On December 22, 1999, an interview with Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Rocker in Sports Illustrated magazine was published, igniting a firestorm of controversy across baseball and beyond. Rocker’s hateful and offensive remarks targeted numerous racial, ethnic, and social groups, leading to widespread condemnation and significant repercussions for the then-prominent closer. This incident remains a stark reminder of the impact of words and the importance of accountability in professional sports.
The Sports Illustrated article, penned by Jeff Pearlman, featured Rocker’s unfiltered opinions stemming from his experiences in New York City. When asked about the possibility of playing for either the New York Yankees or the New York Mets, Rocker unleashed a tirade that would quickly become infamous. His description of riding the 7 Train to Shea Stadium, home of the Mets at the time, painted a picture of fear and prejudice:
“I’d retire first. It’s the most hectic, nerve-wracking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you’re riding through Beirut-next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing…”
Rocker’s xenophobia was further exposed in his comments about the diverse population of New York City:
“The biggest thing I don’t like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians-and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?”
Beyond his generalized bigotry, Rocker also directed specific animosity towards New York Mets fans, characterizing them in derogatory terms:
“Nowhere else in the country do people spit at you, throw bottles at you, throw quarters at you, throw batteries at you and say, “Hey, I did your mother last night—she’s a whore.” I talked about what degenerates they were and they proved me right.”
The article also revealed further instances of Rocker’s offensive behavior during the interview. Pearlman reported that Rocker spat on a tollbooth and mocked Asian women. Additionally, he reportedly referred to his Atlanta Braves teammate, Curaçaoan outfielder Randall Simon, with a racist slur, calling him a “fat monkey.”
The fallout from the Sports Illustrated interview was immediate and intense. Community leaders, media outlets, the Atlanta Braves organization, and even Rocker’s own teammates and coaches publicly denounced his remarks. Calls for disciplinary action were swift and widespread. Despite a subsequent apology after conversations with baseball legend Hank Aaron and former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, the damage was done.
Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker facing backlash after his controversial Sports Illustrated interview in December 1999.
Commissioner Bud Selig responded to the controversy by suspending John Rocker for the remainder of spring training and the first 28 games of the 2000 Major League Baseball season. While this suspension was later reduced to 14 games upon appeal (with the spring training suspension removed), it was a significant penalty and a clear message from MLB regarding intolerance.
The John Rocker Baseball controversy serves as a pivotal moment in sports history, highlighting the responsibility that public figures, particularly athletes, have in their words and actions. While Rocker continued his baseball career for several more seasons, playing for Cleveland, Texas, and Tampa Bay after leaving Atlanta, the shadow of the Sports Illustrated interview and its aftermath remained a defining aspect of his public persona. The incident prompted crucial conversations about prejudice, accountability, and the role of athletes in society, lessons that continue to resonate in the world of sports and beyond.
