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'He's an idiot' Mets not surprised by Rocker's demotion
Posted: Monday June 05, 2000 07:48 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mets reliever Turk Wendell does not expect to see John Rocker showing up in an Atlanta uniform at Shea Stadium anytime soon. "If I had to bet, I'd bet he wouldn't here when the Braves come to town," Wendell said before Monday night's game against Baltimore. "They don't need that kind of distraction." "He's an idiot," he said. "Let him grow up and mature a little bit, on and off the field." Rocker was demoted to Triple-A Richmond and fined $5,000 by the Braves on Monday. The moves came a day after his angry confrontation with the Sports Illustrated reporter who wrote the story in which the Atlanta pitcher made disparaging remarks about minorities, gays and immigrants living in New York. The Braves are scheduled to make their first trip to New York this season on June 29 to start a four-game series at Shea. Rocker's visit was shaping up as a volatile event. "We'll be prepared -- security-wise -- whether he's here or not," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. Phillips, who earlier this season released Rickey Henderson -- a persistent problem to Mets management -- saw the Braves' logic. "I can understand why Atlanta did it," he said. "Clearly, he's been struggling pitching as well as the other obvious trouble he's been having." John Franco was among several Mets who declined comment on Rocker. Wendell went fishing in the morning with fellow pitcher Rick Reed and, aware of Rocker's latest outburst, said he predicted the Braves would take action. "I knew that was going to happen as soon as I heard what he did," said Wendell, who began his pro career in the Braves' system. "I told Reeder it would. "The Braves are a first-class organization, a classy organization. He hasn't handled himself in a first-class manner in any way, shape or form," he said. "Before, he could get away with it because he was pitching well. Now, he can't."
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