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Morning News

Hundreds of Police on Duty as John Rocker Returns to New York for Braves-Mets Series

Aired June 29, 2000 - 9:09 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In New York City, they're rolling out the blue uniforms for Atlanta's controversial relief pitcher, John Rocker. Rocker returned to New York late last night. It's his first time back since making derogatory comments about a variety of subway riders. Hundreds of police on duty for the game tonight to guard against violence at the series opener between the Braves and Mets.

And CNN's Jeff Flock has made his way to New York. He joins us live outside of a diner underneath what I believe is the Number 7 train. And our viewers may remember that's the train that Rocker said he would maybe take a ride on this weekend.

Hey, Jeff. Good morning to you.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're all ready to roll out the red carpet for him, Bill, should he choose to board here at this stop on the Number 7 line.

Yes, we are on the streets this morning of the real New York. Forget Manhattan, this is Queens. The neighborhood is Woodside. And as you can see behind me, these elevated train tracks carry what they call the Flushing line. You know it better as the Number 7 train. That's what John Rocker called it as he talked to, or talked about the people that ride it.

We thought it appropriate this morning before tonight's game to talk to some people who intend to go to the game this weekend, the four-game set, see what is on their minds. Of course, the police are going to be out in force at Shea Stadium, and in fear, perhaps, that something bad might happen.

Do you have any fears about that, sir? And you're going to tomorrow night's game, correct?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I am. And, no, I don't have any fears. I think it's all hype from the press.

(LAUGHTER)

FLOCK: Feel free to lay it on me. Are we making too much of this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think so. I think they took enough protection just in case, because you never know.

FLOCK: Were you at all offended by what he had to say?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not really. I think it was just ignorant in what he said.

FLOCK: You don't agree with him?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, but, you know, most of it is true, though. This is as different as he said it is, in New York.

FLOCK: There is great ethnic diversity here...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No doubt about it.

FLOCK: ... but you don't see any harm in that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not at all.

FLOCK: Met fan?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Without a doubt.

FLOCK: OK, well, not a John Rocker fan, then, I take it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not at all.

FLOCK: But maybe more so for baseball reasons than reasons of ethnicity or comments, perhaps.

At any rate, that's some of what people are thinking and saying here on the streets of New York this morning as they prepare for John Rocker's return to the city. He's back in town and will be at Shea Stadium tonight. Of course, we'll be there too.

That's the latest from Queens. I'm Jeff Flock, CNN, reporting live from New York.

HEMMER: All right, Jeff, thank you. Get yourself some eggs while you're there.

Also, coming up in a few minutes time, we'll talk with the New York City police commissioner, Howard Safir, about security plans during Rocker's four-day stay there in New York.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

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