Former MLB pitcher and bigot hurl hate at New York mayoral candidate Mamdani
John Rocker, the former Atlanta Braves star who infamously offended the entire city of New York, is now attacking his leading candidate for mayor, Democrat Zohran Mamdani.
“25 years ago I criticized New York for its rapid decline into a third world country,” Rocker wrote Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter. “They forced me to receive psychological counseling, as if I was the crazy one. 25 years later, the city votes a Muslim socialist for mayor. FUCK NEW YORK.”
25 years ago I criticized New York for its rapid decline into a third world country.
They forced me to undergo Psychological Counseling, as if I were the crazy one.
25 years later, the city elects a Muslim socialist for mayor.
FUCK NEW YORK.
– JohnRocker (@itsJohnRocker) October 28, 2025
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25 years ago I criticized New York for its rapid decline into a third world country.
They forced me to undergo Psychological Counseling, as if I were the crazy one.
25 years later, the city elects a Muslim socialist for mayor.
FUCK NEW YORK.
– JohnRocker (@itsJohnRocker) October 28, 2025
The hard-throwing relief pitcher piled on prejudice in a 1999 Sports Illustrated article, earning the eternal scorn of Gotham and Mets fans.
When asked if he would ever play for the team, Rocker enshrined himself in the Hate Hall of Fame:
“I would retire first,” he responded. “It’s the most hectic and stressful city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the stadium looking like you’re [riding through] Beirut next to a boy with purple hair, next to a faggot with AIDS, next to a guy who just got out of jail for the fourth time, next to a 20-year-old mother with four children. It’s depressing.”
“What I don’t like most about New York are foreigners,” he added. “You can walk a whole block in Times Square and not hear anyone speaking English. Asians, Koreans, Vietnamese, Indians, Russians, Spanish and everything there. How the hell did they get to this country?”
MATT CAMPBELL via Getty Images
Rocker was ordered to undergo psychological testing and was suspended through spring training and the first 28 days of the regular season. He was later allowed to attend spring training and his suspension was reduced to the first 14 days of the regular season.
Rocker’s return visit with the Braves to Shea Stadium in 2000 led the New York City Police Department to deploy hundreds of additional officers to protect him.
Ezra Shaw via Getty Images
The left-handed closer’s X account is littered with far-right messages, including an insult to Mamdani.
“I don’t give a damn if Mohammad [sic] “Mamdani rides her bike around New York to go to kebab stands,” he wrote on October 16. “Not really.”
MATT CAMPBELL via Getty Images
Mamdani has a comfortable lead in the polls as Tuesday’s election day approaches.
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