New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón has had enough of the negativity directed at him from the public. As a seasoned MLB player, Rodón is used to hearing criticism, but recently, it has escalated to alarming levels. An investigation by Athlon Sports revealed that some comments aimed at him have included wishes for physical harm to both him and his family. His wife, Ashley, recently highlighted the hateful direct messages she received following a disappointing performance against the Boston Red Sox.
Despite the distressing nature of these comments, Rodón remains unfazed and views them as part of the sporting landscape. In an interview with The Athletic, he stated, “We’ll be fine. We’re big boys,” downplaying the threats and expressing that the taunts are just part of being in the spotlight.
The increase in targeted commentary is reportedly linked to the rise of sports betting, which became more permissible after the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision allowing states to regulate it. Influences from bettors unhappy with their wagers appear to amplify the vitriol directed at players when their performances do not align with the expected outcomes from bets. Brent Maguire of MLB.com previously reported a similar situation involving death threats aimed at Astros’ pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., pointing to a trend where player performance directly affects bettor sentiment.
In a contrasting viewpoint, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman advocated for greater empathy from fans. He encouraged supporters to remember that players have lives beyond the game and are doing their utmost to perform well. “At the end of our day, we’re people. We have lives outside of baseball. This is just our job,” Goodman remarked.
As discussions around the impact of sports betting continue, it’s clear that the culture surrounding it is evolving, prompting conversations about respect and the mental health of athletes. These comments remind us that behind the jerseys and stats, athletes are humans deserving of respect and understanding.
The ongoing dialogue in the sports community reflects a broader awareness of the emotional toll the game can take on players, especially in an increasingly connected world.