Braves' Rocker Rips Media

April 21, 2000 / 1:57 AM EDT / CBS/AP

After picking up his first save since serving a two-week suspension, John Rocker once again refused to talk with reporters in the Atlanta Braves clubhouse.

He blasted the media, however, during an interview with Fox Sports Net on his way off the field Thursday night, accusing reporters of going too far in their zeal to report on his insensitive comments about immigrants, gays and minorities.

"There's been a lot of instances over the last three or four months when the media has been completely oblivious of my privacy and my family's privacy," Rocker told Fox Sports Net. "They've overstepped their bounds in a lot of areas. It's time for a little payback."

Rocker returned from his suspension Tuesday night and pitched a scoreless inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. Afterwards, he reacted angrily when he arrived at his locker to find it surrounded by reporters and cameramen.

"Beat it, media," he said. "I'm not talking."

Rocker didn't pitch Wednesday but was standing at his locker when reporters entered the clubhouse.

"Anyone want an interview? Nope? Missed your chance," he said facetiously, hurrying off to the showers.

Rocker was asked to explain his actions by Fox Sports Net.

"They're not going to be able to treat me the way they've treated me and get me to jump at their every whim and do every little interview they want me to do," he said. "There were news trucks sitting outside my house at 1 in the morning on Christmas Eve. I don't think I deserve that kind of treatment."

Rocker has received standing ovations in both games he pitched at Turner Field.

"The fans here in Atlanta have been terrific. I can't ask for anything more from the fans of Atlanta," he said. "My teammates have been wonderful. They know me really well."

Rocker said the controversy over his statements in a December issue of Sports Illustrated "will end when the media decides it's going to end it. Until something else comes up that gives you guys something to talk about, you'll keep beating a dead horse."

The 25-year-old left-hander saved 38 games for the NL champions a year ago, one short of the franchise record. His value to the team was demonstrated during his absence, when the bullpen went 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA and two blown saves.

Rocker has pitched two scoreless innings since coming back, striking out the final two Philadelphia hitters Thursday night to earn his first save since the 1999 NL championship series.

"I just hope to repeat the things I did last year," Rocker said. "The name of the game is consistency. A lot of guys have one big year and they're a flash in the pan. The league catches up with thm and they don't make adjustments. They fizzle out. I'm hoping to be consistent. I want to put up 35 or 40 saves like I did last year and give this team a chance to win.

"If we get to the playoffs and I perform like that, I'll be satisfied."