Posted on 07/19/2005 4:50:07 AM PDT by TomB
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers had another run-in with a cameraman Monday when he turned himself in on misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an earlier tirade against two cameramen.
The three-time All-Star, who is appealing a 20-game suspension and $50,000 fine, was released after posting $1,500 bond. Rogers jawed at a cameraman for Dallas-Fort Worth television station WFAA as he was booked into the county jail. Just as with the incident that led to the charges, the exchange was caught on tape.
WFAA reported on its Web site Monday that photographer Mike Zukerman was videotaping the procedure when Rogers turned to him and said, "You're getting really close; you know that? Do you hear me?"
A few seconds later, Rogers again turned to the camera, saying, "You must be pretty proud of yourself, too."
After Zukerman replied, "It's just my job, Kenny," Rogers responded: "Yeah. Your job. That's just your excuse."
Rogers was not available for comment before Monday's game against the New York Yankees at Ameriquest Field. He is scheduled to pitch Thursday at home against Oakland.
Rangers officials said they don't know if Rogers' appeal will be heard Thursday or Friday. However, no hearing date has been set, according to MLB and players' association officials Monday.
"We'll miss him in those three, four starts he'll miss," Rangers owner Tom Hicks said. "He's our best pitcher."
The Rangers lost three of four games in a weekend series at Oakland, and Rogers (11-4, 2.54 ERA) was the winning pitcher in the only victory. A circus pregame atmosphere returned to Ameriquest Field with the arrival of the Yankees and news of Rogers turning himself in.
"It's not a distraction as long as we can go out and do what we do on the field," Rangers shortstop Michael Young said. "That's what we do best, and [Rogers' situation] doesn't translate onto the field."
Rogers, 40, faces a Class A misdemeanor charge of assault with injury in the shoving of KDFW-TV cameraman Larry Rodriguez, Arlington police spokeswoman Christy Gilfour said.
Police also will mail to Rogers' attorney a Class C misdemeanor assault citation for the shoving of Fox Sports Net Southwest cameraman David Mammeli, Gilfour said.
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000, or both. A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $500.
On June 29, Rogers lashed out at the cameramen as they taped him walking to the field for pregame stretching. The episode led to Rodriguez being treated at a hospital after the camera was ripped from his hands and thrown to the ground.
Rogers apologized a week later, saying the incident was out of character and would never happen again.
Gilfour said Fox Sports -- which owns the camera Rogers damaged in the shoving of Rodriguez -- has declined to press criminal charges.
Rogers was booed at last week's All-Star Game, but he said he came because he wanted the players who voted for him to know he appreciated it. He didn't want those votes to be wasted.
Before giving up six runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings at Los Angeles on June 22, Rogers won nine straight decisions, a career best, and was the AL ERA leader. It wasn't known until after he pulled out of a start June 28 against the Angels that he had a broken bone in his non-pitching hand by punching a water cooler 11 days earlier.
This guy has some issues.
"Yeah. Your job. That's just your excuse."
Rogers has an excuse. He's an A-hole.
The crowd at the All-Star game must have driven him crazy with all their boos.
When they introduced him he just gave the camera a dirty look.
If you see the video, he stares at the camera man like he wants to kill him.
I saw it.
When the cameraman incident first happened, I was actually one of the few people who backed him up and forgave him for wigging out.
But after this incident.. Staring down the cameraman.. What a pathetic, lost soul.
punk
You're right about that. If any of us peons ever treated someone else like that, we would be terminated immediately. I'm also tired of treating these celebs like they are role models. Give me a break......
When Darrell Waltrip retired from NASCAR he left a message for the other drivers. Basically he said that the cameras are a pain in the butt. They catch all your worst moments, but someday they will be gone and you will miss them.
That's true. I'm glad the cameras aren't on me. I'd have a lot of worst moments. Hah!
LOL
I disagree. The media clymers want to be provocative but don't want to deal with the consequences. If the guy asks for some privacy, turn the cameras off.
Drivers and media have reached an agreement in NASCAR. The cameras will film an angry driver but generally they don't stick a microphone in thier face till he's ready to talk.
For a taste of your whiskey I’ll give you some advice.
...if you’re gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em,
Know when to punch a cameraman, and know when to run.
You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.
"I promise I'll never do it again" Well except for next time, of course.
One day he's going to throw a little fit at the wrong person.
You might want to check that out with your team lawyer before you file suit. Firing him wouldn't be a good move. He would be picked up by another team in a heart beat and you wouldn't have a penny to show for your efforts. Trading him may be your best move.
Before you buy a team get a good general manager.
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