Father of ex-Atlanta pitcher John Rocker dies in wreck

<p>Jake Rocker, the father of former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker, was killed in a traffic accident Tuesday morning, police said.</p><p>Rocker, 63, of Macon was struck by a dump truck in oncoming traffic as he made a left turn on the Ga. 247 Connector about 7:30 a.m., Warner Robins police Maj. John Wagner said.</p><p>The truck driver, identified as Angelo Raffield Jr., 40, was not hurt and no citations were issued, Wagner said.</p><p>Rocker's son, a left-hander, had 38 saves for Atlanta in 1999, but his career took a dive after controversial comments he made in an interview with Sports Illustrated, including a remark about riding the New York subway "next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids."</p><p>He had 24 saves for Atlanta in 2000 but was traded to Cleveland during the 2001 season, when he had for 23 saves for the Braves and Indians. He spent 2002 with Texas and 2003 with Tampa Bay, totaling just one major league save. He had a 9.15 ERA in 17 games for Double-A Orlando when the Devil Rays released him in June 2003.</p>