the gambler goes nuts...

ARLINGTON – The bizarre saga of angry Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers turned violent Wednesday at Ameriquest Field in Arlington when he knocked aside one TV camera and kicked another, sending a TV cameraman to the hospital.

Rogers, a left-hander who has a broken bone in his right hand, has been visibly angry for two days since various local TV and radio chatter suggested he backed out of a start against the American League West-leading Los Angeles Angels in a ploy for a contract extension.

"This is not a good thing," Rangers manager Buck Showalter said shortly after the incident but before talking to Rogers. "It's definitely not a good thing. It's not something that will be taken lightly."