I hope Rocker stays

**tomyo18** · December 18th, 2001, 01:21 PM

I think Rocker would have a great year in Cleveland if he's still here. I know the baggage, etc. But remember when he came here last year. It was right before the trade deadline and the Indians were fighting to make the playoffs. Rocker was leading the NL in the Rolaids Fireman Stats and was immediately anointed Closer/Savior.

That put a riff in the team right away. That was not his fault. Then he pitches poorly for a few games and loses it.

Picture this: Rocker starting the season as a set-up guy. He knows his role right away. I believe he would excel at this scenario. Then if the Indians are either out of it, or someone overwhelms them with a trade, then they could move him.

I think it would be a mistake to unload him for practically nothing at this point. I understand the "New Morality" on the Tribe, but let him start fresh from the beginning of the year. If he causes trouble again, get rid of him. You gotta believe that someday he'll grow up and be a good pitcher again.

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**The Crank** · December 18th, 2001, 01:25 PM

odds are when Wickman was signed to his contract it was with the idea that everything that could be done to get rid of Rocker would be done - those two players will not exist on the same team, and it has nothing to do with Rocker being named closer over Wickman....

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**tomyo18** · December 18th, 2001, 01:31 PM

OK- granted that was probably talked about with Wickman.

But, Wickman seems like the kind of guy who goes with the flow. He's a pro. He was upset at Rocker for dragging up an old incident, and said he wouldn't re-sign here. But he did. I don't believe that getting rid of Rocker was a condition of his signing.

I think the two could co-exist in the same pen.

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**The Crank** · December 18th, 2001, 01:34 PM

I don't understand why people have forgotten about the most important thing. Remember when Rocker opened up his mouth in Seattle about Wickman's gay bashing lawsuit? What was the response from the rest of his Indian teammates - with the exception of maybe one player, he got shunned for the rest of that series.

Tell me again how Rocker and Wick are going to coexist? I would like to see it happen. Just not gonna bet house money on it.

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**Wilhelm** · December 18th, 2001, 01:40 PM

Rocker is red herring. We can't win in this situation. He will never pitch well for us and as soon as we trade him, he'll go right back to being dominant.

My money says he shut us down for years to come.

It sucks. He was one of the best in the league when we got him and he fell to pieces once he was here. We were screwed.

What did we lose in the long run? Nada. Reed and Karsay were gone anyway. It's a shame Rocker didn't pan out.

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**The Crank** · December 18th, 2001, 01:45 PM

Kaiser - thank god someone else realizes that Rocker was a gamble on Hart's part, and like most gambles it was either going to succeed wildly or fail miserably.

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