Former MLB pitcher John Rocker found himself back in the news this week after making some unflattering remarks about Uber drivers on social media. Known for his brash comments, the former closer for the Atlanta Braves made a statement that raised eyebrows again.
He proposed that the ride-sharing platform X should include an “American Citizen Driver” option. Rocker expressed his disdain, saying, “I don’t want to be driven by someone who was riding a camel 12 months ago.” This comment didn’t really sit well with everyone.
This isn’t Rocker’s first brush with controversy. Back in 1999, he famously declared he would never play for the New York Yankees or the Mets, preferring not to ride the train next to people he described in a rather derogatory manner. His remarks included descriptions of diverse individuals, and yes, they sparked quite the outrage.
Rocker said, “The thing I hate most in New York are foreigners. You can walk one block through Times Square and not hear anyone speaking English. Asians, Koreans, Vietnamese, Indians, Russians, Spanish, and everything else is there. How on earth did they get to this country?” Interesting perspective, to say the least. He last played professionally with the Long Island Ducks in the independent league and faced a 28-game suspension in 2000 due to his controversial statements.
Recently, he even tweeted about the Super Bowl, making some unfounded claims about Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and saying he was a “transvestite singer who speaks very little English.” This certainly adds to the narrative surrounding his, well, vocal opinions.
Rocker had a solid six-year career, with stints on teams like the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He racked up 88 saves, mostly between 1999 and 2001, and boasted a 3.42 ERA. His peak season was in 1999 when he was instrumental in the Braves’ success, striking out 104 batters in just over 72 innings pitched with a commendable 2.49 ERA.
