The commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig, originally fined Mr Rocker, sent him for psychological counselling, and suspended him for several games.

ECONOMIST: John Rocker, under fire

Mr Rocker has become easy meat on all the late night talk shows and a soundbite for politicians across the spectrum.

ECONOMIST: John Rocker, under fire

Atlanta, Mr Rocker's home as well as his professional base, is two-thirds white, a quarter black and the rest Latino and Asian.

ECONOMIST: John Rocker, under fire