Rocker released by Devil Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays released pitcher John Rocker Friday. <br> <br> Rocker was pitching for AA Orlando, where he was 0-1 with a 9.15 ERA in 17 games. He allowed 23 runs -- 20 earned -- 23 hits and 26 walks over 19 and two-thirds innings. <br> <br> The left-hander, who was signed to a minor league contract April 10, appeared in two games earlier this season for the Devil Rays, giving up one run, two hits and three walks in one inning. <br> <br> In 1999, Rocker&#39;s first full major league season, he had 38 saves as the Atlanta Braves went to the World Series. After that season, he made disparaging remarks about homosexuals, minorities and others in a Sports Illustrated article. His career went into a tailspin after he was traded to Cleveland in June 2001.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/6/176895