John Rocker Traded to Cleveland

N E W   Y O R K, June 22, 2001 -- Controversial Atlanta Braves reliever JohnRocker was traded to the Cleveland Indians today, TheAssociated Press learned.

The deal was to be announced later tonight after theIndians' game at Kansas City, said a baseball source familiar withthe trade, who spoke on the condition he not be identified.

Cleveland did not know if it would need to use a player involvedin the deal during tonight's game, and wanted the announcement heldoff until the conclusion, the source said.

Loudmouth from the South

Rocker started a national furor after the 1999 season when hedenigrated New Yorkers, immigrants, homosexuals and others in aninterview with Sports Illustrated.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig suspended him for all 45 days ofspring training last year and the first 28 days of the regularseason and fined him $20,000, but the players' association filed agrievance and arbitrator Shyam Das cut the suspension to 14 daysand the fine to $500.

Rocker was 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA this season, converting 19 savesin 23 chances for the Braves. He had 36 strikeouts in 32 innings.

Still a Talent on the Field

Since making his debut in 1998, Rocker has been one of the bestclosers in the National League. He has 83 saves and a 2.63 ERA in210 career games with Atlanta.

Despite his success on the field, Rocker was never popular withhis teammates. Outfielder Brian Jordan called Rocker a "cancer"last season.

The Indians' bullpen has been overworked this season because theclub's starters haven't been doing their job. Cleveland's startershave failed to get past the fifth inning 30 times and have just onecomplete game in 69 games.

Cleveland's bullpen has been called on for 238 innings, thesecond most in the AL and its .667 (16-8) winning percentage alsois No. 2.

In the first two games of Cleveland's series against Minnesotathis week, Manuel was forced to use 13 relievers — an absurd numberin October, nevermind in June.