Latest news with #HoustonAstros
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers receives death threats after loss to Reds
Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers says he and his family were subjected to death threats after he gave up seven runs in the first inning of Saturday night's 13-9 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. A team spokesperson said the Astros have notified the Houston Police Department and Major League Baseball security about the comments made on social media. Advertisement "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 Saturday's game. He and his wife, Kara, have two young daughters. "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." McCullers, a 2018 All-Star who has battled a number of injuries over the past few years, finally returned to the Astros active roster on May 4, pitching for the first time since the 2022 World Series. Advertisement Saturday's game was only his second start since returning. In the Reds' 10-run first inning, McCullers allowed a three-run homer to Elly De La Cruz and RBI hits from Tyler Stephenson and Will Benson before he was removed after getting only one out. In just his second appearance since the 2022 World Series, Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. allowed three hits, three walks and seven earned runs in 1/3 of an inning on May 10 against the Cincinnati Reds. Astros manager Joe Espada was visibly upset as he addressed the media after Saturday's game. "There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance," Espada said. "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. Advertisement "Listen, he hasn't pitched in 2½ years. ... It's going to take a little bit of time to get him going. And that's fine. But this can't happen. I'm really upset that this can happen to athletes." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lance McCullers Jr. gets death threats after poor start vs. Reds
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. gets 24-hour security after death threats against family
Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is getting 24-hour security after receiving online death threats directed at his family. McCullers, who returned to the mound at the beginning of May after missing nearly two years due to injury, told the Associated Press that his 5-year-old daughter overheard a conversation he was with having with his wife about the threats and asked him what was going on. Advertisement 'She asked me when I came home: 'Daddy like what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?'' McCullers said. 'So, those conversations are tough to deal with.' The Astros contacted MLB security and the Houston Police Department about the threats, and team owner Jim Crane hired 24-hour security for the family after McCullers asked what could be done to protect his family. After McCullers' start on May 10, giving up seven runs in the first inning while recording only one out, Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters about the online abuse that the 31-year-old starter had received that night. "There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance tonight," Espada said. "It's very unfortunate that we have to deal with this – after all he's done for this city, for this team. … I've got kids, too. And it really drives me nuts that we have to deal with this." Advertisement McCullers helped the Astros win World Series titles in 2017 and 2022, posting a 3.47 ERA in 72⅔ career postseason innings. '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 on May 10. 'There have been many, many threats over the years aimed at me mostly ... 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 are tough to hear as a dad.' Threats and abuse directed at players and their families have received increased attention in recent years, with many of the incidents tied to angry sports gamblers. Advertisement "It gets ugly really quickly. It's scary, and it's sad," relief pitcher Paul Sewald told USA TODAY Sports in 2024. "It used to be fans who were upset because you blew the game for the team, but now it's gambling... They just care about their bets, and we're talking about money they don't have that they are losing. So, it's a very scary spot." Earlier in May, Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks – a cancer survivor – spoke out about the comments he received after a rough outing. "Just as an FYI: Threats against my life and my wife's life are horrible and cruel. You need help," Hendriks posted to his Instagram story. "Leaving comments to tell me to commit suicide and how you wish I died of cancer is disgusting and vile." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astros' Lance McCullers Jr gets security after death threats on family
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Junior Caminero's monster game was the difference in the Tampa Bay Rays' win over the Houston Astros
Why Junior Caminero's monster game was the difference in the Tampa Bay Rays' win over the Houston Astros (Image Source: Getty Images) One standout performance from Junior Caminero was enough to turn a close game into a clear victory for Tampa Bay. It was the 21-year-old infielder's six-RBI night that led his team to a 13-3 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Caminero's outstanding offensive performance broke the Houston Astros' winning streak and displayed why he will be important for Tampa Bay's future championship plans. His ability to hit well in tight games showed the maturity of a much older player. Junior Caminero's clutch hitting transforms a tight contest into Tampa Bay Rays blowout The game changed in the seventh inning as both teams were tied at 3-3 and seemed to have the momentum. Junior Caminero was in the batter's box against Houston Astros' Bryan King, since both runners were in scoring position and the game hung in the balance. A three-run homer by the Tampa Bay Rays next led to their first advantage of the inning and made them feel better in the game. Here, Junior Caminero clearly demonstrated how he was up to the task when his team was counting on him. The Dominican player had contributed an RBI single earlier in the game, but what he did in the seventh brought him true stardom. The hit marked his eleventh homer and showed the kind of clutch play championship teams need from their young stars. