ROGERS BATTLES CAMERAS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas - A day after Angels manager Mike Scioscia was called a ``drama queen'' by one of the local newspapers, all the drama Wednesday involved Texas left-hander Kenny Rogers, who was involved in a pregame confrontation with two television cameramen.

As Rangers players emerged from the dugout less than two hours before game time, Rogers shoved one cameraman's camera to the ground after saying, ``I told you to get those cameras out of my face.''

He then went after another cameraman, pushing the camera and then yanking it out of the cameraman's hand and onto the ground, before kicking it. That cameraman, Larry Rodriguez of KDFW in Dallas-Fort Worth, left the stadium on a stretcher. Rodriguez is expected to press criminal charges against Rogers.

Rogers was escorted back into the Rangers clubhouse by catcher Rod Barajas, but not before telling other cameramen: ``I'll break every (expletive) one of them.''

Rogers then left the ballpark.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks and manager Buck Showalter agreed that Rogers' behavior, which was videotaped by numerous media outlets, was unacceptable. Both said they would gather all the facts before deciding on disciplinary action. Major League Baseball likely will impose its own disciplinary measures, which likely will include a suspension.

``Obviously, he has anger-management issues,'' Hicks said. ``It's probably what makes him so competitive, but there's a line, and he clearly crossed that line.''

Said Showalter: ``It's unfortunate. I'm not taking it lightly.''

Rogers has had an adversarial relationship with the media all season, starting in spring training when it was written that Rogers would retire if he didn't get a contract extension. He's having a good season, going 9-3 with a 2.46 ERA, but he suffered a hairline fracture in his right (non-pitching) hand June 17 from punching a water cooler.

``I know his right hand is hurt, but I don't know if it affects pitching with his left hand,'' Hicks said. ``I know if he wanted to maximize his contract, the best thing would have been to beat the Angels (Tuesday) night.''

Maria Barrs, news director for KDFW, said Rodriguez had been checked out at the hospital and was complaining of pain in his shoulder, arm and leg.