Red Sox Liam Hendriks Condemns Social Media Death Threats After Mets Loss

Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks received vile and threatening messages on social media following a poor performance against the New York Mets, where he gave up three runs in the seventh inning leading to a 5-1 loss. Hendriks condemned the threats against his and his wife's lives, calling the comments "disgusting and vile," and urged fans to reconsider their behavior instead of hiding behind anonymous accounts to attack players and their families. The 14-year MLB veteran, who battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2022 and returned to win the 2023 AL Comeback Player of the Year, expressed that such hostility goes beyond acceptable fan frustration and said "enough is enough." This is part of a troubling trend in MLB, as players like Astros pitcher Lance McCullers have also faced threats, prompting investigations. Hendriks' struggles this season include injury setbacks and a 5.56 ERA, but the backlash he received highlights the toxic side of fan interactions rather than the normal criticism that comes with poor performance. His message resonates with many players who have faced similar abuse, emphasizing the need for respect and decency in sports fandom.