Rocker/Everett Pairing (Merged Threads)

[Duque]

What is John Hart thinking?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20011218/ap-rockertraded.html

Sources: Indians trade John Rocker to Texas
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
December 18, 2001


CLEVELAND (AP) -- John Rocker, who never fit in after being traded to Cleveland last season, was dealt by the Indians to Texas on Tuesday for a minor league pitcher, baseball sources familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

Rocker, whose remarks on racial, ethnic and sexual minorities in a magazine article led to his suspension for two weeks in 2000, will be reunited in Texas with new Rangers general manager John Hart.

The sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the deal could be announced Tuesday afternoon.

Rocker will also now be a teammate with volatile outfielder Carl Everett, who went to Texas in a trade earlier this month from Boston.

As Cleveland's GM, Hart acquired Rocker from the Atlanta Braves last June for pitchers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed.

But the deal backfired on Hart, who thought adding the left-handed Rocker might finally get the Indians their first World Series title since 1948.

Rocker pitched poorly in Cleveland, going just 3-7 with four saves and a 5.45 ERA in 38 games. He was handed the closer's job upon arrival, but ended up giving it back to Bob Wickman.

Rocker, 27, was never really accepted by his Indians teammates, either. And after saying he was thankful for a fresh start with the Cleveland media, he rarely granted interviews.

Rocker became a distraction in the clubhouse during the AL playoffs. First, he threw water on fans taunting him during Game 1 in Seattle and compounded problems by clashing with Wickman over some remarks he made.

When the Indians signed Wickman to a three-year contract last month, it became clear that Rocker was no longer part of their future.

Indians GM Mark Shapiro tried to work out a deal last week at the winter meetings in Boston and reportedly talked with Texas, Los Angeles and the Chicago Cubs about Rocker.

But in the end, he had to turn to Hart, his former boss, to get rid of Rocker.

If the Indians hadn't been able to trade Rocker, they would have had to offer him a new contract by Thursday or he would have become a free agent.

There were no immediate details on the player the Indians were getting in the deal.

Rocker was fined and suspended for two weeks at the start of the 2000 season after making disparaging remarks about gays, minorities and others in a Sports Illustrated interview.

Rocker, who was leading the NL in saves when he was traded by Atlanta on June 22, is in Puerto Rico pitching winter ball with the Bayamon Cowboys. He's working on a new pitch but last week said he wouldn't be surprised if he never gets to use it for the Indians.

[Xanadu Dragon]

I really hope they (Rocker and Everret) locker next to each other.

If there's a god in the universe, it will happen.

They deserve each other.

[CubFan7125]

Jerry Nerron just has to be saying "Why Me Lord, Why Me".

[Yogi#8Fan]

Gee, I thought that since Staten Island's Fresh Kills diposal was closed, there wouldn't be a public dumping ground anymore. I can see it now. Hand me your tired, your ill of character, your poor of social mores, weak of professional conduct and I will take them.

Strange, after the A-Rod signing, I figured they'd need to get pitchers so I was expecting Park or someone else there. I guess logic wasn't in the game plan, was it?

At least Crazy Carl can have reason to call someone a racist now, since he's got a good ol' boy in the next locker. I'll steer clear of the clubhouse. BTW, Steve, if you ever consider getting a cavemen fighting w/clubs smiley..............

[sweaver]

Woo-hoo! Rocker and Everett together!

Let's get it on!

A-Rod can referee!

[willyg]

If this guy would have played his cards correctly he would be the starting shortstop for the New York Mets. Most likely he wouldn't have a $252,000,000 contract, but he would be the toast of the town, with more than enough money to go around. This guy would have been bigger than Piazza, bigger than Jeter, bigger than Giambi, A-Rod would be in his own league.

Instead he is on a terrible team, and to boot is has two of the biggest jerks in the game as teamates.

John Rocker and Carl Everett, can you imagine that? Unreal, simply unreal. How many stupid question is he going to have to answer this year because of those two fools? How much of a circus will follow Texas because of those two fools?

Alex has got to be shaking his head asking himself wtf did he do.

[ChrisCary]

This should be pretty fun to watch.

[Xanadu Dragon]

A-Rod should hum this tune as he reports to Spring Training this year:

Ebony and Ivory
Live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard
Oh Lord, why don't we ?

