The NY Post’s Marc Berman reports that struggling Long Island Ducks reliever John Rocker has gone to unusual lengths to tune out verbal abuse. If only Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson had the advantages of modern technology.
John Rocker wore white plastic moldings in both ears but that did not prevent the embattled reliever from hearing loud boos aimed his way at normally placid Citibank Park in the leafy Long Island suburbs.
After another horrible one-inning outing, after blowing a 2-0 seventh-inning lead, the Long Island Ducks pitcher with shoulder-length hair also wore the goat horns in their 3-2, 12-inning loss to Camden.
Rocker was pelted with boos as he walked off the field after the inning. As he approached the dugout, Rocker ripped off his hat and doffed it angrily at the jeering throng.
Oh, it’s getting ugly in Central Islip. As the former Braves hurler made his way to the tunnel underneath the stands, he then snapped at a Post photographer, “So, you finally got my picture!” During the early innings, his Duck teammates ringed Rocker in the bullpen to prevent the photographer from taking his picture.
When Rocker made a turn around the bend, into a corridor, several loud banging sounds were heard. In his fourth straight putrid outing, Rocker came on with a 2-0 lead to start the seventh before allowing two hits, two walks and a wild pitch that tied the score and drew the night’s loudest jeers.
Wiser men once wrote:
Well I’m an axegrinder Piledriver
Mother says that I never never mind her
Got no brains I’m insane
Teacher says that I’m one big pain
I’m like a laser 6-streamin’ razor
I got a mouth like an alligator
I want it louder
More power
I’m gonna rock ya till it strikes the hour
Well I’m remonstrated
Outdated I really want to be over-rated
I’m a finder and I’m a keeper
I’m not a loser and I ain’t no weeper
I got the boys to make the noise
Won’t ever let up
Hope it annoys you
Join the pack
Fill the crack
Well now you’re here
There’s no way back
Bang your head! Metal Health’ll drive you mad
Bang your head! Metal Health’ll drive you mad
I’ve dropped any notion of the Phillies needing Rocker as Madson, Cormier and Fultz have settled down in the pen. However, I’d be all for a manager who knows how to execute elementary gametime strategy.