GaryMrMets
07-06-2005, 04:31 PM
Rogers apologizes for shoving cameramen
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
.c The Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers apologized on Wednesday for last week's tirade against two TV cameramen that left one of them in the hospital and prompted a police investigation, but said he has not decided if he will play in next week's All-Star game.
Rogers, who is appealing his 20-game suspension for the outburst, apologized to fans and the cameramen in his first public comments since the June 29 incident. He declined to take questions, and said he was speaking against the advice of his lawyer.
``I feel compelled to come before you and express my deep regret for my actions,'' Rogers said. ``The incident should have never occurred.''
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rogers and fined him $50,000, but the players' association appealed the penalty, allowing Rogers to keep playing until after a hearing and a decision. On Sunday, Rogers was selected as an All-Star for the third time.
Rogers lashed out at the cameramen as they filmed him walking to the field for pregame stretching. The episode was captured on videotape and led to KDFW cameraman Larry Rodriguez being treated at a hospital. A day earlier, he ordered cameras turned off around him in the clubhouse.
Rodriguez filed an assault report, and Arlington police spokeswoman Christy Gilfour said Wednesday that the case was still under investigation.
``I should have acted professionally, and I regret that was not the case,'' Rogers said. ``I am deeply disappointed. ... This incident was completely out of character, and I think you know it will never happen again.''
The suspension was among the most severe imposed by the commissioner's office for on-field conduct in decades. Only the 30-day penalty given Cincinnati manager Pete Rose in 1988 for pushing umpire Dave Pallone was longer.
07/06/05 14:55 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
.c The Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers apologized on Wednesday for last week's tirade against two TV cameramen that left one of them in the hospital and prompted a police investigation, but said he has not decided if he will play in next week's All-Star game.
Rogers, who is appealing his 20-game suspension for the outburst, apologized to fans and the cameramen in his first public comments since the June 29 incident. He declined to take questions, and said he was speaking against the advice of his lawyer.
``I feel compelled to come before you and express my deep regret for my actions,'' Rogers said. ``The incident should have never occurred.''
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rogers and fined him $50,000, but the players' association appealed the penalty, allowing Rogers to keep playing until after a hearing and a decision. On Sunday, Rogers was selected as an All-Star for the third time.
Rogers lashed out at the cameramen as they filmed him walking to the field for pregame stretching. The episode was captured on videotape and led to KDFW cameraman Larry Rodriguez being treated at a hospital. A day earlier, he ordered cameras turned off around him in the clubhouse.
Rodriguez filed an assault report, and Arlington police spokeswoman Christy Gilfour said Wednesday that the case was still under investigation.
``I should have acted professionally, and I regret that was not the case,'' Rogers said. ``I am deeply disappointed. ... This incident was completely out of character, and I think you know it will never happen again.''
The suspension was among the most severe imposed by the commissioner's office for on-field conduct in decades. Only the 30-day penalty given Cincinnati manager Pete Rose in 1988 for pushing umpire Dave Pallone was longer.
07/06/05 14:55 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.