Rocker Threw Water at Seattle Fans

SEATTLE —  Controversial Cleveland Indian relief pitcher John Rocker might have gotten himself into hot water with a cup of cold water.

Rocker admitted to Manager Charlie Manuel on Thursday that he’d thrown a cup of drinking water toward fans who, he said, were harassing him near Cleveland’s left-field bullpen during Game 1 of the Indian-Mariner series Tuesday.

Baseball officials were looking into the incident, which came to light when a Mariner season-ticket holder, Jimbo Jones, e-mailed Frank Robinson, baseball’s disciplinarian, and two Seattle newspapers with details of the incident.

According to Jones, “A near-riot ensued as people became livid at his actions. Literally, old ladies and little kids joined in on the flurry of attacks and hostility directed at Mr. Rocker.”

Baseball spokeswoman Phyllis Mehrige said she didn’t know if there would be any disciplinary action against Rocker, whose insensitive remarks in a 1999 Sports Illustrated article made him one of baseball’s most ridiculed players.

One witness, Rob Jepson, 37, of North Bend, Wash., told the Associated Press that fans were chanting, “Rocker Racist!”

“He wasn’t being a creep,” Jepson said. “He didn’t start anything.”

Rocker declined comment about the incident.