CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

John Rocker To Pitch At Carolina

Published on May 18, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


From one-time star closer of the Atlanta Braves to vilified vagabond to now, a soft-spoken minor league pitcher attempting to reupholster his name and baseball career, left-hander John Rocker will join the Orlando Rays as they begin their four-game series in Zebulon against the first-place Carolina Mudcats tonight at 7:15 PM.

In 1998, Rocker saved 38 regular-season games and two in the N.L.C..S. for the Braves. Later that off-season in a Sports Illustrated article, Rocker drew the ire of America by making offensive comments about homosexuals, foreigners and New Yorkers. Following a baseball and national uproar, Rocker was fined $5,000 by the Braves and sent to AAA Richmond to work on his command.

However, after a few altercations upon his return to the major leagues, Rocker was eventually traded to the Cleveland Indians where he went 3-7 with four saves in 38 games.

While battling a shoulder injury, Rocker spent the 2002 season with the Texas Rangers, pitching in 30 games. He compiled a 2-3 record with one save, but an ERA of 6.66, but was released after the season. This past April, Rocker signed a minor-league deal with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and was initially assigned to Orlando.

Rocker, 28, made four appearances in the Southern League, including a pair against Carolina last week before a call-up to the major leagues with Tampa Bay. However, after two appearances with the Devil Rays, Rocker was sent back to Orlando.

All four games with the Rays are scheduled for 7:15 PM ET, with the gates opening at 6:15 PM.

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Carolina League Stories from May 18, 2003


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