Some Boston Red Sox Players Are Receiving Death Threats

Professional sports have always been a bit over the top. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in competition can generate raw emotion, and combined with a bit of testosterone and a few Modelo Especials – well, almost anything can happen.

The idea of a couple of fans slugging it out after a Boston Red Sox game is not far-fetched, especially if the game takes place in the Bronx. We've even seen players pelted with things like batteries while playing there.

The one that always gets me is watching fans tear apart their city after their team wins a championship. I don't get that one. That's like running around and breaking all the windows in your house. Where is the logic?

I was shocked, though, by a recent headline I spotted on Breitbart: "Fan Threatens to Murder Red Sox Pitcher's Dog After Loss to Yankees."

Fan Threats Cross the Line After Losses

Breitbart reported, "A deranged fan threatened to kill the dog of Red Sox pitcher Dustin May in response to a social media post by the pitcher's wife."

May's wife reportedly posted a picture of the couple's dog on Instagram that attracted a lunatic with the account name @dustinmaywilldie, who responded, "I'll cook this dog for dinner."

The troublesome post response, posted on August 24, came after May gave up five runs in Boston's loss to New York.

"The menacing message toward May and his pet marks only the most recent example of a disturbing trend in which Red Sox players have faced death threats or threats of harm after losses," according to Breitbart.

Get our free mobile app

Sports Betting’s Role in Player Harassment

The New York Post reported Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito believes sports betting has a lot to do with it.

Appearing on the podcast Baseball Isn't Boring, Giolito said he took his concern to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

"I asked him about something that has been on my mind this year that's been a little worrisome for me with the rise of sports betting – the access that exists now with social media and everything," Giolito told the podcast.

"The threats when a player doesn't perform well – threats to their family, threats to their life – it's getting very tiring. I worry for the guys that are maybe new to the league and aren't ready for something like that," he said.