Recently, professional sports suffered yet another publicity black eye. The event surrounds the controversial statements of Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker. In essence, Mr. Rocker said that he hated New York City because of all the foreigners there. He want on to disparage a number of ethnic groups specifically. Immediately he was castigated in the press and ostracized by his teammates. And everyone was wondering what Major League Baseball was going to do to Rocker for those statements. Baseball has made its decision, and it may be worse than the comments themselves.
First, let's take a look at Mr. Rocker's comments. They are the words of an ignorant, short sighted man. It comes as no surprise that this kind of bigotry exists, even in the sports profession. It doesn't make it any less frightening or disturbing to accept that this opinion is still held in modern society. What is more frightening is the level of sheer stupidity possessed by this man to publicly air these views to the press, and be surprised when the crap hits the fan! Having said that, I think Baseball's decision is even more horrifying.
Major league baseball has decided that Mr. Rocker must undergo psychiatric evaluation. And based on the results of those observation, baseball will decide what to do next. This procedure is flawed on many many levels, and in no way addresses the problem of bigotry in the league. First, Rocker's comments have put him in an extremely bad situation with his teammates, many of whom are members of the ethnic groups slighted in the statement. To think that this man will be able to function well on any team is a pipe dream, even after therapy sessions with a psychiatrist. He has set his foot on the path he is now walking, and I dare say that his fellow Atlanta Braves will handle the situation the same whether he has therapy or not.
Second, baseball is simply keeping the situation in the limelight and hence exasperating an already volatile situation. What baseball should have done was issue a statement saying how horrified and embarrassed they were by the comments. If they felt that a fine was in order, then they should have imposed it immediately and moved on. By lengthening the whole procedure, they have given the opportunity for various groups to take sides and debate this incident in the press. Some may say this needs to be discussed but I disagree. A psychologist is not going to cure John Rocker of ignorance and bigotry. I think that rationalizing such opinion with medical diagnoses gives the opportunity to justify racism and that would be a mistake.
Next, does anyone out there truly believe that Rocker will not be pitching for some team next year? He has too much talent to be dismissed. Baseball is a business first, and some owner somewhere will see that Rocker's talent could make him some money. Besides, I don't know if you can legally dismiss someone for being a bigot. Rocker is not responsible for hiring or firing anyone. He is just a worker bee entitled to his opinion... even if that opinion is offensive.
Finally, Major League Baseball is just showing how hypocritical they are. This last point is actually directed at professional athletics in general. It offends me that so much attention is being put on this incident. It offends me that the public is angrier about these statements then they are about the other things these athletes do. Does anybody remember Steve Howe? Five times he broke baseball's drug use policy. That means he was also breaking the law. What about Darryl Strawberry? How many chances does this chronic felon deserve? How many times over the last few years have we heard about professional athletes being involved with drugs, assaults, wife beatings tax evasion and even murder? Why is it that as a profession, and as a society, we are willing to give felons a second chance? John Rocker hurt no one with his comments.
Baseball, by sending this man for medical observation, and considering fines and suspension are equating the expression of opinion with a felony crime. The message they are sending their fans is that they will stand behind felons, drug abusers and wife beaters. But, if you say something that is not politically correct, you will be analyzed for mental defects. Hey, in the NBA you can even choke your boss and still get a 17 million dollar paycheck.