|
|
MLB |
Scores Schedules Standings Statistics Transactions Injuries: AL | NL Players Weekly Lineup Message Board Minor Leagues MLB Stat Search Clubhouses |
Sport Sections |
|
Saturday, June 10 | |||||
Selig won't discipline Rocker further | |||||
CHICAGO -- John Rocker's demotion to the minors is
punishment enough for his latest episode of bad behavior, and
commissioner Bud Selig doesn't see a need to discipline him
further.
Selig, who was at the Cubs-White Sox game on Saturday afternoon,
said he was "not stunned, but surprised" when he heard Rocker
threatened the reporter who wrote the story about his views on
foreigners, gays and minorities. The Atlanta Braves demoted Rocker to
Triple-A Richmond on Monday, one day after the incident.
"I meant what I said Monday, I was saddened," Selig said. "I
had talked to him myself. I watched the situation very closely.
It's hard for me sometimes to comprehend what people are thinking
about.
"I believe very strongly in personal responsibility," he
added. "Life is not a one-way street."
Selig suspended Rocker for the first month of the regular season
and fined him $20,000 after his comments appeared in a December
issue of Sports Illustrated, but an arbitrator reduced the
suspension to two weeks and the fine to $500. The pitcher also was
ordered to undergo sensitivity training.
He had a chance encounter last Sunday with Jeff Pearlman, the
reporter who wrote the story. Pearlman said Rocker made threatening
comments such as, "This isn't over between us," and, "Do you
know what I can do to you?" The two-minute confrontation became so
heated Rocker flipped around the bill of his cap so he could get
face-to-face with Pearlman.
Though the Braves said Rocker was demoted to work on his control -- he'd given up 25 walks in 18 1/3 innings -- the run-in made the
move a no-brainer.
"They reacted quickly," Selig said. "At this point, no, I
don't feel the need to do anything."
Though he's been jeered plenty this season, Rocker has also
heard his share of cheers. He's even gotten a few standing
ovations. On Friday night, when he made his first minor league
appearance in Toledo, Ohio, he signed autographs during the game.
Rocker struck out the side in the ninth inning against the
Toledo Mud Hens. Richmond plays at Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday
night.
"How people react is not something I can control," Selig said.
"To be frank with you, I did what I did because it was the right
thing to do. I still think it was the right thing to do."
In other matters, Selig said he considers interleague play, in
its fourth season, a success. Fans love to see rivalries like the
Cubs-White Sox and the Mets-Yankees, he said.
"Can it get any better than this?" he asked. "Walking into
the ballpark today, the electricity is just marvelous."
Though White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said he would like to see
series like the Cubs-White Sox moved to the end of the season to
make them even more meaningful, Selig disagreed. With pennants and
playoff spots on the line late, teams should be playing teams in
their own league, he said.
He also doesn't want to add more interleague games.
"I'm thrilled with interleague play," he said. "(But) any
more than 15-18 games would be too much." | ALSO SEE Rocker rips reporters, mows down Mud Hens |