The Rocker Question
Cormac Eklof Wednesday, January 05, 2000
In a few childish, short and most likely absent minded minutes John Rocker did more damage to the Atlanta Braves 2000 World Series hopes than any Mike Piazza long ball could possibly do. He offended more people than your average Howard Stern show. He gave a news hungry sports press a prime time story and he incurred the wrath of every American (of sound mind) from Candlestick to Fenway park. Now everyone want's to know what's going to happen to Rocker. Fine him. Release him. Trade him. Dump him. Shoot him. The lynching mobs are oiled up and ready to go.
Rocker and the Mets fans have a history. The crazy Shea stadium crew just loves to hurl abuse at the rangy Atlanta Closer. Abuse amongst other things. In game four of the NL Pennant series in 1999 the Mets fans threw bottles, batteries and other items at Rocker as he ran in from the bullpen. Last week he fought back. "Imagine having to take the 7 train to (Shea Stadium) looking like you're (in) Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids,'' Rocker said. ''It's depressing.'' Okay. He went way over the top. And he wasn't even finished there. He continued by saying he didn't have much time for foreigners. As a role model for kids (whether he likes it or not) and a public figure he was practically begging to be punished with those archaic comments.
There is one huge problem with any sort of retribution, whether it be an enormous fine or the electric chair. Because of the country John Rocker lives in, and because of the constitution that he (as far as we know) adheres to, he has the God given right to say whatever he wants. To whoever he wants.
His comments were outrageously racist, sexist and homophobic, we all know that. Taking the man's money isn't going to make those comments made to a sports illustrated journalist go away. Taking away his livelihood by banning him isn't going to put any rosier a hue on his bizarre little tirade. The only thing drastic action like that will do is to fly in the face of the constitution of the United States of America, where freedom of speech is held so dear. Fining, firing or tar and feathering John Rocker means that the next time someone says anything we as a populace do not agree with they must face some sort of disciplinary action. The next Ku Klux Klan march would be the obvious place to start.
But that's the point. You can not reprimand people for their opinions on subjects, however volatile or indeed asinine their comments may be. That's the constitution. Period. If Baseball feels that it needs to distance itself from Rocker then by all means make him do serious community work. Show him the error of his ways. Remember Rod Rutledge, big Ben Coates back up with the Patriots? He recently completed the community service work he was sentenced to for the September incident in which he crashed into two tractor-trailer trucks in a rest area off Route 95. Rutledge worked for Brains at Risk, an organization that helps children with head and brain trauma. ''I'm really enjoying the work,'' said Rutledge. ''It's been very rewarding and hopefully it can do some good for the kids.'' Everyone's happy. The Police and NFL are happy that one of their boys is paying the price for a mistake he made, the kids were no doubt delighted to meet Rod and the big tight end himself sounds like he really got something from the experience. The question of course with similar action for the Atlanta fireballing closer would be, where would he start? I say send him to an AIDS ward in Beirut.