John Rocker is Back

bulldog55 · 04-08-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Rocker hopes to rejuvenate career with Ducks
ESPN.com news services

John Rocker signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League on Thursday.

The left-handed reliever became the center of controversy while with the Atlanta Braves in 1999 when he made derogatory comments in Sports Illustrated about gays and minorities.

He agreed to a one-year deal with the Ducks.

"John Rocker wants to pitch on Long Island," Ducks pitching coach and former big leaguer Dave LaPoint said. "He had opportunities to pitch elsewhere and he chose to pitch here."

The 30-year-old Rocker hasn't pitched in the majors since 2003, when he allowed one run, two hits and three walks in one inning for Tampa Bay. He had surgery in July of that year to repair a torn rotator cuff, a procedure that normally requires 12-18 months of recuperation.

Rocker threw 94-96 mph and sometimes reached 98 mph while saving 83 games as the Braves' closer from 1998-01. He struggled after he was traded to Cleveland in 2001, with his fastball topping out in the low 90s, and was dealt to Texas before the 2002 season. He had a 9.15 ERA in 17 appearances with Double-A Orlando when Tampa Bay released him in June 2003.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2032048

Long Island! His favorite place!

TheRockCT · 04-08-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog55

Long Island! His favorite place!

Oh, man. They'll eat him alive.

Bobbuttons · 04-08-2005, 03:47 PM

Do the Ducks have to replace the u in there name with an i now?

bulldog55 · 04-08-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

Do the Ducks have to replace the u in there name with an i now?

The first that came to mind was F for D, but that works too.

marioh · 04-08-2005, 04:02 PM

Boy, is he gonna feel outta place with no fellow hicks for hundreds of miles.

KurtBevacqua · 04-08-2005, 04:04 PM

I remember how much he said he enjoyed the subway.

TotalEnd98 · 04-08-2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

Do the Ducks have to replace the u in there name with an i now?

The first that came to mind was F for D, but that works too.

The Long Island Ficks?

bulldog55 · 04-08-2005, 04:36 PM

Yeah, like Rob Fick. He was a Brave too. Get it?

TotalEnd98 · 04-08-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog55

Yeah, like Rob Fick. He was a Brave too. Get it?

I was going to attach a picture of him, but I didn't think anybody would understand.

JDOldSchool · 04-08-2005, 05:23 PM

Does this really qualify as being back?

Karros270 · 04-08-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

Does this really qualify as being back?

Back in the news perhaps?

Bobbuttons · 04-08-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

Does this really qualify as being back?

I did hear that Shady was back.

Anonymous Ghost · 04-08-2005, 10:29 PM

Guess the Long Island team wants to play a game of "Duck, Duck, Ass" to entertain their fans between innings.

statfreak · 04-08-2005, 10:33 PM

well I am glad to see it. I like John Rocker and hopes he does well enough to make it back to the big leagues. It saddens me that people are ignorant enough to believe that he is really a homophobic racist. Either people have not read his original comments are just are that dumb.

You all know that several of his hispanic and black minor league teammates used to live in his parents house with him. Tell me, does a racist usually let the minority he despises so much live with him?!?

Obviously people are going to believe what they want, regardless of the facts and truth. I have no desire to argue with any one's opinion and wish Mr. Rocker the best of luck in his comeback attempt.

statfreak · 04-08-2005, 10:35 PM

dola, I love how it's much worse to hurt someone feelings than it is to beat your wife or murder someone.

Anonymous Ghost · 04-08-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statfreak

You all know that several of his hispanic and black minor league teammates used to live in his parents house with him. Tell me, does a racist usually let the minority he despises so much live with him?!?

Yep, slave owners like Thomas Jefferson never kept his house slaves in the bedroom next door...

statfreak · 04-08-2005, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous Ghost

Yep, slave owners like Thomas Jefferson never kept his house slaves in the bedroom next door...

don't mean to be a jerk, but you are now insinuating John Rocker somehow owned his teammates?!? Like I said, I'm not going to debate your opinion, but your comment is really out of place and frankly, unwarranted.

I realize you can't dispute the facts, but try to keep your posts within reason.

Thank you.

swampdragon · 04-08-2005, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statfreak

well I am glad to see it. I like John Rocker and hopes he does well enough to make it back to the big leagues. It saddens me that people are ignorant enough to believe that he is really a homophobic racist. Either people have not read his original comments are just are that dumb.

You all know that several of his hispanic and black minor league teammates used to live in his parents house with him. Tell me, does a racist usually let the minority he despises so much live with him?!?

Obviously people are going to believe what they want, regardless of the facts and truth. I have no desire to argue with any one's opinion and wish Mr. Rocker the best of luck in his comeback attempt.

I thought he was treated very badly in that SI interview. It's clear that he's a country boy and felt completely out of place in New York. Needless to say, he didn't explain it very well, and he's paid dearly. The firestorm and his reaction to it cost him his career. From what I know about Long Island, if he's far enough east, the fans will be OK with him. Most of them don't like to go into the big city, either. I wish him well, too, but I think he's done.

Anonymous Ghost · 04-09-2005, 12:31 AM

Read what you actually asked:

Quote:

Originally Posted by statfreak

Tell me, does a racist usually let the minority he despises so much live with him?!?

rudel.dietrich · 04-09-2005, 02:04 PM

EDIT:
Going back and reading his comments, no, I don't hate NYC for the same reasons.

04-08-2005, 03:47 PM	#3
Bobbuttons Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Picturesque Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio Posts: 3,708	Do the Ducks have to replace the u in there name with an i now? __________________ Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do....cause they're fast! Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4; I don't believe what I just saw! I don't believe what I just saw!

04-08-2005, 04:04 PM	#6
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	I remember how much he said he enjoyed the subway. __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

04-08-2005, 04:36 PM	#8
bulldog55 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: California's Canada Warnings: 17 Posts: 2,479	Yeah, like Rob Fick. He was a Brave too. Get it? __________________ Commissioner, Trans-Continental Base Ball Association Owner/GM, Los Angeles Electrics (TCBA), Beaverton Rangers (OTBL), Portland Mavericks (Union League), and Los Angeles Superbas (Century League) Being smart, don't always make you popular.

04-08-2005, 10:33 PM	#14
statfreak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 2,434	well I am glad to see it. I like John Rocker and hopes he does well enough to make it back to the big leagues. It saddens me that people are ignorant enough to believe that he is really a homophobic racist. Either people have not read his original comments are just are that dumb. You all know that several of his hispanic and black minor league teammates used to live in his parents house with him. Tell me, does a racist usually let the minority he despises so much live with him?!? Obviously people are going to believe what they want, regardless of the facts and truth. I have no desire to argue with any one's opinion and wish Mr. Rocker the best of luck in his comeback attempt. __________________ Roll out the barrel!

04-08-2005, 10:35 PM	#15
statfreak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 2,434	dola, I love how it's much worse to hurt someone feelings than it is to beat your wife or murder someone. __________________ Roll out the barrel!

04-08-2005, 04:02 PM	#5
marioh All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,162	Boy, is he gonna feel outta place with no fellow hicks for hundreds of miles.

04-08-2005, 05:23 PM	#10
JDOldSchool Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,023	Does this really qualify as being back?

04-08-2005, 10:29 PM	#13
Anonymous Ghost All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 751	Guess the Long Island team wants to play a game of "Duck, Duck, Ass" to entertain their fans between innings.

04-09-2005, 02:04 PM	#20
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	EDIT: Going back and reading his comments, no, I don't hate NYC for the same reasons. Last edited by rudel.dietrich; 04-09-2005 at 02:14 PM.