Union files grievance over Rocker suspension

NEW YORK (AP) -- The players' association filed a grievance today to overturn John Rocker's suspension, a ban scheduled to last through May 1. "The discipline is without just cause," the union

Tuesday, February 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) -- The players' association filed a grievance today to overturn John Rocker's suspension, a ban scheduled to last through May 1. "The discipline is without just cause," the union said in a letter sent to the commissioner's office. The grievance said arbitrator Shyam Das "should rescind the discipline." It is unclear when a hearing will be scheduled.

Many suspensions by baseball commissioners have been overturned or shortened. "Major League Baseball takes seriously its role as an American institution and the important social responsibility that goes with it," commissioner Bud Selig said Monday in issuing the suspension and $20,000 fine. "We will not dodge our responsibility," said Selig, who also ordered the Atlanta Braves reliever to undergo sensitivity training for disparaging foreigners, homosexuals and minorities in a magazine interview. "Mr. Rocker should understand that his remarks offended practically every element of society and brought dishonor to himself, the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball. The terrible example set by Mr. Rocker is not what our great game is about and, in fact, is a profound breach of the social compact we hold in such high regard."

The penalty is believed to be the longest against a baseball player for an action not related to drug use since Lenny Randle of Texas got 30 days in March 1977 for punching his manager, Frank Lucchesi. "I do not believe it is appropriate that I should be harshly disciplined for my misguided speech unaccompanied by any conduct on my part," Rocker said in a statement released by his agents. "I have previously apologized for my unfortunate remarks and stand by my apology."

While the suspension covers 73 days starting with the opening of spring training, the season doesn't start until April 3, meaning Rocker would miss the first 28 days of the season. A suspension will not affect his salary, expected to be between $200,000 and $300,000. "It is literally unprecedented to impose a penalty on a player for pure speech, offensive though the speech may be," said Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 official. "That, coupled with the magnitude of the penalty, just as unprecedented, makes us optimistic about the outcome of the appeal."

Rocker, 25, will be allowed to go to extended spring training starting April 3 and pitch in the minor leagues during the first month of the season. If the suspension is not shortened, he would return for a May 1 game at Los Angeles. "It really is about what I anticipated happening," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said of the penalty. "It comes as kind of a shock," Braves pitcher Rudy Seanez said. "I just think that's pretty harsh."

Rocker's comments drew a strong response from Braves executive Hank Aaron and civil rights groups. Several Braves players said they expect Rocker to have a difficult time when he rejoins the team. "We believe that even after this process is complete, there are still two hurdles that remain," Braves president Stan Kasten said. "John still has to reconcile himself with his teammates. After that, he has to reconcile himself with the community. It's not automatic. But with the right effort and the right attitude, I think it's possible."

The pitcher, whose fine will go to groups that promote diversity, was ordered by Selig on Jan. 6 to undergo psychological tests, but the results of those tests have not been disclosed. Rocker said in a Sports Illustrated story published last month that he would never play for a New York team because he didn't want to ride a subway train "next to some queer with AIDS." He also said, "I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. ... How the hell did they get in this country?" He also called a black teammate a "fat monkey."

Braves owner Ted Turner has said Rocker deserves a second chance, and pointed out the reliever had apologized. "I don't think we ought to hold it against him forever," Turner said. "He didn't commit a crime." Rocker told ESPN last month that he had lost his cool and said things he didn't mean about New York fans because he wanted "to inflict some emotional pain in retaliation to the pain that had been inflicted on me."

Rocker said he was frustrated by Yankees fans who threw batteries at him during the World Series. He said Mets fans spit in his face and poured beer on him during the playoffs. "The bottom line with the Atlanta Braves, and any team in general, is you have to overcome adversity and problems," Braves pitcher John Smoltz said. "That's what makes a team stronger: facing a problem rather than just wishing it never happened."