
On this day, 38 years ago, one of baseball's all-time controversial figures was born. Yes, we're talking about none other than former Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians pitcher, John Rocker. A human firestorm of controversy, Rocker basically took a can full of gas and a handful of matches to his public image all the way back in 1999, when his remarkably off-the-cuff interview with Sports Illustrated essentially ostracized himself from civilized humanity by taking shots at homosexuals, women, and races of all types. It remains today as one of the most impressively unabashed expressions of racism and prejudice by any athlete ever.
Of course, Rocker certainly isn't the first figure in sports to use a racial slur or two. Over time, many major sports have accumulated a dirty laundry list of one racially-charged incident after the next. But to narrow them down a bit for you guys, we shortened that list to the 20 Most Racist Sports Statements of the Past 25 Years. From 1988 to the present, who put their foot in their mouth the worst? Don Imus, Fuzzy Zoeller, Rob Parker? You be the judge.
Bob Griese Learns Why He Should Stick to Football

Greek Olympic Track Star Gets Herself Kicked Out of Olympics

Fritz Korbach's "Football Language"

Hall W. Thompson Explains Selective Racism

Ron Atkinson Bows Out of Broadcasting in Disgrace

John Rocker Expresses His Hate for New York City

Kelly Tilghman Jokes That Other Golfers Should "Lynch" Tiger Woods

The Big Aristotle Makes a Big Mistake

Riley Cooper Makes Every Country Music Fan Look Bad

Jason Whitlock Questions Jeremy Lin's Manhood

The AC Milan Vice President Has a Nickname for Mario Balotelli

Gold Medal-Winning Sprinter Thanks His Slave Ancestors for His Speed

Carl Crawford is Called a "Monday" by Massachusetts Police Officer

Don Imus' 'Nappy Headed Hoes' Rant

Rob Parker Says Robert Griffin III is a "Cornball Brother"

Fuzzy Zoeller Plays Into Every Racist Stereotype About Golf

Rush Limbaugh Thinks Donovan McNabb is Overrated Because He's Black

Jimmy The Greek Says Black People are Better Athletes Thanks to Slavery

Marge Schott Shows Her Prolific Ignorance

John Rocker Calls Teammate a "Fat Monkey"
