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Friday, June 23 | |||||
Sporting goods store takes out ad urging calm | |||||
NEW YORK -- Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is trying to convince John Rocker not to take the subway to Shea Stadium -- and face fans
he insulted -- when the Atlanta Braves play the New York Mets next
week.
"We spoke to major league baseball," Giuliani said Thursday.
"I spoke to the commissioner. We spoke to some other people, and
hopefully we'll be able to help persuade Mr. Rocker not to use the
7 line, not to go out of his way to exacerbate the situation."
Giuliani said that anyone seeking to harm Rocker -- on the subway
or at the ballpark -- would face severe consequences.
"They have every right to be upset with Rocker's comments,"
Giuliani said. "They have no right to do anything that harms him
or puts other people in jeopardy, like throwing things or engaging
in anything that amounts to criminal conduct. If they do, here's
notice in advance: You will be arrested and you will be treated in
a very, very serious way. You will be treated like a criminal
because you are a criminal."
Rocker raised the ire of many New Yorkers when he defamed
immigrants, gays and others -- specifically those that ride the No.
7 train -- in a Sports Illustrated interview last winter.
Earlier this week, Rocker told USA Today Baseball Weekly that he
planned to ride the No. 7 train next week and entertain questions
from straphangers.
"I'm taking it to Shea Stadium," Rocker vowed. "I won't be in
a cab. I won't be on the bus. I'll be on that train."
Giuliani promised there would be "significant security" at
Shea for the series between the Mets and the Braves that starts
June 29, including 500 police officers, up from the normal detail
of about 60.
Calls to major league baseball and the Atlanta Braves were not
immediately returned Thursday. Rocker did not speak with reporters
after the Braves beat the Cubs on Thursday in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Modell's Sporting Goods announced Thursday that it
had purchased a full page advertisement in the New York Daily News
calling on New Yorkers to "show compassion to a troubled soul."
The ad asks anyone meeting Rocker on a No. 7 subway train to offer
him their sympathy and support.
"Due to Mr. Rocker's ignorant view of New York City, the eyes
of the world will be observing the city's initial reception to our
angry 'prodigal son,'" the ad states. "In the spirit of what
makes New York great, we ask all New Yorkers to refrain from
hostile actions and open their hearts to John."
| ALSO SEE No . 7 riders say Rocker should proceed cautiously Rocker says he'll take No. 7 when Braves visit N.Y. Cutting into his control? Thumb abrasion bothering Rocker |