Houston Astro right -handed Lance McLeers Junior was rough on Saturday night when he and his family were threatened with death on social media.
McCullers started a domestic game against Cincinnati Reds, but was pulled in the first innings after scoring seven runs on three hits and three runs on 36 pitches. Reds scored 10 runs in inning and won 13–9.
“I think people are very emotional and people love Astro and Love Sports, but threatening to find my children to find and kill them,” said Micular.
He said, “There have been many, many threats to me over many years, and I think one or two of other issues around baseball had really had to go to jail for such things,” he said. “But I think they are going to bring children into the equation, threatening to find them or the next time they publicly see us, they are going to kill my children … as it is difficult to hear as a father.”
Macullers has spent his career with Astro and was part of the World Series Championship teams in 2017 and 2022. He recalled all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to hand issues and made his comeback against hosts Chicago White Socks last Sunday.
Pitching for the first time in a major league game since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, Macullers allowed three hits and three walks and recorded four strikeouts in a 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He did not see Chicago in the decision to lose 5-4.
His second outing, and first in Houston, was Saturday and “a difficult evening,” he said later.
“Obviously, you want to pitch well, but I think it is to keep your companions at that place outing,” said McCullars (0–1, 15.75 ERA). “I haven’t felt super comfortable super comfortable with the previous two outings with my pitches. Don’t know if it’s just time. I am not nervous, but perhaps I am not just growing in the way I am accustomed to moving forward.
“You know, you fail on a very big stage – a lot of eyes. And nowhere to hide. At the end of the day, I just want to do my work. I just want to be a good pitcher for Astro. And I am confident that I will reach there.”
The Astros manager who believes in Espada Macular, and he could not believe how some people reacted with threats of death.
Aspada said after the game, “… it is very unfortunate that Lance McCullers … that there are people who are threatening their lives and their children’s lives due to their performance tonight.” “It’s very unfortunate that we have to deal with this – finally it is for this city, for this team. …
“I have also found children. And it really makes me crazy that we have to deal with it. Very sad. Very, very sad.”
McCullers, son of former Major League Pitcher (1985–90, 1992), was an all-star in 2017 and was ranked seventh in the American League Cym Sai Young Award Voting in 2021.
In the 2012 MLB draft, Houston has the first round pick (41st), McCullers 49-33 with 3.55 ERA, 302 walks and 804 strikes with a 722 2/3 innings with 132 regular-season games (129 start) in the 722 2/3 innings.
“They have not picked in 2 1/2 year. We have got some time to give, everything is well?” Aspada said. “This can’t happen. I am really upset that this happened with athletes, and … you know, we are doing our best. Everyone is trying our best. But the fact is that I will go to my office and deal with it? Come on.
-Bield level media
