The Diamond, Sec ?
John Rocker was on a rehab assignment, his first appearance after Sports Illustrated published off the record comments by the flamethrower in one of the first violations of press/athletes confidentiality in our time.
The comments were blown out of context as New York City was part of the ribbing. The media tried their damnedest to railroad Rocker for his politically incorrect comments made off the record.
The stadium was sold out. Local media was in a frenzy. Atlanta sent Rocker down to rehab him before calling him up to the parent club. Plus there was a few hour rain delay. Yet, no one left the stadium, even knowing that if Rocker pitched, it wouldn't be til the 9th, well after midnight.
I noticed CNN cameras interviewing patrons about Rockers perceived inflammatory comments. The reporter girl was leading the person being interviewed to badmouth Rocker. The person being interviewed politely declined to take the bait and said she was excited to see Rocker pitch. I thought it was funny how a novice fan bitch slapped the big city CNN babe. So I followed the CNN crew while they attempted to get the money quote from a fan, any fan. And 100% of them shot her down.
Everyone was there to see a hard throwing major league closer pitch, period. Unheard of in CNN's eye.
Finally the CNN babe huffed up the equipment and marched on out of the stadium without leading one single fan into saying what she wanted them to say.
So CNN sends an entire crew from Atlanta to Richmond to cover a news story. And they left before the news developed. The next day there was zero mention on CNN of Rocker's comeback.
Talk about sensational journalism.
Rocker did appear late in the evening/early morning to a still packed stadium and a standing ovation.
