TOLEDO, Ohio -- Fans probably won't be able to get
face-to-face with John Rocker
when he arrives in the minor leagues.
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Rocker's first stop in the minors likely will be in Toledo if he
reports to Triple-A Richmond on time. Toledo Mud Hens officials
already are planning to increase security around the clubhouse and
bullpen when or if he arrives.
The Atlanta Braves demoted their top reliever Monday, one day
after he threatened the Sports Illustrated reporter who wrote the
story about Rocker's offensive views on foreigners, gays and
minorities.
Rocker was fined after the confrontation, but Braves manager
Bobby Cox said Rocker was sent down because he's had trouble
throwing strikes. Rocker has 25 walks in 18 1/3 innings.
Rocker was given three days to report to the minors, meaning he
probably will be in Toledo on Wednesday or Thursday. He told the
Braves he would have to talk to his agent before reporting to the
minors.
Visiting players at Toledo's Skeldon Stadium normally must walk
from the clubhouse and through the crowd in order to reach the
field.
Rocker, however, won't be brought past the fans, said Mud Hens
general manager Joe Napoli.
"There are ways to get him on the field other than walking from
the locker room and through the crowd," Napoli said. "We do it so
that the fans can't anticipate where he's entering from."
Extra off-duty police officers also will be brought in for the
three-game series, which starts Wednesday.
"We want to provide the safest environment for not only John
Rocker but also our fans," Napoli said.
Napoli said fans began calling about tickets within hours of
Rocker's demotion.
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