We all know that people are the same
wherever you go
There's good and bad in everyone
We learn to live, we learn to give each other
What we need to survive
Together alive

Ebony, Ivory, living in perfect harmony
Ebony, Ivory, ooh

We all know that people are the same
wherever you go
There's good and bad in everyone
We learn to live, we learn to give each other
What we need to survive
Together alive

Side by side on my piano keyboard
Oh Lord, why don't we ?

Ebony, Ivory, living in perfect harmony
Ebony, Ivory, living in perfect harmony
Ebony, Ivory, living in perfect harmony...

[Yogi#8Fan]

Like they say at Madison Square Garden,
Ding ding ding! Let's get ready to _RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!_I can see the ground start to shake. All we need now is Carl saying "Who you callin' _BOY_?"

[Yogi#8Fan]

A-Rod, Palmeiro encouraged by Rangers' moves (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/articles/20011223/370008.html)

December 23, 2001
ARLINGTON, Texas -- While the rest of the baseball world wonders whether John Rocker and Carl Everett can coexist on the Texas Rangers, the team's reigning leaders are happy to have them as teammates.

"I love giving people a second chance," shortstop Alex Rodriguez said. "Who knows, John might be the nicest guy in the world. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm excited to see him and greet him. The same goes for Carl. I think those guys are going to help us win."

[snip]

[timconnelly]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
A-Rod, Palmeiro encouraged by Rangers' moves (http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/articles/20011223/370008.html)

December 23, 2001
ARLINGTON, Texas -- While the rest of the baseball world wonders whether John Rocker and Carl Everett can coexist on the Texas Rangers, the team's reigning leaders are happy to have them as teammates.

"I love giving people a second chance," shortstop Alex Rodriguez said. "Who knows, John might be the nicest guy in the world. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm excited to see him and greet him. The same goes for Carl. I think those guys are going to help us win."

[snip]

Alex sounds like a hell of a man! Everybody that you talk to seems to believe that Rocker and Everett are static and have no ability to learn from their mistakes, develop greater wisdom, and move forward with both their lives and their careers. John Rocker has been through enough since his ignorant remarks that he can't possibly be the same person. If he can't grow, and if Everett isn't capable of making a fresh start, then we should never bother to forgive anybody. All we would be doing is wasting our time because one mistake would mean that you were forever condemned to repeat the mistake or maintain your ignorance for the rest of your life. I hope nobody here really believe that!

[Xanadu Dragon]

Everett's got a L-O-N-G history - - if he were to have learned, it would have been a L-O-N-G time ago. No hope for him. Rocker, well, ask the Tribe - they were quick to let him go. I think A-Rod is just saying what he's supposed to say - - he knows, inside, that this is a bomb.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by willyg
If this guy would have played his cards correctly he would be the starting shortstop for the New York Mets. Most likely he wouldn't have a $252,000,000 contract, but he would be the toast of the town, with more than enough money to go around. This guy would have been bigger than Piazza, bigger than Jeter, bigger than Giambi, A-Rod would be in his own league.

Instead he is on a terrible team, and to boot is has two of the biggest jerks in the game as teamates.

John Rocker and Carl Everett, can you imagine that? Unreal, simply unreal. How many stupid question is he going to have to answer this year because of those two fools? How much of a circus will follow Texas because of those two fools?

Alex has got to be shaking his head asking himself wtf did he do. I won't doubt any of the above, but w/Chan Ho Park's signing, at least he gets a chance to perhaps win a few games.

Hopefully the two :dizzy: cases can try a fresh start. Either that or clear out of the clubhouse early.

[timconnelly]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
Everett's got a L-O-N-G history - - if he were to have learned, it would have been a L-O-N-G time ago. No hope for him. Rocker, well, ask the Tribe - they were quick to let him go. I think A-Rod is just saying what he's supposed to say - - he knows, inside, that this is a bomb.

It sounds to me like Everett has trouble controlling his brain chemicals. It may make him arrogant and cause uncontrollable outbursts. What is his long history? Has he killed anybody? I think that a man who is only 31 years old and who has managed to stay out of serious trouble with the law is certainly not hopeless.

