Former Braves closer has verbal run-in with minor league fan

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - John Rocker, attempting a comeback with the minor league Long Island Ducks, had a testy exchange with a fan Tuesday as he walked off the field after another disappointing performance.<br> <br> The 30-year-old lefty, a former closer for the Atlanta Braves, gave up two runs, two hits and two walks in one-third of an inning on the mound in Long Island&#39;s 2-1 loss to the Atlantic City Surf in the second game of a doubleheader.<br> <br> As Rocker left the field, Dave Macken of Atlantic City, a Surf fan sitting near the visitors dugout, yelled, ``It&#39;s a long way from Atlanta.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Rocker replied, ``I&#39;m still a millionaire&#39;&#39; and followed with profanity, Macken told The Press of Atlantic City. Macken said the two then exchanged profanities.<br> <br> Rocker recalled the exchange differently. ``Call me what you want, but don&#39;t start cussing at me like that,&#39;&#39; he was quoted as telling the paper. ``That&#39;s just wrong.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Rocker, who dropped to 0-2, entered with a 1-0 lead in the fifth and loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. He walked a batter with the bases loaded, forcing in the tying run, and gave up a go-ahead sacrifice fly.<br> <br> The former Atlanta reliever gained infamy for remarks he made in a 1999 interview with Sports Illustrated in which he bashed gays, minorities and foreigners.<br> <br> Rocker last pitched in the major leagues for Tampa Bay in 2003. He had surgery for a torn rotator cuff in July of that year and did not pitch last season.<br> <br> The Ducks play in the independent Atlantic League.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/5/135387