Teammate at center of `fat monkey' comment hopes for apology from Rocker

Wednesday, February 23rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- Randall Simon wondered if he could ever be teammates again with John Rocker after allegedly being called a "fat monkey." Some people suggested Simon take a punch at the outspoken reliever.

Eventually, Simon decided one word would make things right. "I want him to say he's sorry," the first baseman said Tuesday after arriving at the Atlanta Braves spring training complex. "I'm willing to forgive him if he comes to me and apologizes for what he said."

Rocker wasn't on hand to offer an apology. He is suspended until May 1 for his disparaging comments against gays, foreigners and minorities, though arbitrator Shyam Das could reduce the penalty. Das is scheduled to meet later this week with players' association chief Donald Fehr and management lawyer Rob Manfred. It's unclear if Das will issue a decision at the meeting or try to work out a settlement. Either way, a decision is expected no later than next week.

The whole situation has brought unwanted attention to Simon, who doesn't even know if he will make the team. "I hope he regrets what he did," Simon said. "It's not only what he said about me, but what he said about his teammates, the Latin community and all other nations."

There had been bad blood between the two since a Sept. 5 game against Arizona, when Rocker struck out what should have been the final batter. The ball got away from catcher Eddie Perez, his throw to first was a little high and Simon couldn't make the play.

After the Diamondbacks rallied for a 7-5 victory, Rocker angrily blamed Simon. "That shouldn't be said by a teammate," Simon said. "I didn't say anything to him when he blew a four-run lead (in a June 29 game at Montreal). That's part of the game."

Back home in his Caribbean homeland, there was outrage when Rocker's comments were published by Sports Illustrated. Even though Simon wasn't named in the article, he was sure he was the target. "Everybody in Curacao was mad about it," he said. "Some people called me to say I should hit him. Other people told me, `Don't worry about it. Just go about your business."'

After talking with his mother and new wife, Simon decided to put the issue behind him as much as possible. He even manages a coysmile when revealing that he lost 10 pounds during the off season. But Simon scoffed at Rocker's claim that the "fat monkey "comment was only a joke, something he had said before to the chunky first baseman in the privacy of the clubhouse. "It wasn't a joke," said Simon, who is black. "You can joke about some things, but not that."
He said it's important for Rocker to make peace with his teammates as soon as possible. The players' association tried to arrange an off season conference call involving Rocker and Simon, but it didn't work out. "Of course, everybody wants to forgive him for what he's done," said Simon, who is counting on Rocker to take the first step. "It's going to be a little tough, but I think we can put it behind us if he shows he's sorry for what he's done."

Another teammate, National League MVP Chipper Jones, said he's confident that Simon has the temperament to get past Rocker's insult. "A time will come when he and John will meet face to face," Jones said. "When that happens, I'm 110 per cent sure it will get done in a very professional manner. They'll walk out of there with a handshake."

At the St. Louis Cardinals' camp in Jupiter, Mark McGwire said Tuesday that Rocker's comments are "something he's going to have to deal with the rest of his life." "He has a lot of talent, but he messed up and said some things he shouldn't have said," McGwire said. "He might have been better off not to appeal the suspension, just apologized, sat out his time and gotten on with his life."

Rocker and the players' association are hoping the arbitrator will overturn or reduce the suspension. If that happens, the reliever who had 38 saves a year ago would be able to take part in at least part of spring training.

Simon feels the punishment is fair. "He's got to realize that he never should have said those things and it should never happen again," he said. "His attitude has got to change."

In the meantime, Simon has more pressing concerns. Although he hit .317 in part-time duty for the Braves, he was left off the postseason roster and seems likely to be a victim of the numbers game this season. The Braves have four first basemen in camp, including Andres Galarraga, who missed last season while undergoing treatment for cancer, and Wally Joyner, who was acquired from San Diego as insurance.

Simon, 24, wants to be an everyday player after hitting just .063 (2-for-19) as a pinch-hitter. Realizing that his days in Atlanta may be numbered, he'll have his agent talk with general manager John Schuerholz about possible options. "I know what I'm capable of doing," Simon said. "Maybe it will be with the Braves, maybe it will be with somebody else."