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John Rocker gets big ovation vs. Tigers
by Gene Guidi
Knight-Ridder Newspapers
March 15, 2000
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla
standing ovation
That was the reception awaiting
John Rocker as the chastised reliever
sprinted in from the Atlanta Braves'
bullpen for his spring training debut
against the Tigers on Tuesday night.
The first batter he faced, Gregg
Jefferies, was surprised by the reac
tion of the crowd of 10,070, a record
for a Braves spring training game.
"I was shocked, very shocked,"
Jefferies said. "It looks like the fans
forgave him for what he said.
"He made a mistake, I hope he has
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learned from it."
Rocker, who offended gays,
women, ethnic minorities and team
mates among others in a December
Sports Illustrated interview, was a bit
wild in his first appearance. He fell
behind Jefferies, 3-0, before getting
him on a 3-1 pop to third base. The
next batter, Javier Cardona, grounded
to third on a 1-1 pitch before Robert
Fick took a called third strike on a 2-
2 curve to finish Atlanta's 4-0 victory.
"It looks like everyone has forgiven
him, doesn't it?" Fick said of the fan
reaction. "It had to be pretty special
to him to have the fans welcome him
back like they did.
"I wish him luck, he's a hell of a
pitcher."
2000 NCAA Division 1 Men's
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Albuquerquo.
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March 23 FA 25
Auburn Hills,
Michigan
March 23 & 25
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Indianapolis,
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April
NATIONAL CHAMPION
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Blood 113 rive
Wednesday, March 22
1 1
at the ne e d Cann mans
Afterward, Rocker spoke briefly to
an Atlanta reporter before ducking
into the training room for a 45-minute
workout. He sent word through the
Braves that he wouldn't speak with
the two dozen or so reporters who
gathered around his locker in the
clubhouse.
After his ballyhooed return two
weeks ago, Rocker hasn't attracted as
much attention.
The Braves hope to keep it that
way for the rest of spring training.
"If the media chooses to start it up
again, then it will," general manager
John Schuerholz said. "It's a guy
pitching for the first time this spring.
That's all it should be."
Rocker was suspended and fined
National
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Indiana
April 3
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Syracuse.
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April I
Austin,
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March 24 & 26
by commissioner Bud Selig; an ar
bitrator reduced the suspension from
the first 28 days of the season to 14
and cut his fine from $20,000 to
$5OO.
Selig said the arbitrator's ruling
"completely ignores the sensibilities
of those groups of people maligned
by Mr. Rocker."
Rumors that Rocker was headed to
Montreal for reliever Ugueth Urbina
have quieted while the Braves see
what effect, if any, his presence has
on clubhouse harmony.
"We're trying to get our team in
shape with as little controversy as
possible," manager Bobby Cox said.
"Everyone is willing to give people
a second chance, and this is his."
SOUTH
4:00 pai m •
Intramural Modified Softball
Entries: Deadline is Friday, March 24, at 4:00 p.m
Entry Fee: $2.00 will be charged to your student
account
11751M111
ivisions: Men's Women's and Coed
Tournament: Round robin. Top two teams will
advance to a single elimination championship bracket.
Time and Place: Matches will he played Monday thru Thurs
day beginning around 4:30 p.m.
Notes: League play will begin around Tuesday. March 28.
There is a MANDATORY captains n►ecting on Monday, March
27, at 5:30 p.m. in the Erie Hall classroom.
White Water Rafting
The Office of Intramural and Recreational Programs will be
sponsoring a white water rafting trip in Ohiopyle, PA.
When: The trip is Saturday, April 29. 'Transportation will be
provided. The trip will leave around 7:00 a.m. and will return
sometime in the evening.
sCennoticul
Ezrrin
Cost: $25.00 per person, which must he paid at the time of
registration. Lunch will be provided. Wetsuits will he available
for $lO.OO each and are required.
Registration: Deadline is Friday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. You
must register at the IM office and at the time of registration you
MUST have: Student ID, payment in full (non-refundable),
driver's license to verify you are 18. and you will be asked to
sign a waiver
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Walt
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Lake
iena Vista,
irida.
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