http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...mlb&id=2032900
CENTRAL ISLIP, New York - John Rocker is willing to work in the New York area.
The controversial reliever, who made disparaging remarks about New York and its baseball fans in a 1999 Sports Illustrated article, has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Independent Atlantic League for the 2005 season.
"John had opportunities to pitch elsewhere and he chose to pitch here," Ducks pitching coach Dave LaPoint said.
The reigning champions of the Atlantic League, the Ducks begin play in May.
Rocker forever will be linked with the Sports Illustrated article in which the former Atlanta Braves closer blasted New York, criticizing the city from everything from its pace to ethnic diversity.
For his remarks, Rocker was suspended by commissioner Bud Selig for 14 games.
The comments also put teammates in an awkward position and the one-time elite closer was traded from Atlanta to Cleveland midway through the 2001 season.
Rocker, 30, spent one season in Cleveland and another in Texas but has been out of baseball since appearing in two games for Tampa Bay early in 2003. He took all of 2004 off while recovering from left shoulder surgery.
In 1999, Rocker saved a career-high 38 games for the Braves. He is 13-22 with 88 saves and a 3.42 ERA in 280 career games.