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'It's disappointing' Braves face Rocker questions at spring training complex
Posted: Monday January 10, 2000 12:05 PM
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP)-- The Atlanta Braves came Sunday to sign autographs. Instead, they wound up answering questions about John Rocker. Outfielder Andruw Jones, shortstop Walt Weiss and manager Bobby Cox were among those taking part in the promotion at the Braves' spring training site, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. "It's disappointing," Jones said of Rocker's remarks. "But I lived with Rocker for one year and he always was kind of crazy, but not to say stuff like that. I don't know if it came from his heart, or it came from his head or just stupidness." Rocker told Sports Illustrated he would never play for a New York team because he didn't want to ride a train "next to some queer with AIDS." He also said, "I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. ... How the hell did they get in this country?" He called a black teammate a "fat monkey," mocked the driving skills of Asian women and insulted single mothers. Rocker apologized for the remarks published last month and said he was not a racist. On Friday, he began psychological tests ordered by major league baseball. The reliever reportedly left Baltimore after one day of tests to start a hunting trip, and it was uncertain whether doctors would recommend additional testing. Cox said he will wait until baseball finishes its investigation before making any statement. "I don't really want to comment on anything until I actually talk to John person-to-person and see what the league is going to bring out on this," Cox said. Weiss said he doesn't expect the controversy to bother the team. "When we all get together here at spring training, I think everyone will be focused on baseball," Weiss said. "Everything kind of takes care of itself once you show up here and get into your daily routine."
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