MLBigmouth: John Rocker's Rocky History

Atlanta Braves

MLBigmouth: John Rocker’s rocky history

Photos of controversial former Atlanta Braves closer John Rocker.

During John Rocker's three-and-a-half year stint with the Atlanta Braves, the hard-throwing closer hurled almost as many statements that were viewed as racist, anti-gay, and sexist as he did fastballs.

Rocker's inflammatory remarks to a Sports Illustrated writer about New York City that were printed in the January 2000 issue set off a firestorm of controversy among baseball fans, who let their opinion of Rocker be known throughout the season.

Rocker apologized for his comments but nevertheless continued making incendiary remarks. He was ultimately suspended without pay for the remainder of spring training and the first 28 games of the 2000 season, which on appeal was reduced to 14 games (without a spring-training suspension).

Rocker specifically targeted the New York borough of Queens, home of the Braves' NL East rival Mets, in his infamous SI interview, essentially starting a war between the closer and Mets fans that only got uglier and uglier.

In 2001, the Braves traded Rocker, who kicked around the majors with several teams until 2003. By 2005, he was in the minors starting, ironically, for New York's Long Island Ducks. Here, in 2006, he appeared on Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes."

1/5

During John Rocker's three-and-a-half year stint with the Atlanta Braves, the hard-throwing closer hurled almost as many statements that were viewed as racist, anti-gay, and sexist as he did fastballs.

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: Scenes from icy winter storm in Metro Atlanta

As storm inches closer to Georgia, metro Atlanta braces for ice threat

PHOTOS: Georgia readies for incoming ice storm

PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta ICE protest join national effort

PHOTOS: MLK Day service 2026

More Galleries

PHOTOS: Braves take opener against Yankees

PHOTOS: Atlanta rolls out the red carpet for MLB All-Star Game

PHOTOS: 2025 Home Run Derby in Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves select short stop and outfielder, Tate Southisene, in the 22nd pick of the 2025 MLB Draft Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Alerts