GaryMrMets
12-18-2001, 01:42 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20011218/ap-rockertraded.html
Sources: Indians trade John Rocker to Texas
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
December 18, 2001
CLEVELAND (AP) -- John Rocker, who never fit in after being traded to Cleveland last season, was dealt by the Indians to Texas on Tuesday for a minor league pitcher, baseball sources familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
Rocker, whose remarks on racial, ethnic and sexual minorities in a magazine article led to his suspension for two weeks in 2000, will be reunited in Texas with new Rangers general manager John Hart.
The sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the deal could be announced Tuesday afternoon.
Rocker will also now be a teammate with volatile outfielder Carl Everett, who went to Texas in a trade earlier this month from Boston.
As Cleveland's GM, Hart acquired Rocker from the Atlanta Braves last June for pitchers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed.
But the deal backfired on Hart, who thought adding the left-handed Rocker might finally get the Indians their first World Series title since 1948.
Rocker pitched poorly in Cleveland, going just 3-7 with four saves and a 5.45 ERA in 38 games. He was handed the closer's job upon arrival, but ended up giving it back to Bob Wickman.
Rocker, 27, was never really accepted by his Indians teammates, either. And after saying he was thankful for a fresh start with the Cleveland media, he rarely granted interviews.
Rocker became a distraction in the clubhouse during the AL playoffs. First, he threw water on fans taunting him during Game 1 in Seattle and compounded problems by clashing with Wickman over some remarks he made.
When the Indians signed Wickman to a three-year contract last month, it became clear that Rocker was no longer part of their future.
Indians GM Mark Shapiro tried to work out a deal last week at the winter meetings in Boston and reportedly talked with Texas, Los Angeles and the Chicago Cubs about Rocker.
But in the end, he had to turn to Hart, his former boss, to get rid of Rocker.
If the Indians hadn't been able to trade Rocker, they would have had to offer him a new contract by Thursday or he would have become a free agent.
There were no immediate details on the player the Indians were getting in the deal.
Rocker was fined and suspended for two weeks at the start of the 2000 season after making disparaging remarks about gays, minorities and others in a Sports Illustrated interview.
Rocker, who was leading the NL in saves when he was traded by Atlanta on June 22, is in Puerto Rico pitching winter ball with the Bayamon Cowboys. He's working on a new pitch but last week said he wouldn't be surprised if he never gets to use it for the Indians.
Sources: Indians trade John Rocker to Texas
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
December 18, 2001
CLEVELAND (AP) -- John Rocker, who never fit in after being traded to Cleveland last season, was dealt by the Indians to Texas on Tuesday for a minor league pitcher, baseball sources familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
Rocker, whose remarks on racial, ethnic and sexual minorities in a magazine article led to his suspension for two weeks in 2000, will be reunited in Texas with new Rangers general manager John Hart.
The sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the deal could be announced Tuesday afternoon.
Rocker will also now be a teammate with volatile outfielder Carl Everett, who went to Texas in a trade earlier this month from Boston.
As Cleveland's GM, Hart acquired Rocker from the Atlanta Braves last June for pitchers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed.
But the deal backfired on Hart, who thought adding the left-handed Rocker might finally get the Indians their first World Series title since 1948.
Rocker pitched poorly in Cleveland, going just 3-7 with four saves and a 5.45 ERA in 38 games. He was handed the closer's job upon arrival, but ended up giving it back to Bob Wickman.
Rocker, 27, was never really accepted by his Indians teammates, either. And after saying he was thankful for a fresh start with the Cleveland media, he rarely granted interviews.
Rocker became a distraction in the clubhouse during the AL playoffs. First, he threw water on fans taunting him during Game 1 in Seattle and compounded problems by clashing with Wickman over some remarks he made.
When the Indians signed Wickman to a three-year contract last month, it became clear that Rocker was no longer part of their future.
Indians GM Mark Shapiro tried to work out a deal last week at the winter meetings in Boston and reportedly talked with Texas, Los Angeles and the Chicago Cubs about Rocker.
But in the end, he had to turn to Hart, his former boss, to get rid of Rocker.
If the Indians hadn't been able to trade Rocker, they would have had to offer him a new contract by Thursday or he would have become a free agent.
There were no immediate details on the player the Indians were getting in the deal.
Rocker was fined and suspended for two weeks at the start of the 2000 season after making disparaging remarks about gays, minorities and others in a Sports Illustrated interview.
Rocker, who was leading the NL in saves when he was traded by Atlanta on June 22, is in Puerto Rico pitching winter ball with the Bayamon Cowboys. He's working on a new pitch but last week said he wouldn't be surprised if he never gets to use it for the Indians.