The Houston Astros have got police involved after vile death threats were aimed at the kids of the team’s pitcher, Lance McCullers Jr.
It came after the Astros right-hander, a two-time World Series winner, allowed seven runs from a 10-run first inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night – his second game in nearly three years due to injuries.
McCullers, 31, and wife Kara have two young daughters together.
‘I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with,’ McCullers said after the game, which his team lost 13-9.
‘So just as a father, I think there have been many, many threats over the years aimed at me, mostly, and I think actually one or two people from other issues around baseball actually had to go to jail for things like that.
‘But I think bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them or next time they see us in public they’re going to stab my kids to death, things like that, it’s tough to hear as a dad.’
Vike death threats were made to the young kids of Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr
The 31-year-old McCullers and his wife Kara have two young daughters together
Saturday night’s game was McCullers’ second in almost three years after major injury issues
Joe Espada, the Astros manager, added: ‘There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance.
‘It is very unfortunate that we have to deal with this. After all he’s done for this city, for his team, the fact that we have to talk about that in my office… I got kids too, and it really drives me nuts that we have to deal with this. Very sad. Very, very sad.’
McCullers was making just his second start for the Astros since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series.
A series of right arm issues have derailed his career since that night and his return to the team this year was seen as huge success story.
‘He hasn’t pitched in 2 1/2 years. We’ve got to give some time, all right?’ Espada said.
‘This can’t happen. I’m really upset that this happened to athletes, and … you know, we’re trying our best. Everybody’s trying our best. But the fact I’ve gotta go to my office and deal with this? Come on. We’re better than that.’
McCullers started the home game against the Reds but got pulled in the first inning after allowing seven runs on three hits and three walks on 36 pitches.
The Reds went on to score 10 runs in the inning and won 13-9.
McCullers has spent his career with the Astros and was part of World Series championship teams in 2017 and 2022.
He missed all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons because of arm issues and made his return last Sunday against the host Chicago White Sox.
‘Obviously, you want to pitch well, but I think putting your teammates in that spot is more of the downer of the outing,’ McCullers added.
‘I haven’t felt super comfortable with my pitches the last two outings. Don’t know if it’s just the time off. I don’t feel nervous, but maybe I’m just not moving in the way I’m accustomed to moving.
“You know, you fail on a very large stage, a lot of eyes and there’s nowhere to hide. At the end of the day, I just want to do my job.
‘I just want to be a good pitcher for the Astros. And I believe I’ll get there.’