Lance McCullers Jr. Faces Online Death Threats After Disheartening Performance
In a troubling development for Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., he disclosed receiving online death threats directed not only at him but also at his young children following his challenging outing against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night. McCullers, in only his second start since the 2022 World Series, struggled on the mound, conceding seven runs within just one out, contributing to the Astros’ 13-9 defeat.
In a heartfelt statement, McCullers addressed the threats he has received, emphasizing the emotional toll on him as a father. "I understand people are very passionate about sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little tough to deal with," he said. The pitcher revealed that past threats aimed at him had led to criminal charges against some individuals, highlighting the extreme nature of fan reactions. His daughters, whom he shares with wife Kara, have also become unfortunate targets in this equation.
Astros manager Joe Espada expressed his concerns during a postgame press conference, condemning the personal threats against McCullers and acknowledging the broader implications. "It is very unfortunate that we have to deal with this. After all he’s done for this city, the fact that we have to talk about that is very sad," Espada remarked, resonating with many fans who see the humanity behind the athletes.
McCullers, grappling with both performance pressure and the weight of such threats, stated, "I just want to do my job. There should be some type of decency." The Astros organization has since alerted the Houston Police Department and MLB security to the situation, emphasizing the need for safety in sports.
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