Chop Chop All;

Here is a little more information about Rocker, from today's edition of Total
Baseball Daily:


Baseball commissioner BUD SELIG handed Atlanta reliever JOHN ROCKER a 28-day
suspension and a $20,000 fine Monday for Rocker's comments that "offended
practically every element of society," Selig said. "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 players union predictably said it would appeal the suspension, believed to
be the longest against a baseball player not involving drug use since March
1977, when LENNY RANDLE of Texas got 30 days for punching manager Frank
Lucchesi. "I do not believe it is appropriate that I should be harshly
disciplined for my misguided speech unaccompanied by any conduct on my part,"
Rocker said in a statement released by his agents. "I have previously
apologized for my unfortunate remarks and stand by my apology." "We have
been in consultation with Mr. Rocker and it is our present intention to
appeal," said Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 official. "It is literally
unprecedented to impose a penalty on a player for pure speech, offensive though
the speech may be. That, coupled with the magnitude of the penalty, just as
unprecedented, makes us optimistic about the outcome of the appeal."

Rocker, 25, was also barred from joining the rest of the Braves pitchers and
catchers when they report to spring training Feb. 17. Braves president
STAN KASTEN said he hoped Rocker would not appeal the penalty so that the club
could get on with the business of the upcoming season. "We believe that even
after this process is complete, there are still two hurdles that remain," Kasten
said. "John still has to reconcile himself with his teammates. After
that, he has to reconcile himself with the community. It's not
automatic. But with the right effort and the right attitude, I think it's
possible."


Glenn A. Koch
Huntsville, Alabama

gkochsr@...

1999 Atlanta Braves
National League East Champions



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