Lance McCullers Jr., a two-time World Series champion and pitcher for the Houston Astros, is currently facing death threats from some of his own fans. These threats, which have been reported to police by both the team and Major League Baseball, include alarming messages warning that if McCullers does not improve his performance, his children will be targeted. Such threats are both disturbing and unacceptable.
Recent Performance and Injuries
McCullers has struggled with injuries that have kept him off the field in recent seasons. He missed most of 2023 due to elbow surgery and made his first start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series on Saturday night against Seattle at Minute Maid Park. Unfortunately, he had a rough outing, allowing seven runs in just one-third of an inning before being pulled by Astros manager Joe Espada.
Reactions from the Team
Espada expressed his dismay at the situation, stating, "It’s unacceptable for fans to threaten players’ lives and families over their performances on the field," following Houston’s 11-5 loss to Seattle on Sunday afternoon.
Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña also weighed in, saying, "I think it’s sad. We’re all human beings at the end of the day." When asked how he would feel if someone threatened him or his family, Peña responded, "That would be very scary."
Astros general manager Dana Brown shared his frustration, emphasizing that such behavior is not acceptable from any fan base. "It just shows you there is no level too low for some people," he remarked during media availability.
Ongoing Support and Safety Measures
Brown noted that MLB security is collaborating with local law enforcement regarding the threats against McCullers. "We’re going to work together with them (MLB security) as much as we can so we can get this resolved quickly," he added.
While the Astros were scheduled to play another game against Seattle on Monday night, no official statement had been made regarding the continuation of games amid these ongoing threats. McCullers did not speak publicly after Sunday’s loss but tweeted earlier in the weekend, "I love my job," despite his recent struggles.
Brown emphasized the need for support for everyone involved, including those making the threats. "If you’re feeling angry enough about something where you want to threaten somebody else’s life or family member because they didn’t perform well in a game, then there needs help," he stated. He also encouraged anyone who knows someone making such threats to contact authorities immediately.
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