A two-time World Series champion has tragically passed away, reportedly due to actions taken by his own fans.
Lance McCullers Jr., a pitcher for the Houston Astros and member of the 2022 and 2017 World Series teams, disclosed receiving a death threat aimed at his children after a disappointing performance against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.
In that game, McCullers allowed seven runs in just a third of an inning during the Astros’ 13-9 loss at home.
This was only his second outing since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series.
While some fans were perhaps eager to offer encouragement, others took a much darker turn.
After the game, McCullers expressed concerns over the threats he encountered on social media.
“People really care about the Astros and sports, but threatening my child is truly unsettling,” the 31-year-old right-hander stated. “As a father, these threats have been a worry for years. Some individuals in baseball have actually faced jail time over similar issues. I feel like next time, they could find my kids in public and attack them. It’s just frightening.”
The Astros organization informed both the Houston Police Department and Major League Baseball about the threats.
McCullers and his wife, Kara, have two young daughters, adding another layer of concern for him.
Astros manager Joe Espada showed his distress regarding the threats directed at McCullers’s family, emphasizing that they also extend to his life.
“Due to his performance, there are those who threaten his life and that of his children,” Espada noted. “It’s unfortunate we have to address this. We should be focused on baseball, not such awful matters.”
McCullers, who has played with the Astros since 2015, described the emotional toll of receiving a death threat and how it complicates his efforts to find his rhythm on the mound.
“When you fail, it’s at a huge level, under the spotlight, and there’s nowhere to hide,” he reflected. “At the end of the day, I want to do my job well for the Astros. I believe I can get back to that, but right now, I’m also worried about my family—like dropping my kids off at school.”