If you look at all the times that human beings, by simply being placed in a more advantageous situation, rise to new levels of maturity and growth, you'd have to say that being open to these men is the right approach.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by timconnelly
It sounds to me like Everett has trouble controlling his brain chemicals. It may make him arrogant and cause uncontrollable outbursts. What is his long history?

I can only talk about NY (twice) and Boston - - 'tho I'm sure there were issues in FLA and Houston too.

Boston, well, we all know that. With the Mets, he had his kids taken away from him for a while because he beat them. As far as the Yankees, well, when Everett started to play well in Houston, and then came over to Boston, he had some comments - all negative about the Yankees - - - along the lines of how much it was going to please him to play them, because he felt they did him wrong by letting him go to the Marlins - - - - - and, the Yanks then disclosed that they were always high on his talent, and wished he had worried more about baseball than other things (I think the implication was a rapper's lifestyle - cars and girls) when he was in their system - - because, if he did, perhaps he never would have been a Marlin.

Let's face it, you don't play in 6 different organizations is 12 years for no reason whatsoever.

I've said it once, and I will say it again, if not for his ability to hit a baseball, Everett would be lucky to get a job in a carwash as a towel person. Most likely, he'd probably be in jail. I see no reason to have any hope for him - zip, zero, nada, zilch.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Steve, I hadn't realized Carl came from the Yankee farm system. Was this Columbus (AAA) (http://yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/minor_leagues/nyy_minor_leagues_index.jsp?GXHC_gx_session_id_=3b 2a7b293bbf4c89)? About how long did he spend there?

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
Steve, I hadn't realized Carl came from the Yankee farm system. Was this Columbus (AAA) (http://yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/minor_leagues/nyy_minor_leagues_index.jsp?GXHC_gx_session_id_=3b 2a7b293bbf4c89)? About how long did he spend there?

He never made it out of A-ball with the Yanks.

He was taken in the 1st round (10th overall) in 1990. Played rookie ball in 1990. Played A-ball in 1991 and 1992. Taken by the Marlins in the expansion draft in 1992. Traded to the Mets for Quilvio Veras in 1994. Traded to the Astros for John Hudek in 1997.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
He never made it out of A-ball with the Yanks.

He was taken in the 1st round (10th overall) in 1990. Played rookie ball in 1990. Played A-ball in 1991 and 1992. Taken by the Marlins in the expansion draft in 1992. Traded to the Mets for Quilvio Veras in 1994. Traded to the Astros for John Hudek in 1997. I appreciate the background info. Great research.

[timconnelly]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon



I've said it once, and I will say it again, if not for his ability to hit a baseball, Everett would be lucky to get a job in a carwash as a towel person. Most likely, he'd probably be in jail. I see no reason to have any hope for him - zip, zero, nada, zilch.

Stevie, my man: You've described a person suffering from a lack of discipline and a bad case of me, me, me. There is no way I'd ever try to justify child abuse but without specific details I'm not sure that necessarily makes him a monster. The definition of child abuse has changed radically in my lifetime. I'm also sure that a man with a bad disposition is much more likely to be seen as abusive than a more pleasant person.

It just seems to me that nothing you've described here makes this man hopeless. Of course, maybe if I knew him, I'd feel differently! :)

[SmedIndy]

If Carl Everett closes his eyes, and doesn't see strike three, does that mean it didn't exist?

Is that why he gets all bent out of shape.

My 12-day old gets fussy at times, but she has an excuse.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Just noticed the Rangers signed Irabu - - they now have the current headcase leaders for whites (Rocker), blacks (CE) and asians (HI). Now all they need to do is to trade for Carlos Perez.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
Just noticed the Rangers signed Irabu - - they now have the current headcase leaders for whites (Rocker), blacks (CE) and asians (HI). Now all they need to do is to trade for Carlos Perez. I remember as a Yank, he'd thrown a pitch at a guy then charged home plate. How often does a pitcher charge home? Either almost never or I'm showing my greenness. Anyway, the batter hit a HR on the next AB.

At Montreal, he was released since he was out drinking and got suspended indefinitely, I think. Put away the good liquor, I say. ;)

[hmrsf]

Does anyone ever wonder......
If John Rocker and Carl Everett have Terrets Syndrome?


And if they were team mates and roomed on the road....who would die first? I say we donate Crazy Carl to the Indians and find out ****cut and pasted from 10/18/01

Would this make me a bad spelling psychic? Now that is truely bizzare!

