Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker is back to stirring the pot regarding New York City, particularly in light of the potential election of socialist Zoran Mamdani as mayor.
On Tuesday, Rocker took to X to express his views, claiming the city is “rapidly deteriorating into a third world country.”
“Twenty-five years ago, I voiced my concerns about New York’s decline into a Third World country,” he stated. “Back then, I was practically made to feel as if I were insane. Now, it seems the city is considering a Muslim socialist for mayor.”
He concluded his post with a loud “Fuck New York.”
Just a day prior, Rocker criticized the city again, siding with conservative commentator Matt Walsh, who argued that New York is “no longer an American city” due to the lack of English speakers among its residents.
Rocker’s disdain for New York has roots dating back to the 1990s, when he faced backlash from Major League Baseball for his outspoken rants during a tumultuous period of the Mets-Braves rivalry. Those remarks undoubtedly took a toll on his baseball career.
In 1999, Rocker made some harsh comments about the city, going as far as to say he would retire rather than play there. He expressed discomfort with the crowded, bustling atmosphere, likening a subway ride to chaos, filled with a diverse array of people, which he found unsettling. “It feels like riding through Beirut,” he remarked, expressing strong negative sentiments towards the city’s foreign population.
Rocker also criticized the behavior of New York fans, claiming they would spit, throw objects, and hurl insults. His comments did not sit well with MLB officials, leading to a suspension and mandatory psychiatric counseling. Following his release from the Braves in 2001, he had brief stints with the Indians, Rangers, and Devil Rays before, eventually, signing with the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League, where he played only a few months before being released.
