AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRemembering Jake Rocker
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just read about the death of Jake Rocker, John Rocker’s father, who died in a car accident this morning in Warner Robins. I’m wondering when the shocks are going to stop this week. I’m saddened by the news and my heart goes out to John Rocker and his family.
I feel compelled to write a little about this because I knew Jake fairly well, especially well for a parent of an athlete I covered. I first got to know him when I was writing for the Macon Telegraph covering high schools in the early ’90s. It was John’s last two years as the flame-throwing stud at First Presbyterian Day School, back in the days when he used to call me ‘ma’am.’
I used to see his dad all the time at baseball games, basketball games, football games, whatever games. He was a very involved parent. And John is an only child. I’m sure this is a very, very hard day for him.
As John came up through the minors, his family opened their home to other Braves minor leaguers. It was neat to see. Andruw Jones and former shortstop prospect Glenn Williams of Australia lived with the Rockers for the summer in 1995. I used to see Jake all the time at Luther Williams Field, supporting Macon Braves players even when John wasn’t pitching.
The whole Sports Illustrated mess took a toll on both John’s parents. Jake took it hard, but he took it standing up. He tried to defend his son publicly and sometimes it backfired. He ruffled his share of feathers. But I was personally indebted to him for his decision to notify me of meetings John had lined up one day with Hank Aaron and Andrew Young, in an attempt to begin to make peace and to rebuild John’s image.
I had been staying in Macon for a few days, hoping to get John to speak publicly on the subject. Jake called me back one morning. He didn’t tell me where we were going. I was to meet him at his office. I rode in his car with him to Atlanta where we met John and made our way to Young’s house. I spent the day getting unbelievable access to a story that wound up winning a national award. For that, I’m indebted to Jake.
I didn’t always make him happy with what I wrote, but I think if the two of us saw each other now, we’d be up for a good chat about the old days. I’m sorry I won’t get that chance.
Note: Funeral services for Jake Rocker will be at 11 a.m Friday at Ingleside Baptist Church on Wimbish Road in Macon.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By MBATL
April 17, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
Great stuff, Carroll. Thanks. And condolences to the Rocker family.
By Jeremiah
April 17, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Despite what some may say about John Rocker and who he is as a person, it is regardless a sad, sad, day for him and my heart goes out to him and his family. Nobody deserves to have their father taken from them in such a terrble, sudden, fashion. A sad day for the Rockers, and for those associated to the Braves who knew what kind of person Jake Rocker was.
By Kala
April 17, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
This is such a tragedy. My heart and prayers go out to his family and my boyfriends aunt patrica! Altough i only had the chance of knowing Jake a short while he made me feel welcome when i was around. I wish i would have had more time to get to know such a great man whom everybody seemed to love. Jake, you will be truely missed! Kala, Wayne & Stacey
By Brandon Powell
April 17, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Carroll, Thanks for the kinds comments about Mr. Rocker. I grew up with John and had the privlege of being coach in little league by Jake. He was intense but loved John and was always very involved in with all of us. The Rocker’s had a full court basketball court in their back yard and Jake spent many a night cutting up with us as well played pick-up games. I heard the news in Dallas and my heart sank. Mr. Rocker will be missed.
By John
April 17, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Good article.
By Alan
April 17, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
My sympathy goes to the Rocker family. It sounds like Mr. Rocker was a nice man. The SI article and its ugly aftermath had to be very rough on John’s parents. It obviously was rough on John, too. And his career.
By Mike
April 17, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Let’s hope that Mr. Rocker isn’t going to be buried next to Queer’s with AIDS or New Yorkers…He raised a bigot. No sympathy for the man at all.
By TheTruthHurts
April 17, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Only the AJC with its liberal bias would bring up what was said over 10 years ago in a article how John Rocker’s Dad died….No wonder the AJC subscriptions are declining…No one wants to read a trash rag like this one
By fuzzytop
April 17, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Mike your comments don’t make you any better than John Rocker! Takes one to know one!
By What a jerk.
April 17, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
How could you be so cold hearted in a time of moruning. If nothing else be sympthic to the rest of the family. Jake would have never said the such. He cant help what his son says.
