John Rocker Traded to Cleveland

N E W   Y O R K, June 22 -- It's official. Trash-talking Atlanta Braves reliever John Rocker has been traded to the Cleveland Indians today.

The deal was announced after the Indians' game at Kansas City.

Braves manager Bobby Cox broke the news to Rocker tonight at New York's Shea Stadium during their game against the New York Mets— reportedly as early as the first inning. Cox said Rocker took the news well, and he was "pleasant and thankful" for his time spent in Atlanta.

"I think it's good for both clubs," Cox said. "It gives us a little more depth."

"It was finalized in about the first inning," Cox continued. "I came up to talk to John and tell him that he was going to be traded, and that he was traded and I couldn't tell him who, and gave him a chance if he wanted to avoid the press, like he always does."

In return for Rocker, the Braves will receive setup men Steve Karsay and Steve Reed. The Indians did not want to disclose the names of the players involved in the deal before the game, in case the team needed to use one of them in the game.

Loudmouth from the South

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In 1999, Rocker started a national furor after criticizing New Yorkers, immigrants, homosexuals, and others during an interview with Sports Illustrated.

Following that interview baseball commissioner Bud Selig suspended him for the full 45 days of spring training last year and the first 28 days of the regularseason, and also slapped him with a fine of $20,000.

The players' association filed a grievance and his punishment was cut down to 14 days suspension, and a $500 fine.

Still a Talent on the Field

Certainly, Rocker has not been considered the most popular player on the team. Outfielder Brian Jordan called Rocker a "cancer" last season, and his appearances in New York have been met with extra security to control often angry fans.

However, he's still considered an effective closer. This season, he was 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA, converting 19 saves in 23 chances for the Braves. He had 36 strikeouts in 32 innings. Since his debut in 1998, Rocker has been one of the best closers in the National League. He has 83 saves and a 2.63 ERA in210 career games with Atlanta.