Lance McCullers Jr. and his family have been receiving death threats on social media after a disastrous start against the Cincinnati Reds, as revealed by Astros manager Joe Espada.
Awareness and Response
Espada stated, "We are aware of the situation," and confirmed that both the Houston Police Department and Major League Baseball (MLB) security have been notified about the threats.
Game Performance
McCullers struggled significantly during the game, walking leadoff hitter TJ Friedl and hitting Matt McLain with a pitch. Elly De La Cruz then hit a three-run homer, giving Cincinnati a 3-0 lead. The Reds scored a total of 10 runs in the first inning, matching their impressive performance from August 1989 when they scored 14 runs against the Astros in a single inning.
This game marked only McCullers’ second start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series due to ongoing right arm issues. Despite his limited experience, he faced intense pressure from Cincinnati’s lineup, ultimately allowing seven earned runs in the first inning alone.
Concerns About Player Safety
This incident raises serious concerns about player safety and online harassment within professional sports leagues like MLB. A spokesperson for MLB did not respond immediately regarding potential actions against those making threats or plans to enhance security measures for targeted players.
Astros general manager Dana Brown also declined to comment on the situation, stating, "We’re aware of it," before leaving reporters at Minute Maid Park.
Broader Context
This incident is not isolated; several high-profile athletes have received threatening messages online following poor performances. For instance, in October of the previous year, Dustin May, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, received threats after allowing six earned runs during Game 1 of the NLCS against Atlanta. May expressed his shock, stating, "It’s crazy how people can say stuff like that."
The ongoing issue of online harassment in sports highlights the need for increased awareness and protective measures for athletes facing such threats.
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