What is important is that Rocker has recently taken it a step further. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he sounded off more on why he hates NYC, his mouth bubbling over with disgusting epithets in which he insults almost every racial group known to man, all foreigners, not to mention a particularly cruel reference to homosexuals. While he was once regarded as just an interesting country-boy, he now proves himself to be nothing more than a bigot. Despite his claims that he is "not a racist", it is difficult to see how he is anything but.

While there is little funny about what Rocker has said, there is one thing I find amusing. Back during the playoffs, he accused New Yorkers of thinking everyone from the South is a stupid hayseed. While I never thought that, maybe I should, because he proves himself right. It's sad enough that Rocker should feel the way he does, but the fact that he has the arrogance to spout off to Sports Illustrated is just plain stupid. How dumb do you have to be?

A lot of speculation has been circulating in the media about what should be done with him. Many said the Braves should fire him. Others said Major League Baseball should sanction him. But even more recently, and more disturbingly, there has been a backlash amongst sports writers that nothing should be done. The reason, they say, is that the media is at fault because we pushed him and pushed him to say more and more because it made good copy. Others blame scouts who treat 14-year-olds as Gods who can get away with anything. Sure, both accusations are valid.

But what frightens me, is that at the end of the day the sports writers are missing the most important basic fact: John Rocker is a bigot. What should be done? He should be fired by the Braves. What about freedom of speech you say? This is NOT a freedom of speech issue.

Sports teams are families, a collections of individuals who are supposedly not merely there for their athletic ability, but for a collective support of a singular cause. Teams which work together are the most successful. If a player goes down, another needs to step up. If a player has a crisis of some sort, he must depend on the backing and support of his teammates. A team is exactly that, a collection of people working together and believing in each other.

Now, the Atlanta Braves have a sordid history when it comes to race relations. Hank Aaron endured untold racist acts when he was a Brave. More recently, their tomahawk chop has come under attack from Native American groups. Now a vital part of their team, their closer, has exposed to the world that he is a bigot. Sure the media pushed him. Sure Rocker is arrogant and stupid. But he is a bigot. And by keeping him, Atlanta would be saying, it's o.k. for a bigot to be part of our organization. No. Teams should keep players they believe in and who represent a common ideal. I believe the Atlanta Braves do not represent ignorance, bigotry, and homophobia. They should send us that message immediately by firing John Rocker. Nothing else matters. It is the Braves who should and must take action. Otherwise the entire concept of team sports is at risk, and who is to blame, freedom of speech, and the media have nothing to do with it.