11/21/24
August 07, 2002
Rocker's newest target: "Fruitcakes": Baseball's favorite whipping boy is here to take some heat off of Bud Selig. He says he was provoked, witnesses say he wasn't. Personally, I think he handled himself okay, could have done better, but when your track record is as piss-poor as Johnny's you don't get cut any slack in this situation.
He's just a dumb guy who can throw a ball really well (okay, he used to throw well). Why does his opinion warrant so much damn attention?
posted by insomnyuk at 09:34 AM on August 07, 2002
I'm wondering the same thing, nyuk. If baseball is going to treat the guy like he was a wayward child, why not go all the way and just announce to the press that John Rocker has been grounded for two weeks? "Rocker says stupid thing" shouldn't be headline news at this point.
posted by rcade at 09:38 AM on August 07, 2002
I'm curious to see if anybody will give him any credit for showing some restraint. Can we admit that "fruitcake" is a magnitude or two of difference away from "faggot"? Him and his girlfriend removed themselves from the situation before it got out of hand. It's interesting to me because of how a player's (or any celebrities') reputation can follow them around and make them susceptible to being accused of stuff. Did Charles Barkley and Mike Tyson do all the things they were accused of out in public? Probably not but their track record hurt their chances to defend themselves. I think that phenomenon is at play here. Rocker's opinion warrants some attention because the media will carry it far and wide. And just because somebody has a penchant for saying dumb things doesn't mean that we can't kick around the NEXT dumb thing they say. Go check out MeFi the next time GWB gives a verbal gaffe and you'll see that,
posted by vito90 at 09:47 AM on August 07, 2002
Go check out MeFi the next time GWB gives a verbal gaffe and you'll see that, I disagree. In the grand scheme of politics, Bush is a Big Fish. In the grand scheme of baseball, Rocker is a minnow. I'm waiting for the Onion article which says "Amateur hockey player makes insensitive remarks about gays, minorities, and the French, millions outraged." Although based on what he has said in the past I also do think 'fruitcake' seems pretty mild, especially since some gays refer to themselves with much more colorful words. That doesn't justify Rocker making a hateful statement, but things ought to be put into perspective. Who wants to bet that Keith Olbermann calls for his immediate dismissal (ala Bowden)?
posted by insomnyuk at 10:01 AM on August 07, 2002
According to the article, Rocker's current ERA stands at...wait for it...6.66. Have some fun with that one.