I can agree with just about all the sentiments expressed. Rocker is an asshole. He has the right to be an asshole, but I’m happy to see him get sent down–just because it’s nice to see bad stuff happen to assholes.
(I’d personally like to see him traded to the Mets and forced to ride the subway to work…but that’s just me.)
But I have to agree that Rocker was sent down for baseball reasons rather than anything else–he pitched shittily, so he was gone. He’ll be back in the Majors–he has a lot of talent to go with his little mind and great big mouth. That’s just sports.
HomeSlice said:
What scares me is that stupid people so frequently reproduce. So if you need help raising money for that vasectomy, HomeSlice, just let me know.
Well, then I’d call HIM an asshole, and make two phonecalls. One to my union, and the other to my lawyer. Don’t compare that to what Rocker did. The guy made some STUPID fucking comments. Yeah, we all do this from time to time. But he took it further than that. You’re not looking at the overall picture here. Rocker made his comments, gave the world a “tearjerking” apology six months ago, and promised to make a change for the better. Now, he’s back to his asshole ways. He goes out there and threatens an SI reporter. Ever hear the saying “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” I believe that applies. Apologies don’t mean shit unless your sincere when you give them.
Oh so he should only be booed and allowed to play. Since we’re playing hypothetical situations, I have one for you. Lets say Rocker and the Braves go the the Playoffs again, against any team. There’s a lot riding on the game, and Rocker decides to open his mouth again. This time a riot breaks out, or he incites a bench clearing brawl between the two teams. Yeah, you keep booing him, I want the fucker outta here.
The cream on the cake is this. If Rocker doesn’t come up from the minors within 20 days, he takes a serious paycut. Try going from a couple million to $300,000. Hit them where it hurts, in the wallet.
People are saying that Rocker’s right to say his mind has been violated by all this negative publicity… well, I disagree. Each right comes with responsibility, which includes accepting the consequences of what one does.
Rocker acted like an asshole. People hating him is the consequence. Moral of the story? Don’t act like an asshole.
Perhaps you are right about the Mets not wanting to sign him. But NO team wanting sign him? Don’t think so. Pithching is so thin in the majors right now that it doesn’t matter what kind of an asshole a guy is, as long as he can produce. From what I’ve seen, most of the fans have been very forgiving. If he learns to keep his mouth shut, the ruckus will certainly fade away.
Rocker is young, tough, cheap (by mlb standards), and left-handed. If the Braves wanted to trade him, they would do very well. If they release him, there would be no fewer than 20 teams willing to take a chance on him, with the Dodgers and Angels leading the way.
Assumimg, of course, that he can correct his mechanical problem and throw strikes again.
A lot of people seem to think this is about Constitutional rights. If the US Government was supressing Rocker, then it would be. However, his employer, the Atlanta Braves Baseball Club, is perfectly within its rights in suspending or releasing him if he says things they object to. If you are a hotshot VP at a major investment firm, and you give an interview with a magazine like Money, or Forbes, and say the kind of things Rocker did, you think you wouldn’t get fired? Hell no! You’d be on your ass in two seconds. Why do people think there is any difference here? This isn’t about the Constitution, this is about making your employer look bad, and making Major League Baseball look bad. They aren’t Contitutionally required to allow someone who is a big jerk to play in their league or on their team.
Personally, I don’t care whether he stays or goes. He is a big jerk, not to mention a major distraction on the Braves. I mean, he’s nuts! He blows save after save and then goes and attacks the dugout wall! What a freak.
I agree that most teams would love to have the Rocker of last year on their team. If he shuts his mouth and starts to pitch well again, he’ll find a good home. Then again, if he manages to do that, he might just stay where he is.
Then again, given the comments his teammates have been making, I’m not sure he’d be welcome back.
I just had to add this. Rocker was considering leaving baseball to become a stockbroker. According to CNNSI:
Reliever Kerry Ligtenberg added, “I knew he was interested in that, but I don’t know if he’s qualified. I don’t think you can just become a stockbroker. Maybe he could be a day trader.”
Perhaps you are right about the Mets not wanting to sign him. But NO team wanting sign him? Don’t think so. Pithching is so thin in the majors right now that it doesn’t matter what kind of an asshole a guy is, as long as he can produce. From what I’ve seen, most of the fans have been very forgiving. If he learns to keep his mouth shut, the ruckus will certainly fade away.
