Baseball Prospectus | Articles | The Week In Quotes: May 2-8
“I’ve taken a lot of crap from a lot of people. Probably more than anybody in the history of this sport. I know Hank [Aaron] and Jackie [Robinson] took a good deal of crap, but I guarantee it wasn’t for six years. I just keep thinking: How much am I supposed to take?”
— John Rocker
Boy, am I glad I don’t have to defend this cracker bastard anymore.
LOL. I hate being connected to this guy as a Braves fan.
Doesn’t Rocker realize his abuse is nothing compared to the racial abuse of Robinson and Aaron? Doesn’t he realize that he is basically the same as those who hurled racial slurs at Robinson and Aaron? Doesn’t he realize he deserves his abuse because of his own comments? What shallow, stupid, immature person. That long hair (I think I saw a picture of him with longer hair now) won’t hide your hideous past.
One difference: while Aaron and Robinson received venonous abuse, they both had large groups of vocieferous supporters. Never before and never since has any player been so beloved AND so reviled as Jackie Robinson.
But with Rocker, other than a small group of bigoted hate-mongers, people fell into three categories: those who held their noses supporting his right to be an idiot (either because of free speech concerns or simply because he was “one of ours”) while not supporting his comments, and those who reviled him. There really were no fans that loved him in the same vein as Robinson and Aaron.
In that sense, he is historically unique.
‘cracker’ bastard? Racism is racism. That phrase is as bad as what Rocker originally said.
As a white guy from Alabama, I think I’m allowed to use the word “cracker”.
Dan, is the “those who held their noses” group actually two categories? Otherwise, I’m having trouble counting to three.
Kyle, I rewrote that sentence about five times and still couldn’t clearly state my meaning.
1. Hate him;
2. Dislike what he said (who he is?), but he’s on the Braves, so lets tolerate him; or,
3. Dislike what he said (who he is?), but support his right to say it.
With Jack Roosevelt Robinson, fans — and society as a whole — fell into two broad categories that had very little to do with support for Brooklyn or, frankly, baseball itself: those who loved him and those who hated him.
When I read your tagline and saw that the link was to Baseball Prospectus, I assumed you were referring to Dayne Perry or Will Carroll, either of whom might be aptly described that way as well.
Does anyone believe that Rocker is actually a racist, as opposed to just being an insecure moron and a tired act? The sanctimony of the Rocker backlash bothered me far more than his insensitive comments. The urge to vilify him was unbearable, political correctness at its worst.
Uh oh….
No politics allowed.
I have to agree with Gregsons. It seems that we humans need someone to hate, and that goes for the PC-ers of the world as well. Hate the haters.
I couldn’t disagree with Gregsons or Nate more. You can cite political correctness as the source of backlash but that’s very simplistic. Political correctness more than anything symbolizes a social evolution out of generations of accepted racism. Most people are sick of racism and listening to racist people and that’s the main reason for Rocker’s reputation. “Political correctness” is just effort by government to influence the landscape of language and argument. If the government didn’t do this, people would still react to racist remarks. John Rocker never should have spouted off a bunch of racist garble in the media, that’s the issue. All public figures are held accountable for saying things that aren’t generally acceptable, regardless of “political correctness”. I would love to discuss the source of blaming “political correctness” for the inconveniences and effort required for racial equality in America, but that would truly get political.
I agree Raoul. Hate the Haters Nate? Indifference is what I have for Rocker. I wouldn’t waste an emotion on him.
I just want to say that my comment this time will not be one that helps ignite a firestorm 🙂
Why is Robert Byrd still in the Senate and a supposed “leader” of the Democrats?
NOOOOOoooooooo…….. The flames, the flames!!!!
Come on. Rocker is definitely an entertaining guy. You’ve got to love some of the out-there stuff he comes up with.
Why is Robert Byrd still in the Senate and a supposed “leader” of the Democrats?
“Cause he picked up the option after Strom Thurmond’s deal with Satan expired?
My “hate the haters” comment was directed at PC bashers who hate on people who hate. Also was a reference to the “Haters” sketches on Chapelle’s Show. It probably was better left unsaid. All apologies.
I don’t find Rocker the least bit entertaining. I think he’s a sad individual. I think his recent comments are ignorant and pitiful. I just don’t understand why it is such a big deal that he hates people. People have hated each other since day 1.
I also don’t understand why it is not OK for white people to be bigots or why it is OK to hate on white people. Take for example the movie “White Chicks”. Funny movie, I loved it. But could they have ever made a similar movie called Black Chicks? Newyorican Chicks? Fat Chicks? Jewish Chicks? Hell no, it will never happen.
I just don’t like the double standards. Hate and racism IS accepted today and is perpetrated by the very people who love to cry “foul,” and that my friends is very sad.
I also don’t understand why it is not OK for white people to be bigots or why it is OK to hate on white people…..Hate and racism IS accepted today and is perpetrated by the very people who love to cry “foul,” and that my friends is very sad.
I guess we’ll just have to settle for making more money and running the world and stuff. I REALLY wanted to be aa accepted bigot though – this being a white male crap sucks.
“Cause he picked up the option after Strom Thurmond’s deal with Satan expired?
Yawn.
I guess spike is feeling like he’s an awfully good person today.
I’m closing comments on this post now. You want to complain, complain, but if you can’t follow the no politics rule, tough.