Astros' McCullers, family got death threats after tough start
Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. revealed that he and his family received death threats following his rough start against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
"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 postgame, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
McCullers, making his first start in Houston since 2022, allowed seven runs on three hits and three walks in just a third of an inning as the Reds put up 10 runs in the frame.
"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, it's tough to hear as a dad," McCullers said.
The Astros said they've notified the Houston Police Department and MLB security about the threats.
"It's very unfortunate that we have to deal with this," Astros manager Joe Espada said. "After all he's done for this city, this team, the fact that we have to talk about that in my office, I got kids, too. It really drives me nuts. It's very sad. Very, very sad."
McCullers missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons after undergoing surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm.
The 31-year-old has spent his entire eight-year career with the Astros, winning two World Series titles and making an All-Star Game in 2017.