Aug 6, 2002

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Rocker Condemns Bowden's Remarks

Rangers pitcher/fan favorite John Rocker condemned the controversial comments made last week by Cincinnati Reds GM Jim Bowden.  According to Rocker, Bowden exhibited “poor judgment” in his making comments comparing a potential baseball strike with the September 11 terrorist attacks.

“Mr. Bowden had the opportunity to anger and alienate millions of baseball fans with his ill-conceived comments,” said Rocker while lighting a corn-cob pipe.  “However, he wasted that opportunity by failing to mention any minorities, poke fun at stereotypes, or include profanity.  He really blew it.”

Bowden made the comments to reporters before Cincinnati's 6-4 win over the Dodgers on Aug. 1.  "If players want to strike, they ought to just pick Sept. 11, because that's what it's going to do to the game," said Bowden.  "I don't think there's going to be a work stoppage. … If they do walk out, make sure it's Sept. 11. Be symbolic.  Let Donald Fehr drive the plane right into the building, if that's what they want to do."

Bowden quickly issued a public apology for the comments. The following day, Commissioner Bud Selig’s office fined Bowden an undisclosed amount and issued a statement calling the comments “insensitive and inappropriate.”

Despite an initial wave of media outrage, the story appears to have been quickly dismissed by many baseball fans, much to Rocker’s dismay.

“I’m pretty disappointed with the way it worked out,” said Rocker.  “Jim Bowden has somewhat of a reputation for controversy, but he really didn’t show me much in this case.  I mean, where's the hate?  Where's the ignorance?  Where are the epithets?  No mention of queers, Chinamen, darkies, or cripples.  He didn’t even talk about the towel-heads responsible for the attacks.  How could he forget to do that?”


Rocker

Rocker then offered Bowden some advice.  “If he would like some pointers, he should learn from the master.  Look at me -- I make one offhand comment to some fruitcake in a restaurant, and it’s national news.  If I would have said the things Bowden said, the media and fans would have peeled off my skin and eaten me like a jumbo shrimp.

"Jim Bowden can run a baseball team, but when it comes to making a complete ass of himself, he's got a lot to learn," added Rocker.  "Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a court-ordered sensitivity training class to attend.”

Bowden was busy having his tongue surgically removed and was unavailable for comment.

 
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