(John) Rocker issues apology for latest anti-gay statements

CNN/Sports Illustrated ^ | 8.5.02

[mhking]

DALLAS (AP) -- Texas Rangers pitcher John Rocker issued a written apology Monday for anti-gay remarks he made toward patrons of a popular eatery.

Rocker said he was with his girlfriend on Sunday at Breadwinners Cafe & Bakery when some customers began badgering and pestering him.

[mlocher]

"At that point, I admit I was angry and said some things I probably should not have said, but I wanted to make it clear their attentions were unwelcome," he said.

anytime some apologizes with a 'but' included, it is not much of an apology. i don't follow baseball and have only heard rocker's name mentioned twice, but if he is an ambassador to the game (and he is), i can see why the nation's pasttime is quickly losing money and going down hill.

[NeoCaveman]

How old is Rocker, and how bad is his injury? I'm thinking the Diamondbacks might need a closer after Hyome Ryun Kim finally sustains a neck injury following the path of the ball over his head and into the wild blue yonder.

I remember when he was traded to the Indians it was the biggest event (on sports talk radio) since the Browns move ....he did not work out. I was thrilled to have him here...I was at a game and we all went nuts as he charged the field. Once he started dogging on the closer who was already on the team we learned he was an A$$hole and the only team who would take him was the Texas Rangers.

[glc1173@aol.com]

Bumper sticker sold at all gun shows around here (North Carolina) says what Red Nation's citizens think:

JOHN ROCKER WAS RIGHT

[MinorityRepublican]

How old is Rocker, and how bad is his injury? I'm thinking the Diamondbacks might need a closer after Hyome Ryun Kim finally sustains a neck injury following the path of the ball over his head and into the wild blue yonder.

According to ESPN, he was born on October 17, 1974. So that will make him around 27 years old. That's pretty young. But he hasn't been the same in the past couple of years. Once he was a very dominant closer. We'll see if he gets out of his slump, if ever.

I'm not sure how bad his injury is.

[Intolerant in NJ]

"He's human but he should know better," Breadwinners manager Feletia Lee told Dallas-Fort Worth television station KDFW. "There are a lot of people here who aren't going to go to any Rangers games again...instead of putting on her holier-than-thou, morally outraged, self-righteous act after the fact this "manager" should have been busy making sure that Rocker, a patron in her establishment, was able to enjoy his outing and meal there without being harrassed by a bunch of goons - if I owned the place Felatio Lee, or whatever her name is, would be out of a job......

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

only black guys like AI are allowed to get away with that, John...

Alan Iverson found out where the black man stands in today's PC pecking order - a distant second. Reggie White discovered that too. Iverson either flipped off some fruit loop at a game, or called someone a faggot. He was later tormented by the media for his criminal actions.

The pink nazis rule in today's America.

[jeremiah]

I wouldn't apologize one bit, he should get on tv and explain it wasn't the words they taunted him with, but the smell of excrement coming from their mouths.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Sounds to me like Rocker was trying to walk away and the gays in the restaurant were egging him on to say something....

[Peter Libra]

It would be interesting if someone would finally "take the bull by the horns" and make this statement. I live in the country with the First Amendment to the Constitution- what do you intend to do"? This in a any particular case where comments like John Rocker's were made,and the full fury of the PC was unleashed.

Some of us here as Freepers, have made some very un PC remarks about homosexuals (including yer deponent). Yet, I can truthfully say, I wish them no evil, as long as they keep themselves to themselves.

Otherwise, as quoted from Henry Miller's book, The Rosy Crucifiction. Nexus Two. " May ye bugger and slaughter each other to kingdom come".

I just wonder what would happen if the bluff of the PC Nazis was called.

[CIBvet]

Those HOMO-punks were just doggin' him ... hoping he'd lose it so they could sic their liberal laaw-ya pals on him and go for the big lawsuit.

Of course he does seem to have a rather short fuse, but sounds like he handled the situation pretty well, all considered ... other than making the apology. ugh!!!

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Rocker said he finished his meal and got up to leave. Then, he said, the unidentified patrons followed him out of the restaurant, located in a predominantly gay neighborhood, and made an obscene gesture.

It wasn't heckling but an invitation. He should have kicked their butts. I think he's learning.

[Jim Scott]

It wasn't heckling but an invitation. He should have kicked their butts.

Perfectly true; I agree.

I think he's learning.

Well, he may be learning that as a public figure, he has no chance. The slightest negative word toward homosexuals from a John Rocker will be met with almost universal media condemnation, no matter the heckling or gestures thrown at him by militant homosexual activists looking for a PR op.

Welcome to PC America where homosexuals are untouchable and have been elevated to the status of royality by the media as well as the legal system. Meanwhile, the 97% of straight Americans continue to put up with this. Are we nuts?

[Elsie]

Are we nuts?

...you REALLY have to ask?

[kapn kuek]

Yeah, and I'm sure that there are a lot of people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who aren't going to be going to Breadwinners Cafe & Bakery anymore, now that they know that Feletia "PC" Lee is the manager there.

My feelings exactly! It is probably full of fecal covered workers anyway.

[kapn kuek]

anytime some apologizes with a 'but' included, it is not much of an apology

He should not have apologised at all! He should have stood up to minority terrorism (MT).

[kapn kuek]

I just wonder what would happen if the bluff of the PC Nazis was called.

One way to fight back is to call it what it is, minority terrorism (MT). There is nothing "political" and certainly nothing "correct" about what the homosexuals do!

[mlocher]

He should not have apologised at all! He should have stood up to minority terrorism (MT).

it appears rocker took the middle ground: not much of an apology vs either fully apologizing or not aplogizing. with the middle ground he showed his true colors.

[StockAyatollah]

Rocker should heed John Wayne's advice: "Never apologize. Its a sign of weakness".

[kapn kuek]

Rocker should heed John Wayne's advice: "Never apologize. Its a sign of weakness".

I have followed John Wayne's advice many times and it has paid off. Rocker should start acting like a real man and quit be mealy mouthed. He should demand compensation from the restaurant for allowing the harrasment from the minority terrorist.

[joebuck]

So, Rocker lashes out against people attacking him and it's front page news. His former employer, Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner, can make polack jokes, ridicule the pope, spout anti-christian statments and the media doesn't even notice. It appears that the media really has nothing against hate just as long as it's PC approved hate.