By Jonny
April 17, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
To those that hold no sympathy or empathy, but rather disdain and disgust, for the Rocker family at this time for perceived or real racism, shame on you. Too many amongst us, myself included, have pointed our finger at others to make ourselves feel better about our own personal foibles. How many amongst us can truly say we lack any and all prejudice against any particular group? How many amongst us can make an honest statement that, “I do not have a single ounce of prejudice in my body”? I argue that, like John Rocker, none of us can make that statement honestly. None of us. The rest of us are simply lucky enough not to be under the media spotlight to expose us for our foibles. That said, show a little compassion to the Rocker family. I don’t think the man deserved to die that way. Even if he did, who are you or I to make that God-like judgement?
By Bubba The Redneck
April 17, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Bubba the redneck would like to comment on the article by carrol rogers. Bubba finds it very informative about the character of ms rogers in reading the article. ms rogers was happy to use the late jake rocker as an avenue to advance her career while trying to destroy the career of john rocker. the media along with ms rogers and her fellow penthouse liberals coulndnt wait to tear down john rocker so they could advance their own left wing political agenda. ms rogers took advantage of jake rogers love and affection for his only child to advance her and the liberal cause. ms rogers is a hypocrite. destroy john rocker both as a human and as a professional athlete so she could soothe her own liberal concscience. john rocker and the rest of the rocker family does not need ms rogers sympathies because they are strong both physically and spiritually.
the liberals in the media should feel proud of theirselves for destroying a once promising career in order to float and add nourishment to a left wing political agenda on the back of a then major league ball player. i hope jake rocker held you leeches in low regard. but being a godfaring man i doubt it.
By Courtney
April 17, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Mike you are the biggest jackass. Have a heart John’s father just died. Mike may you never put your foot in your mouth
By cgg
April 17, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
It would be the ultimate in irony if the truck driver was asian.
By Gustopher
April 17, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Oustanding Blog CR. Truly heartfelt. My condolences to the Rocker family
By TheTruthHurts
April 17, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Mike is a typical dumb a* liberal loser who does not know any better…all he knows is how to spew out hatred to make himself feel that his sorry life actually means something. We should actually feel sorry for him…so sad.
By JJMB
April 17, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Carroll, you obviously are a person of integrity. It’s a pleasure to see some people still have it.
By someone
April 17, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Mike, your kind never fails to disgust me. Mr. Rocker had no control over what his son said in an interview, and he certainly had no part in his son’s beliefs. You can raise a child as well as you can, but you cannot teach them what to believe. If John Rocker developed stereotypes, then so be it. Get over it. His father, on the other hand, did not make any comments like those of his son that we know of, and he does not deserve to be denounced, especially since he has been taken from us. My condolences go out to the Rocker family, and may God help them through this difficult time in their lives.
By keylargo25
April 17, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Mike, your dad raised a moraless loser. What should we call him? In addition to Andrew, the Rockers opened their home to numerous other black and latin players.
By someone
April 17, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
TheTruthHurts:
Just because someone made a cold-hearted comment does not mean that they are a liberal. I’ve known quite a few conservatives who have a tendency to make such comments themselves. Ease up on the stereotypes.
By Kala
April 17, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Reguardless of what the article says there is a family out there who is in great mourning. And i know this because some of those mourning are my boyfriends family. They have now delt with not 1 but 2 tragedies in the last week and a half, and the last thing they would want to see is this tragic event turned into a liberal or political thing. Come on people have a heart and just have sympthy for the rest of the family & loved ones. .
By Kala
April 17, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Reguardless of what the article says there is still a family out that that is mourning and suffering from such a great loss!! And some of those people happen to be family to my boyfriend. The last thing they would want to see is such a tragic event turned into a Liberal or political topic! Have a heart and be a little sympthic to the family and get over what happened nearly 10 years ago.
By Joe
April 17, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Mike, your Dad raised an a— hole. What should we think of him?
By JM
April 17, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to pass along my thoughts and prayers to the Rocker family during this time. No matter what you think of his son, I choose to remember the great memories he gave us as Braves fans in the late ‘90’s before he made some unfortunate mistakes. I’m grateful to John Rocker for that, and I really feel for him and his family during this time.
RIP, Jake Rocker.
By Mimi
April 17, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
seems to me the part about john rocker’s SI interview could have been left out of the article about his father. why drag that up when he dies?
By jc
April 17, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
It’s 2007 - one would think that we - the American people would be further than we are now socially and not so divided - be politics, race (esp. race) sex and or sexual preference. Everyone blames everyone else there no individual responsibility what so ever and no sensitivity when it comes to each other…we are human beings for God sake - the root word is HUMANE - look it up!
“Characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for people”
We seem to have no compassion what so ever and to all be self absorbed and brainwashed and we have the nerve to be critical of other nations and cultures….
By WTF?
April 17, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
OMG it NEVER fails….Liberals, conservatives, blah, blah, blah, PLEESE make it STOP!!! Can’t someone have a simple OPINION without attaching mindless LABELS? No wonder the world is going bassackwards!! As far a John Rocker goes; I’m not a big fan but still, the man lost his father, can’t you people give it a REST and show SOME class?
By Bubba the redneck
April 17, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Bubba is back and he would like to comment. Bubba finds these bleeding heart libs as a bunch of hypocrites. these libs want to dump on john rocker and his father. the liberals think they are so sophistcated and morally superior to the rest of us. they are in fact nothing but haters of freedom and of the usa. mr rocker and his son love this country and all the opportunities that it possesses. the libs have always hated the usa. they are probably dancing in the streets like the rest of them ragheads over the deaths of those innocent 32 american killed yesterday by one of them foreigners who should not be in this country. john rocker was right in every thing he said in that sports illustrated article in 99. john rocker is a genuine hero. he was the first victim to fall due to political correctness. imus was the second. bubba wants to know who will be next. bubba would also like to say that you people who are commenting on carrol rogers comments about the late rmr rocker are fools. she used mr rocker to advance herself and her leftwing political agenda along with that commie piece of rag she writes for. liberals are some of the most vile and hurtful people there are in the world. at least the rag head terroists are open about their hostility to the usa. the libearls who ms rogers is along with that homo mike are 5th columnists who want to destroy the united states from within. bubba finds it ironic that you liberals want the terroists to win because if they do you all will have to weear them rags on your heads and you will have to give up them abortions along with that high class champagne you sip on while eating pork dipped in your european grey poupon.
john rocker was and still is a great person crucified upon the liberal holy altar of political correctness.
By JB
April 17, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Mike, As it is written in the BIBLE you will one day pay for those cold words you wrote about Mr. Rocker. You should fall on your knees right now and REPENT!!!!!
By Hokie
April 17, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Mike, it’s your type that’s too blame for what happened at VT yesterday.
By Julie
April 17, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Jake was one of the most wonderful people I have ever known. A kind hearted and loving person that never looked down on anyone. I was so upset to hear the tragic news. He will be missed by so many. RIP Jake… we love you.
By jerry
April 17, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
Did not John Rocker state BEFORE 9/11 “it looks like you’re riding through Beirut”. I can imagine that the terrorists got one hell of a laugh as they planned their foul deed and the man who painted their picture was ostracised by America.
By Ken
April 17, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
I always thought that Rocker’s comments were intended to stir up a huge rivalry against the Mets.I never really thought he meant any real hate,I think he was trying to create an intimidating presence and put a little fire in a traditionally stoic team.But the media spun way out of preportion,and he couldn,t handle the mess he made for himself.I kinda felt sorry for the guy then and I sure as hell do now.
By Bubba the redneck
April 17, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
john rocker was and still is a patriotic american. john rocker and the rocker family do not need the sympathies of the likes of ms carroll rogers and that commie rag the ajc. they did all they could to tear down rocker and his family just for a story that would sell papers and soothe their left wing lib bias against real americans like john rocker. the ajc and the libs are probably happy that 32 innocent americans real american were slaughtered yesterday so they can advance their commie political agenda of taking our arms. i am p** off about the slaughter yeasterday because at uga you see more of them foreigners from india, pakistan, china and south korea then you do blacks from their own states. i blame this on the libs who want open borders and the downfall of the usa. rocker spoke out against the foreign influence and god bless him
By Davie Crockett
April 17, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
Who wants a Whataburger?
By Warren
April 17, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Whats sad is this blog should have been about remembering a father.Instead the writer had to make mention of a comment made by a young ball player that just lost his father .You could have left the Brave’s history lesson out of the column.
By Warren
April 17, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
Mike Morris you should be fired
By drsoul
April 17, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Just overlook the sibling rivalry folks…Bubba and Mike are twin brothers…
By bill
April 17, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
Sick, sick people…there I go putting a label on some of you. Sorry, but those of you who have chosen this time to reveal your true nature by denigrating Jake Rocker or, to the other extreme, for holding his son’s actions up for idolatry deserve not only the label but, hopefully, treatment for your disorder.