Astros’ Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Adds Security To Protect His Family After Receiving Death Threats

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by James Van WicklerJune 11, 2025, 1:17 am >

After a tough start by Lance McCullers Jr., the Astros pitcher’s family has received death threats online, which led to a conversation that no parent wants to have with their 5-year-old daughter.

McCuller’s daughter, Ava, overheard his wife, Kara, talking on the phone about the death threats, which led to the painful conversation.

“She asked me when I came home: ‘Daddy, like, what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?'” McCullers told reporters. “So those conversations are tough to deal with.”

McCullers is one of two MLB pitchers whose families received online death threats this month, as Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks took to social media soon after the incident with McCullers to call out people who were threatening Hendriks’ wife’s life and directing “vile” comments at him.

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The Houston Astros contacted MLB security and the Houston police Department following the threats to McCullers.

McCullers took immediate action after the threats that were made toward his family, as he reached out to the team to inquire about what could be done to protect them. Astros’ owner Jim Crane stepped in and hired 24-hour security for McCuller’s family.

Players around the league agree that online abuse has gotten worse over the years. Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich said receiving online abuse is “a nightly thing” for most players.

“I think over the last few years it’s definitely increased,” he said to ESPN. “It’s increased to the point that you’re just: ‘All right, here we go.’ It doesn’t even really register on your radar anymore. I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing. You’re just so used to that on a day-to-day, night-to-night basis. It’s not just me. It’s everybody in here, based on performance.”

Many players believe that it’s directly linked to the rise of legalized sports betting.

“You get a lot of DMs or stuff like that about you running someone’s bet or something ridiculous like that,” veteran Red Sox reliever Justin Wilson said to ESPN. I guess they should make better bets.”