Jones, Rocker Clear Air

Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves, who was called “white trash� by former teammate John Rocker, said their lingering feud ended Thursday with a 45-minute telephone conversation.

Jones said he called Rocker to apologize for comments made after the controversial reliever was traded to the Cleveland Indians last Friday. According to Jones, Rocker also apologized for criticizing the third baseman in a radio interview Wednesday.

“We got a lot of things off our chest,� Jones said. “None of us knows what it’s like to walk in John’s shoes on a daily basis, and none of us ever will.�

Rocker was upset that Jones made a “flippant comment� about the pitcher’s actions during a bench-clearing brawl between the Braves and Toronto Blue Jays two weeks ago. After the trade, Jones also pointed out the impact of Rocker’s wildness late in the game, even though the left-hander saved 83 games during his four seasons in Atlanta.

“We held our breath in the ninth inning the last two or three years,� Jones said. “That’s kind of unnerving.�

Rocker struck back during an interview with WKLS, a rock station that was about the only Atlanta media outlet Rocker would talk to after disparaging gays, immigrants and minorities in a Sports Illustrated article in December 1999. The pitcher served a two-week suspension at the beginning of last season and never regained much respect in the Braves’ clubhouse.

“Chip’s white trash anyway,� Rocker said. “He’s never had much respect for me, so I don’t have much respect for him.�

Barry Larkin is staying put at shortstop--as long as he can stay off the disabled list.

Cincinnati Red Manager Bob Boone said he has no intention of moving the hobbled shortstop to another position. Larkin has been bothered by a strained groin since spring training and is limited on defense because of the injury.

The Boston Red Sox put outfielder Carl Everett on the 15-day disabled list because his swollen right knee, injured last week, has failed to improve. . . . Outfielder Gerald Williams, who started his major league career with the New York Yankees, returned to the World Series champions Thursday night when he agreed to a contract four days after being released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.