The Associated Press story about John Rocker’s demotion to the minor leagues was six paragraphs long, and it detailed his failings this season and his general manager’s hope that a brief trip toTriple-A Oklahoma will be just the thing.

And then came the final paragraph: "Rocker made disparaging remarks about gays, minorities and others in a Sports Illustrated interview before the 2000 season."

Those 30-month-old remarks had nothing to do with his 9.53 ERA. They had nothing to do with him going from Texas to Oklahoma. Exactly zero people who read that far in that AP story didn’t already know that about Rocker.

The problem is, we’ve been taught to read this without thinking. That one sentence has come to define John Rocker. That’s what he is. That’s what he always will be. End of story.

If, as a writer, you fail to include that sentence in your story, you can be pretty certain an editor will include it.

Before this goes any further, don’t let it be misconstrued as a defense of John Rocker. Still, think about it: Is there a statute of limitations on stupidity? Can a semi-famous or famous person get out from under a stupid act, or acts, in his lifetime?

Doesn’t seem possible. Bobby Knight can’t escape The Chair, and Rocker can’t escape The Remarks.

Rocker is a poor example -- for one thing, he hasn’t done anything to help his own cause -- but the next time someone says the media simply won’t let something go … well, maybe they’re right.

This Week’s List:

Ichiro, in a previous life: Ty Cobb.

You watch Ichiro play and a weird thought occurs: He’s baseball’s first point guard.

The Mariners’ incredible start last year: 15-4 through the first 19.

The Mariners’ incredible start this year: 13-3 through the first 16.

Anaheim, always the home of wholesome family entertainment: Angel teammates Ben Weber and Dennis Cook are believed to be the only big-league teammates who are also the fathers of twins.

Introducing the highest-paid coach in the history of sport: George Karl, who led the only No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8, now home for the playoffs.

And not only that, but going out strong: Pistons 123, Bucks 89.

The deal in Milwaukee: 1) Davey Lopes can’t win with Mike Buddie and Raul Casanova, so he gets fired; 2) Karl can’t make the playoffs in a weak conference with Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell, and so …

This has nothing to do with anything, but: CNN’s Aaron Brown is so boring doctors should prescribe him for insomnia.

Just for the heck of it: Rick Lancellotti.

One sobering thought about the NBA playoffs: Imagine for a moment the Lakers losing four of seven at any time in the next six weeks.

Guess what?: Can’t see it happening.

Back, by popular demand, just in time for the playoffs: "Flop Along with Vlade," in which our hero flies through the lane and lands on his back every third trip down the floor.

One guy to watch: Nick Van Exel, Mavs.

One easy way to tell if your franchise is utterly and irrevocably screwed up: It wins the one game in the season it absolutely had to lose.

Our own real-life example: The Golden State Warriors, who only needed a loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night to secure the worst record in the NBA, and hence the largest number of lottery balls.

The only place you’ll get less NHL playoff knowledge than here: Tahiti.

Funky flashback: David Wells the Blue Jay, saying he wanted to be traded to the Mets "to beat the pants off the Yankees."

Transaction line of the week: "ADIRONDACK WILDCATS -- Signed G Terrell Owens."

Behind the headlines: Leon Smith and Darryl Dawkins accepted a pay cut to get Owens under the cap.

Publication alert: Just six weeks till the first college football preview magazines hit the stands!

When weird gets weirder: Hideki Irabu, closer, Rangers.

You get the impression there’s a bunch of guys standing around looking at their watch, like they’re waiting for a train or a doctor’s appointment: Barry Bonds homered Wednesday night, his eighth, and it prompted the following remark from a local sportscaster -- "He hit his first home run since the weekend."

Barry Bonds, throwback: Bonds is playing with a torn hamstring, which is a reminder that he doesn’t get the credit for being a gamer and gutty or any of those comments usually reserved for the Frankie Menechinos and David Ecksteins of the world.

The Dodgers, getting one right: Ishii, 3-0 with a 1.53.

And finally, even though you don’t need the reminder: It’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s world, and the rest of us are just renting.

Tim Keown is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at tim.keown@espnmag.com.