in shows not to mention web sites designed solely for that purpose. The latest, of course, is John Rocker's earlier-than-expected return to baseball.
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Extractions: It's a hard call to make. I personally feel that the whole story was beaten to death. I am not willing to judge Rocker based on one interview where the reporter did his best to goad the young man into making 'big bad' statements. I also think it's pathetic that people have wanted to do him harm based on his right to free speech. Before people go after Rocker, go after David Duke you morons! Rocker screwed up - nothing new for a baseball player. Al Martin beat the crap out of his wife but the story has faded. Bobby Choiunard waved a gun at his wife (which he'd done before) and THAT story vaporized. Pedro Astacio pleaded GUILTY to smacking his wife around and the story went POOF until they said they'd deport him, as all immigrants convicted of a felony can be, then the press kind of noticed. You know the rules: If it bleeds, it leads and Rocker is a bleeding mess.
Baseball-Photos.com baseballPhotos.com. by Joy. Pic 115 john rocker at Camden Yards 7/13/2000,Pic 116 john rocker - talking to a friend of mine 7/13/2000. http://www.baseball-photos.com/photo6.html
