It starts with a pitch. A ball is going 95 miles per hour. And then, a 400-foot sky-high homer on that very pitch. A hush fell across the stands. You can almost hear your heart beating. That’s what MLB is all about. Baseball has long served as a safe haven for Americans, offering an escape through strategy and ritual under the summer sky. However, with the rise of sportsbooks and live betting, the stadium has transformed into a casino, and players are no longer just performers; they have become targets.
At first, it seems innocuous—shouts of excitement about strikeouts or hits. However, the situation is serious, and the backlash is growing. An anonymous survey by The Athletic revealed that over 130 current Major League players agree: MLB is changing, and not for the better. They have a fear in their voice.
One reliever anonymously said, “I get requests all the time on Venmo: ‘Thank you for making me lose $2,000 last night …’ I get threats: ‘I’m going to shoot you from my apartment. ‘I got three or four texts like that, and I had to report it to MLB security. I don’t know if it’s for real, but I don’t want to find out.” That scary disclosure wasn’t the only one.
Another experienced relief pitcher shared a frightening digital message. He said, “I’ve received (something) as simple as a Venmo request with a threat on it that says, ‘You owe me $9,000 because you blew the game – I need you to send me that money or I’m going to find your family.’ That’s too far.” The worry is real and getting worse. Players are afraid of getting hurt and getting in trouble because of all those threats. One player said this turmoil might worsen if MLB security doesn’t respond quickly.
Hitters aren’t safe either. With home run bets being the most popular in stadiums, players are constantly being yelled at when they come up to the plate and even more when they strike out.“It’s the worst thing that’s happened to the game since I’ve been up here,” claimed one veteran outfielder, who said that live betting makes things crazy.
Venmo payments, harassment through DMs, and threats from the stands are no longer one-time events. They’re becoming the norm. Threats have been made against whole families. Pitchers like Liam Hendriks and Lance McCullers Jr. have spoken out after receiving death threats against themselves and their families.
Death threats after poor outings in MLB
Lance McCullers Jr., the Houston Astros pitcher, and his family got death threats online early this season. This occurred after he gave a poor performance against the Cincinnati Reds. In 0.1 innings, he gave up 7 earned runs on 6 hits. The threats came from a bettor in another country who admitted to losing money, being drunk, and acting out of frustration. Even though he feels bad and has apologized, no formal charges have been filed yet. The inquiry is still open.
After the threats were confirmed, the Astros arranged 24-hour protection for McCullers and his children. Things got worse when his daughter heard what was happening and asked if she was safe. McCullers was relieved that the culprit wasn’t from the area. He said that the situation was “behind us” and expressed appreciation for the quick action of MLB and local officials.
Not long later, Liam Hendriks, a Boston Red Sox reliever, said that his wife had also been threatened after a poor game against the Queens. Hendriks was terrified by the incident and called the hateful words on social media “vile.” This led club security to increase protection for him and his family.
Recent incidents reveal a troubling trend: the rise of legalized sports betting and social media is increasing the likelihood of angry gamblers targeting athletes and their families. MLB teams, like the Astros and Red Sox, are enhancing security and notifying police about threats. It’s time that the league officials recognize the need for better protection against online harassment.
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