Rogers uses picture book to apologize for altercation.

07/06/2005 4:00 PM ET
By Brad Iten / MLB.com

ARLINGTON – Among a spread of milk and cookies, 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, showed a six-page, hand-drawn picture book 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 flipping the pages.

"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.


Rogers’ picture book depicted his version of the altercation, and his hope to some day, be able to apologize to Rodriguez. "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, who said he was showing the book against the advice of his legal counsel, vowed that such an incident would never be repeated. Rogers declined to answer questions about the incident. Rogers said, “The pictures should be clear enough.”

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 his next scheduled start.

When asked how he got his kids to illustrate the book, Rogers replied, “What kids?”