Rocker is young, tough, cheap (by mlb standards), and left-handed. If the Braves wanted to trade him, they would do very well. If they release him, there would be no fewer than 20 teams willing to take a chance on him, with the Dodgers and Angels leading the way.
Assumimg, of course, that he can correct his mechanical problem and throw strikes again.
**
[/QUOTE]
Oh yeah, assuming he KEEPS his mouth shut. We all saw how long that lasted from the time he issued his apology to now. This is an athlete with the mentality of a 16 year old. Granted, he’s young, but hell he’s one dumb son of a bitch to keep opening his mouth.
Yes, pitching is thin, but nobody in their right mind would sign Rocker. Hell, the MINOR Leagues don’t even want him! I’m sure you’ll be hearing NO knocks on his door if he were to be released. His own team can’t even stand him. You think another organization would tollerate that? Methinks not.
The game of baseball I love does not promote violence, it is not the NFL or the NHL. Baseball does have some violent interactions. Baseball though is about strategy and luck. Well maybe not as much “luck” - as streaks of it.
Milo, I agreed with you at the start of the season. I do not anymore. Rocker said he was “humbled” . . . he did not act humble. He said he was “sorry”, he did not act sorry. He said he would change, he never did. All he had to do was shut-up and get saves. He did neither. The man is a s stupid as he is talentless, and I hope he chooses another profession.
We agree on one thing - it’s a good thing that we don’t have to hear much from him anymore. (Unless he runs for office, that seems to be the thing for assholes to do!) You’re right about the threats to the SI reporter - making threats (I have not seen the exact words) is a serious offence, and should be dealt with as any criminal offence - arrest and prosecution. Being fired/demoted is not appropriate UNLESS all crimes are dealt with in the same way by the employer. Again, we have seen that they are not. Inciting a riot? Same story.
MysterEcks
Yeah, as long as it’s your definition of an asshole. God forbid one day some prick with any authority thinks that you are an asshole (I am definitely not implying anything, just illustrating a point) and tells you to take a 90% reduction in pay.
Spoofe
Agreed completely, act like an asshole, and face the consequence of people thinking you are one. Excellent summation, 'nuf said.
Merlyn, rid your own hometown of all assholes, then start ridding the rest of the world of its assholes. As soon as NY is “clean” then come help us out, OK?
Rocker is still blowing his mouth off! I saw in the paper he’s threatening to leave baseball, retire from the sport and become a stockbroker! Ooooh, should everyone in MLB quiver? Hell, throw the guy a going away party! I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t exactly feel SAFE having him handle my stocks. On a serious note, does he expect anyone to do anything for him, if he threatens to leave baseball? Back to the 16 year old mentality I guess.
It seems the Local NY radio stations are getting in on this Rocker ordeal too. Today Z100 was dedicating “I will remember you” by Sarah McLaughlan to John Rocker, in a very sarcastic way. K-Rock also was slamming Rocker on their promotions for their Disfunctional Family Picnic 4.0. While advertising the promotion, you heard John Rocker’s voice saying “I am not a racist.” “I am sorry.” Ah, NY holds a warm place in its heart for John Rocker.
ROFL! Merlyn, you crack me up. I envision you hammering away furiously at your keyboard with steam coming out your ears. Over what? NOTHING! LOL! There are people here with SERIOUS problems, like when the ice cream truck comes around and it’s not really ice cream, but Flavored Ice!!! Let’s get our priorities straight, man!
Rocker reported to the Triple A Richmond team last night. He did not pitch, but recieved cheers, cheers from the crowd. Oh and they were not even in Richmond - they were playing in Toledo. I just don’t get it, whatever.
Aw, people have such short attention spans… give the guy a year and he can win the humanitarian of the millenium award.
Personally, I wouldn’t care so damn much if he said some stupid stuff in an interview (was it for Playboy? I know Jesse Ventura did a Playboy interview… I think Rocker was just trying to copy The Body) and then, after the initial public booing, learned to keep his mouth shut and act a bit sheepish for a while.
'Stead, he says he’s sorry and keeps spouting off. A classic case of “This guy just hasn’t learned, has he?”
Glad you could contribute absolutely nothing to the flame in question, that being the John Rocker Situation. With that being said. Kindly shut the fuck up.
Have a nice day.
OK we agree John Rocker is an idiot. Every time he opens his mouth he proves he’s a bigger idiot. Every time he talks we wish he would shut the hell up. With that crack to Vogue you are getting damn close to joining John yourself.
Keith
