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Q&A with SI's Jeff Pearlman Author of Rocker story: Let his teammates handle it
Posted: Thursday January 06, 2000 07:15 PM In the December 27 issue of Sports Illustrated, staff writer Jeff Pearlman profiled Atlanta Braves closer John Rocker. Following baseball's announcement that Rocker must undergo psychological testing, CNNSI.com spoke with Pearlman about the controversy the story created, baseball's reaction to it and Rocker's future. CNNSI.com: Do you agree with baseball's decision to order John Rocker to undergo psychological testing? Jeff Pearlman: No. To be honest, I think it's kind of silly. I don't think baseball should punish him at all. It sounds kind of corny, but this is a country where you're entitled to have your opinion. I think the ultimate punishment for John is that he's going to spring training and he's going to have to be in a room with his teammates. Big corporations feel like they have to take a stand. I don't think Rocker's crazy. I think he has some opinions that not everyone would agree with. But he should be allowed to express them, just as anyone should. CNNSI.com: Did you have any idea the story would attract this much attention? Pearlman: The reaction is kind of overwhelming. I've been saying this over and over, and I hope it doesn't sound condescending: I feel bad for his family and for John. Nobody wants the kind of attention he's getting now. Sometimes, it's your responsibility as a journalist, when a subject you're reporting on says things like this, to bring them to light. But I didn't expect this at all. I've never experienced anything like it, and I'm sure Rocker hasn't either. CNNSI.com: What do you think Rocker was thinking when you talked to him? Pearlman: I think sometimes maybe when, as a reporter, you deal with a subject for long period of time like I did with John, there's a tendency to let your guard down a little bit and think you're talking to your barber, or your mailman or one of your buddies. You kind of forget that the person you're talking to is taking notes and is there to do a story on you. People have asked me if I thought Rocker was showing off or trying to impress with his comments. I really don't think so. I think he was just talking. CNNSI.com: Do you expect to see Rocker pitching in a Braves uniform in 2000? Pearlman: No question about it. The thing that's really bothering me the most about all this is that, in this country, it is John Rocker's right -- and your right and my right -- to have an opinion. No matter what it is, you have a right to say it. I really kind of feel bad for the guy. His ultimate punishment will be facing those guys, those teammates he offended, in the clubhouse. I don't think he should be released, kicked out of baseball, suspended, whatever. Now, John Rocker is a great pitcher. He's got a 95-mph fastball and great sinker. But he's 25 years old. You definitely learn from adversity -- they use that saying a lot in baseball -- and this is adversity for John Rocker. When you have situations like this, as a journalist, you expect the subject to deny he said it, or say the quotes were taken out of context. John hasn't denied any of what he said. I consider that actually pretty admirable on his part.
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