Latest news with #JimCrane
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Astros' McCullers gets first win since 2022 after overcoming injuries, death threats
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Lance McCullers Jr. finally got some peace of mind on Tuesday night. The Astros right-hander pitched six scoreless innings to get his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, as Houston beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0. McCullers missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons because of injuries and had not won in five starts this year since being activated from the injured list on May 4. McCullers (1-1) struck out seven and walked one while outdueling Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who gave up one run — on a solo homer by Christian Walker in the seventh — in eight innings. 'It took a while, but we got there,' McCullers said of getting the win. 'I'm just happy that I'm kind of back in the mix with the guys, and I'm able to give them legitimate opportunities to win.' McCullers was also happy to have a difficult off-field situation behind him. A drunken bettor who made online death threats aimed at McCullers' family lives overseas and told Houston police he was sorry for what he had done, a department spokesperson said Monday. McCullers received the threats on social media directed at his children after a poor start against the Cincinnati Reds on May 10 in which he allowed seven runs while recording only one out. The Astros said Houston police and MLB security were notified. McCullers and his wife Kara have two young daughters. Astros owner Jim Crane hired 24-hour security for them. Police public information officer Erika Ramirez said the man who made the threats was identified during an investigation. Because no charges have been filed, police are not disclosing his identity or where he lives. 'I don't want to keep on about it, but a lot of thanks go to the Astros, the Astros security, Jim Crane, MLB security, my teammates, the HPD,' McCullers said. 'Having resolution is nice. Not being close to Houston is nice. The fans are super supportive, too, and I appreciate that. It's good that it's behind us and our family feels safe again.' The man told police that he would like to apologize to McCullers for the threats. McCullers said he would accept. 'As a follower of Christ and called to love our neighbor and forgive, I would be open to that,' he said. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
3 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Drunken bettor from overseas sent death threats to Astros' Lance McCullers Jr., Houston police say
HOUSTON (AP) — A man who made online death threats aimed at the family of Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. lives overseas and was intoxicated at the time and told Houston police he was sorry for what he had done, a department spokesperson said Monday. McCullers received the threats on social media directed at his children after a poor start against the Cincinnati Reds on May 10. The Astros said Houston police and MLB security were notified. McCullers and his wife Kara have two young daughters. Astros owner Jim Crane hired 24-hour security for them. Police public information officer Erika Ramirez said the man who made the threats was identified during an investigation. Because no charges have been filed, police are not disclosing his identity or where he lives. 'Investigators spoke with him and he stated he had lost money betting on the Astros game and was frustrated and inebriated when he lashed out on social media,' Ramirez said. 'He was apologetic and asked that investigators pass along his apology to the McCullers family.' ESPN first reported that police had located the person who made the threats. ___ AP MLB:
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. reveals heartbreaking conversation with five-year-old daughter after death threats
Houston Astros star Lance McCullers Jr. has made a major move to protect his family after vile death threats were aimed at his kids. It emerged earlier this month that the pitcher and his family were targeted with the horrific abuse following a rough stint on the mound for the MLB player. McCullers, 31, and wife Kara have two young daughters together. McCullers reached out to the Astros front office over the threats and after the news reached the ears of team owner Jim Crane, he offered the right-hander 24-hour security. 'You have to at that point,' McCullers said, via the Associated Press this week. McCullers also revealed that the abuse forced him into a tough conversation with his five-year-old daughter, Ava. 'She asked me when I came home: "Daddy, like, what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?"' McCullers said earlier this week. 'So those conversations are tough to deal with.' The threats 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 May 10 - his second game in nearly three years due to injuries. '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 at the time. '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.' 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 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 at the end of April.
NBC Sports
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Astros owner Crane takes NASA-themed quiz
Houston Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane takes a NASA-themed quiz and Smylie Kaufman checks in with PGA Tour pros to participate in Happy Hour trivia at the Texas Children's Houston Open.
