Pick your reason as to why John (Off His) Rocker got a standing ovation last week when he made his Atlanta Braves debut and why in his early-season appearances he has been accorded the status of a returning war hero. (Well, he hasn't been to New York yet.) Some fans undoubtedly thought that Off His had suffered enough. Others were staging a predictable protest against the media, which, in their view, had blown the story out of proportion (true) and unfairly persecuted the goggle-eyed stopper (not true). Some probably disagreed with what Off His had to say in that now infamous Sports Illustrated article, but felt he had a right to say it and wanted to stand up to demonstrate their belief in the First Amendment. And there were certainly those who agree that the United States has too many female Asian drivers and look upon Off His as some kind of southpaw seer, spouting truths with which our nation's leaders are too timid to concur.

John Rocker is: An idiot My hero View Results

The major reason that Off His is now cheered so enthusiastically, though, is this: He is famous for being famous and what happened to make him famous in the first place simply doesn't matter anymore. In our Springeresque society, Off His has the essential requirement for becoming famous: he has no shame. After his cancerous words made headlines from coast to coast and he seemed on his way to becoming a leper, his initial apology was scripted and ungenuine. Then, sensing a mini-turning of the tide, Off His grew bolder and his some-of-my-best-friends-are-black rationalizing to ESPN's Peter Gammons was at once pandering and arrogant. Now, having discerned that he has become a genuine dolt hero, Off His has put that cocksure smirk back on his face, regained that redneck, frat-boy insouciance. He has spent much of the last few weeks pointing out to the media how popular he has become, how fans want to shake his hand and slap him on the back, not realizing that everyone would want to do the same to, say, the stripper-mom who revealed on "Jerry" that she is also sleeping with her son's Little League coach.

Look, the fact that his stupidity was not a valid reason for suspending Off His, and the fact that we in the media overplayed the story, does not make Off His a hero. He is at root an immature trifle of a man, ignorant and small-minded, one who does not deserve respect, much less fervent applause. But I expect he will continue to get it anyway.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum will contribute a Hot Button issue (or two) every Monday on CNNSI.com.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.

 

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