A man who told police Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers grabbed him by the collar during an altercation near Comerica Park last weekend says he wants to drop the matter.

James Spurlock, 37, of Adrian, told the Detroit Free Press he will settle for an apology from Rogers for the way he and his 14-year-old son were treated when the boy asked for an autograph.

``I'm not going to pursue anything against him. I thought about it today. I don't want to get into that,'' Spurlock said Wednesday. ``All I would want him to do is apologize.''

Rogers has declined comment on the situation.

According to police, Rogers was driving out of a parking structure near the ballpark after Saturday night's loss to Kansas City when Spurlock started beating on Rogers' car.

Spurlock said Wednesday that he never touched the car.

Spurlock said his son, Stefan, an ardent Rogers fan, had hoped to get an autograph. Stefan, who had injured his leg playing football, hobbled toward Rogers' car when he saw his idol, Spurlock said, but Rogers waved him off.

Spurlock said he called Rogers an expletive, ``and he called me one back.'' He said Rogers then got out of the car, walked over to him and grabbed his shirt.

Multiple witnesses said there was no physical contact, according to police.

Spurlock said he's willing to own up to his role in the altercation.

``I would apologize to his family also for cursing with his kid in the back seat,'' he said.

Rogers is scheduled to start Game 3 of the AL division series against New York on Friday in Detroit. Spurlock said he worries all the attention on the altercation could hurt Rogers' concentration.

``It could be a distraction for him and I certainly feel for him,'' he said.

Despite what happened, ``I really like the guy,'' Spurlock said.

Rogers served a 13-game suspension for shoving two television cameramen June 29, 2005, when he was with the Texas Rangers. He agreed to take an anger management class to avoid possible jail time for the incident.

Detroit signed Rogers as a free agent in December to a two-year,
US$16 million contract.

© The Canadian Press, 2007