[Xanadu Dragon]

I once heard a theory that Rocker was on steroids - - it would make sense.

[LeGrandOrange]

I think he's on dope personally.
The worst part about Rocker is that I own him in a league, and I can't trade his ass...gah.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by LeGrandOrange
I think he's on dope personally.
The worst part about Rocker is that I own him in a league, and I can't trade his ass...gah. Roto? Send him to Texas but make sure he doesn't stop by the local NAACP or anything like that.

That he doesn't even have his arm to provide a raison d'etre for keeping him in the pen makes him highly expendible.

[CubFan7125]

Originally posted by LeGrandOrange
I think he's on dope personally.John Rocker's 1 hell of a lot of thinks. Angry, anti-social, homophobic & racist are a few of the more obvious one that pop to mind. I know I come off like i'm preaching when drugs come up, and I don't mean to, but I hate to see people labeled an abuser or have drug use used as a catch-all for every personal & mental problem a player has. Just from watching games & interviews, I have seen several prominent players who are using, but I don't think that Rocker is among them.

Just a note to newer members- I am a recovered addict & have worked with recovering addicts in the past. I have stated my opinions in several other threads about drug use in baseball & like in general. Thank you for allowing me to speak & now back to the baseball discussion.

Now as for having him on your Roto team - if your in an A.L. only league, what the he** made you take this guy.

[LeGrandOrange]

:topic:
I don't own him in Roto, thankfully. It's a Diamond Mind Baseball league.
Rocker worries the hell out of me. We start using the 2001 disk in April, and I have no role for him. It's real sad when Giovanni "Porsche" Carrara (to take something out of Chris Berman's playbook), someone I took a 2001 flyer on in August, is more highly thought of in the bullpen than Rocker. I have do something with Guardado, Garces :guapo:, Mecir, Charlton, and Cook as well.
(BTW, my team sucks. I have Bartolo Colon and Shane Reynolds, but Ryan Rupe and Darren Oliver are also in my rotation, and I may have to draft Reitsma or Chacon for #5.)
Anyway, we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
(BTW, I did not pick Rocker, he came with the team I picked up. Here's an idea of my team. I'm the Tampa Bay Devil Rays without youth. I play in a division with the two best teams in the league. Commissioner won't do anything about it. Not pleased, to say the least.)

[Xanadu Dragon]

Here's the logic on the 'roids - clipped from another source:

"In October of 1997, John Rocker was a skinny pitcher with a mediocre record in A-ball. He was hitting 90-91 MPH. His breaking stuff had some movement, but he wasn't overpowering, and given his skinny body it didn't look like he had much of a chance to develop.

Six months later, John Rocker was throwing 96 MPH in the major leagues. He looked like he'd gained 50 pounds, all of it muscle. His neck and shoulders were thicker, broader. Natural growth? Maturity? Weight training? Maybe.

Perhaps there's nothing to it? But steroid use does fit the facts: sudden, dramatic muscle and strength gain, combined with erratic, emotional, aggressive behavior. "

[Yogi#8Fan]

Steve, Rocker seemed to have a thick neck and I'm not sure the neck muscle gets bigger unless you work it specifically. NFL-ers need to work this since it always gets tested on the gridiron and boxers since they take head punches. Rocker had to do some kind of weight training, since he looked like he was toned.

From lifting weights in the past and reading Powerlifting USA magazine (http://www.giftofstrength.com/powerlifting_usa.htm), it was once explained that steroids would give a 5+% boost at most. Since competition was based on the highest of your 3-lift total (parallel squat, bench press, deadlift), if someone did 600-400-550, that totals 1,150 lbs. A 55-75 lb increase would make them the champ over 2nd or 3rd place, which is why there's also a drug-free division (http://www.adfpa.com/).

Was Rocker as wild in his manner as he is now? After he'd struck out Piazza in the 1999 NLCS at Shea, he'd taunted the crowd, saying "I just struck out your best batter" to a chorus of long and loud boos. At least he was highly effective then, and it seemed like his July trade to Cleveland wasn't just his persona or the infamous SI article.

[sweaver]

The main effect of steroids is they allow you to ignore pain and injuries (like a cortisone shot) and promote fluid retention/weight gain. They are not a magic muscle-building drug, you still have to lift the weights. They do, however, make it possible to gain muscle faster.

