John Rocker: Baseball’s Wild Card (In More Ways Than One)

John Rocker: Baseball’s Wild Card (In More Ways Than One) If you were a baseball fan in the late '90s, chances are you heard the name John Rocker—and not just because of his pitching skills. Rocker was the kind of guy who could throw a fastball at 98 mph but also throw words around just as recklessly. A Promising Start Rocker was born in 1974 and quickly made a name for himself as a relief pitcher. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves, he had a solid arm and the confidence (or maybe arrogance) to match. By 1999, he was closing out games and helping the Braves make a deep playoff run. When he was on the mound, batters knew they were in for a tough time. When he was off the mound... well, reporters knew they were in for a wild time too.