Topic: Did we overreact to Rocker's comments?

[Proud Virgin]

For a story published in the January 2000 issue of Sports Illustrated, Rocker made a number of comments stemming from his experiences in New York City, and answered a question about whether he would ever play for the New York Yankees or the New York Mets. Rocker's response was accused of being racist, homophobic, and sexist:




I'd retire first. It's the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing... The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?

Maybe it's cause I've seen worse on the net but looking at these comments now were they really that bad?

[BlackLight]

Depends on what your initial reaction was. I thought Rocker was an asshole then, and I pretty much still do.

[tdub]

god that is such an awesome fucking quote. he was the original kenny powers. and i think his wife is black! baseball needs more assholes who dont give a fuck.

[The_Spoiler]

Rocker was Tea Party before there was a Tea Party.

[Webweaver]

Was Rocker killed after making those comments? If not, then no...the reaction was ok.

[A Very Smug Bear]

Holy shit dude, who the fuck cares about John Rocker?

[Proud Virgin]

Holy shit dude, who the fuck cares about John Rocker?

The three people ahead of you!

[Proud Virgin]

god that is such an awesome fucking quote. he was the original kenny powers. and i think his wife is black! baseball needs more assholes who dont give a fuck.

I swear Powers in modeled after him.