Rocker does seem like a good candidate for 'roid rage, doesn't he?

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by sweaver
The main effect of steroids is they allow you to ignore pain and injuries (like a cortisone shot) and promote fluid retention/weight gain. They are not a magic muscle-building drug, you still have to lift the weights. They do, however, make it possible to gain muscle faster.

Rocker does seem like a good candidate for 'roid rage, doesn't he? He could be, but I won't rule anything else out. I've heard people acting unstable being accused of being on Prozac. What you're saying seems likely but I can only say it seems to fit, not that this is actually the case.

BTW, does MLB test for steroids? I'm sure lots of NFL defensive guys would take this, since bing sandwiched by 500+ lbs of rushing man isn't exactly my idea of a day at the beach.

I also remember that wrestler Hulk Hogan admitted to taking steroids, since despite the pulled punches, they do twist their bodies out of shape out there on the mat.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by sweaver
Rocker does seem like a good candidate for 'roid rage, doesn't he?

Bitch tits will make a guy rage - - - that, and having your jewels crawl up back into your body - - - - both side effects of the roids.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
Bitch tits will make a guy rage - - - that, and having your jewels crawl up back into your body - - - - both side effects of the roids. Now I'm wondering if there's a "shriveled up like a piece of bacon" effect also. No phoney baloney (or salami). ;)

[5ToolPlayer]

I had wished for Rocker to be traded to the Mets last year. I had no idea there was a better solution. Which will blow up first?
The universe certainly has a sense of humor. This is going to be hugely fun to watch.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by 5ToolPlayer

The universe certainly has a sense of humor. This is going to be hugely fun to watch.

Agreed, I think you should see something by March 31 - - - perhaps a fight on photo day or something?

[hmrsf]

'Carl, meet John' ...
By Mark Talkington
Special to Page 2
We bet Carl Everett can't wait to share his views on the Mesozoic Era with John Rocker.

The Top 10 things overheard in the Texas Rangers' clubhouse in spring 2002:


10. "All I've heard about Texas is that it's a bunch of rednecks. I hate red ... Never mind. At least Jimy Williams ain't here."


We bet Carl Everett can't wait to share his views on the Mesozoic Era with John Rocker.
9. "I wonder if Strawberry's done with rehab?"

8. "I've asked Ryan to drive over and say a few words about teamwork."

7. "It's great to see you, Coach Belle."

6. "Hello, Lou? It's Alex. Uh ... is it too late to change my mind?"

5. "Where do I catch the subway?"

4. "We've decided to assign roommates based on time with the club ..."

3. "Kum-ba-ya, my Lord ... Kum-ba-ya."

2. "Hey, A-Rod rhymes with Gay-Rod. Get it?"

And the No. 1 thing overheard in the Texas Rangers locker room in spring 2002:

1. "Here's those pictures I've been keeping, Mr. Hart. We're even now."

[pathogan]

+I ignored this one for AWHILE, BECAUSE IT FITS INTO THE WHO CARES CATEGORY, FOR ME AT LEAST. ROCKER APPEARS TO BE A HOOPLE,JUST A NOT VERY BRIGHT FELLOW WHO TALKS OUT OF HIS BACKSIDE.EVERETT GENUINELY APPEARS TO BE DISTURBED[HIS CHILD ABUSE EPISODEWHILE WITH THE METS, BEATING HIS WIFE,ETC.] ANOTHER SAD CASE,TOLERATED BECAUSE HEPLAYS PRETTY GOOD BALL...ON TO HAPPIER THINGS

[Baudib]

Um...I don't know if you've been following the situation, but it is pretty clear to me that John Rocker hasn't learned one damn thing, hasn't at all become a better person, and instead is in danger of seeing a once-promising career flush down the toilet because he's a moron.

Rocker has shown no remorse whatsoever for anything he said...it really seems like he feels he did nothing offensive. Several times a year...in fact, it could be every night of his life...Rocker is involved in some sort of incident, with a reporter, or a fan, almost getting into a fight, etc.

[pathogan]

not debating rockers quality as a human being[have never met him, have no idea besides public perception.doesnt appear to be the kind of guy Id invite over to dinner, though] There is a quantum leap from being a jackass to beating your wife and kids, that it what I meant.