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Balneário Arroio Do Silva (consulte o preço) Alarmes Saiba Mais Undo Tampa Bay Rays' balanced offensive attack complements Junior Caminero's brilliance Junior Caminero got all the attention for his huge night, but the Tampa Bay Rays' victory proved they can win in many ways. Thanks to their aggressive baserunning strategy, the team managed five stolen bases and increased their Major League Baseball-leading total to 81 this season. Yandy Díaz's RBI single was pivotal before Junior Caminero hit his home run. The Tampa Bay Rays took advantage of errors by the Houston Astros, with first baseman Victor Caratini making one, showing their readiness to take chances in scoring runs. With strong batting and great pitching, the Tampa Bay Rays were able to outperform their opposition. With the win, the Tampa Bay Rays have a good start to their series with the Houston Astros, where right-handed Ryan Pepiot will face Framber Valdez in Friday night's game. You can watch the game on your local sports channels or online. Also Read: MLB takes bold step into women's sports with Athletes Unlimited Softball stake Junior Caminero's breakout performance serves as a reminder that baseball's most memorable moments often emerge from unexpected sources. His combination of power, clutch hitting, and poise under pressure suggests that Tampa Bay Rays fans have discovered their next franchise cornerstone, capable of delivering championship-calibre performances when the stakes are highest.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
What led Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to hire security for himself and his daughter
What led Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to hire security for himself and his daughter (Image Source: Getty Images) Lance McCullers Jr., a pitcher for the Houston Astros, took the unusual step of hiring private security all the time for his family after threats against his 5-year-old daughter Ava became more severe on the internet. Because the threats got so serious, Lance McCullers' wife, Kara, had to discuss them by phone in front of their daughter. The veteran pitcher has had to comfort his daughter after she innocently asked him about the meaning of threats and the possibility of harm to their family. These serious dangers have changed normal family life so much that security services are now necessary. Online harassment reaches dangerous new levels for Houston Astros families The issue with Lance McCullers Jr. is part of a troubling trend for players and their families, as online attacks have turned from basic complaints to actual threats. After learning about the threats made against the McCullers family, the Houston Astros called both the MLB security team and the Houston Police Department. Police representatives have stated that the case is still under investigation as authorities attempt to determine who sent the threatening messages. Earlier this month, Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks experienced the same problems when his family was threatened after he struggled against the New York Mets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The 36-year-old pitcher, who recovered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, said online trolls wished he had died of cancer, showing just how far these bullies will go. The reaction from bettors in both events suggests that sports betting has made fans angrier, and they now direct their frustrations at the players. Security measures and league response to protect Major League Baseball families Lance McCullers Jr. acknowledged that hiring 24-hour security became an absolute necessity once threats escalated to include his children, stating simply, "You have to at that point." The Houston Astros organisation has implemented comprehensive security protocols, including uniformed police officers stationed in family seating sections during home games, measures that were established even before the recent threats against the McCullers family. Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Christian Yelich, the 2018 National League Most Valuable Player, confirmed that receiving online abuse has become "a nightly thing" for most players across the league. Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene completely deleted his Instagram account due to constant harassment from angry bettors, while Chicago White Sox outfielder Mike Tauchman noted that some teammates have endured racist and homophobic slurs both online and at ballparks. Major League Baseball and individual franchises have developed cybersecurity programs specifically designed to identify and remove threatening social media accounts, though Boston Red Sox spokesperson Abby Murphy acknowledged the difficulty in tracking anonymous online harassers. The league continues expanding security measures for player families both at home venues and during road trips. Also Read: Top 10 tallest players in MLB history: Where does Aaron Slegers rank? The McCullers incident serves as a stark reminder that professional athletes' families, including young children, should never become targets for fan frustration, regardless of on-field performance or betting outcomes.
Washington Post
7 hours ago
- General
- Washington Post
Lance McCullers Jr. hires security after online death threats, some aimed at 5-year-old daughter
HOUSTON — Soon after Lance McCullers Jr.'s family received online death threats following a tough start by the Houston Astros' pitcher, his 5-year-old daughter, Ava, overheard wife Kara talking on the phone about it. What followed was a painful conversation between McCullers and his little girl. 'She asked me when I came home: 'Daddy like what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?'' McCullers told The Associated Press on Wednesday. 'So, those conversations are tough to deal with.'
