Keith7
07-06-2005, 04:30 PM
ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers apologized Wednesday for his altercation with two television cameramen last week. But the lefty ace said he has not yet decided if he will participate in next Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Rogers, who is appealing a 20-game suspension, read a two-page, hand-written statement in front of local media, his first interaction with reporters since the altercation on June 29. He was visibly emotional and paused several times while reading.
"I have been around this game for over 20 years and I prepare myself everyday to control my emotions and act accordingly," Rogers said. "In this instance, I failed miserably."
Last week before a game against the Angels, Rogers first shoved Fox Sports Net Southwest's David Mammel, who was shooting video of the pitcher on his way to a pregame stretch, and told him, "I told you to get those cameras out of my face." The pitcher then approached Larry Rodriguez of Channel 4 KDFW and took the camera from Rodriguez before throwing it to the ground and kicking it.
Rodriguez was taken out of the stadium on a stretcher and taken to a hospital. The Arlington Police Department is investigating the incident.
Commissioner Bud Selig issued Rogers a 20-day suspension and an undisclosed fine -- reported to be $50,000. Rogers remains eligible to play in the All-Star Game.
"I have 17 years in the Major Leagues, with all my experience, regardless of the circumstances, I should have acted professionally and I regret that that was not the case," Rogers said. "I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed with myself for my inability to rise above the situation no matter how it became."
Rogers, who said he was issuing the statement against the advice of his legal counsel, vowed that such an incident would never be repeated.
"This incident was completely out of character and I think without question, you know it will never happen again," Rogers said. "I have already personally apologized to my teammates and I hope in the future that there will be a chance for me to personally do that to Larry and David."
Rogers declined to answer questions about the incident but when asked, he said he had not made up his mind regarding the Midsummer Classic.
"I have made no decision on anything else," Rogers said. "This is the issue that I wanted to address and nothing else. I don't want to confuse anything."
Rogers has pitched since the incident and will likely do so again. He threw 7 2/3 innings in a 2-1 loss to the Mariners on Sunday and was named to the American League All-Star team pitching staff later in the day, as a result of voting by Major League players, coaches and managers.
He is on track to start Saturday for the Rangers against the Blue Jays. His suspension, which will come after the All-Star Game, could be part of the reason the club is considering starting him immediately after the All-Star break in the opener of a four-game series at Oakland on July 14.
Rogers, who is a free agent after the season, has declined speaking with the press since there was a published report during Spring Training alleging he threatened to retire if he wasn't given a contract extension.
But Rogers has faced increased media scrutiny since he fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand on June 17, when he hit a dugout water cooler after being pulled from a game against the Washington Nationals. Rogers had allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings and earned the win. The 40-year-old made his next scheduled start against the Angels, but lasted only 3 1/3 innings and allowed six earned runs to take the loss. He missed a scheduled start.
Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Rogers, who is appealing a 20-game suspension, read a two-page, hand-written statement in front of local media, his first interaction with reporters since the altercation on June 29. He was visibly emotional and paused several times while reading.
"I have been around this game for over 20 years and I prepare myself everyday to control my emotions and act accordingly," Rogers said. "In this instance, I failed miserably."
Last week before a game against the Angels, Rogers first shoved Fox Sports Net Southwest's David Mammel, who was shooting video of the pitcher on his way to a pregame stretch, and told him, "I told you to get those cameras out of my face." The pitcher then approached Larry Rodriguez of Channel 4 KDFW and took the camera from Rodriguez before throwing it to the ground and kicking it.
Rodriguez was taken out of the stadium on a stretcher and taken to a hospital. The Arlington Police Department is investigating the incident.
Commissioner Bud Selig issued Rogers a 20-day suspension and an undisclosed fine -- reported to be $50,000. Rogers remains eligible to play in the All-Star Game.
"I have 17 years in the Major Leagues, with all my experience, regardless of the circumstances, I should have acted professionally and I regret that that was not the case," Rogers said. "I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed with myself for my inability to rise above the situation no matter how it became."
Rogers, who said he was issuing the statement against the advice of his legal counsel, vowed that such an incident would never be repeated.
"This incident was completely out of character and I think without question, you know it will never happen again," Rogers said. "I have already personally apologized to my teammates and I hope in the future that there will be a chance for me to personally do that to Larry and David."
Rogers declined to answer questions about the incident but when asked, he said he had not made up his mind regarding the Midsummer Classic.
"I have made no decision on anything else," Rogers said. "This is the issue that I wanted to address and nothing else. I don't want to confuse anything."
Rogers has pitched since the incident and will likely do so again. He threw 7 2/3 innings in a 2-1 loss to the Mariners on Sunday and was named to the American League All-Star team pitching staff later in the day, as a result of voting by Major League players, coaches and managers.
He is on track to start Saturday for the Rangers against the Blue Jays. His suspension, which will come after the All-Star Game, could be part of the reason the club is considering starting him immediately after the All-Star break in the opener of a four-game series at Oakland on July 14.
Rogers, who is a free agent after the season, has declined speaking with the press since there was a published report during Spring Training alleging he threatened to retire if he wasn't given a contract extension.
But Rogers has faced increased media scrutiny since he fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand on June 17, when he hit a dugout water cooler after being pulled from a game against the Washington Nationals. Rogers had allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings and earned the win. The 40-year-old made his next scheduled start against the Angels, but lasted only 3 1/3 innings and allowed six earned runs to take the loss. He missed a scheduled start.
Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.