If Rocker Takes Subway, He’ll Get a Police Escort

If Atlanta relief pitcher John Rocker carries out his threat to ride the subway to games between the New York Mets and the Braves, there could be more cops on the train than purple-haired punks, unwed mothers and AIDS patients combined.

Security at Shea Stadium will be tight for the four-game series that begins Thursday. And Met fans itching to taunt Rocker--who angered New Yorkers with his views on punks and foreigners riding New York subways--may find their anger dulled by a two-beer limit.

Police said Tuesday that Rocker can take the subway, which passes through many immigrant communities. But he may have trouble starting a meaningful dialogue with other riders.

“If Rocker gets on the train, he’ll be entirely surrounded by police officers,” police spokeswoman Marilyn Mode said.

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Negotiators for baseball owners and umpires met for about six hours in New York and Sandy Alderson, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner’s office, called the talks productive.

The sides recessed bargaining for a new contract until after July 4. In an interim agreement earlier this year, they extended the terms of the expired contract through May 31, then extended it again through June 30. That date may be pushed back again.

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The San Diego City Council voted 8-0 to provide $10 million in interim financing to keep construction on a downtown ballpark for the Padres from shutting down in July for lack of money.

Voters in 1998 voted to spend $225 million to build the stadium as part of a redevelopment plan for the rundown eastern portion of downtown. But sales of the bonds to pay the city’s 70% share have been delayed by lawsuits and appeals by ballpark opponents.

Padre President Larry Lucchino told the council that without an advance from the council, the project, which has cleared away several blocks, would have to be halted.

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Cal Ripken is expected to go on the disabled list after re-injuring his back late in the Baltimore Orioles’ 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. Ripken, who underwent back surgery Sept. 23, left the game for a pinch-runner in the 10th inning, feeling irritation in his back. Baltimore manager Mike Hargrove said Ripken will undergo an MRI exam today in Baltimore and there was an “80% to 90% chance” he would be put on disabled list . . . The Red Sox put outfielder Trot Nixon on the 15-day disabled list before Tuesday’s game because of a strained right hamstring.