In his 11th season in the big leagues, New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón has faced the highs and lows of professional baseball. From the roar of the crowd after a dominant outing to the venomous messages flooding his social media, the three-time All-Star has seen it all. But when it comes to the darkest side of fandom—death threats aimed at him, his teammates, and even his family—Rodón is drawing a line in the sand.
“We’ll be fine,” Rodón told The Athletic with a steely resolve this week. “We’re big boys.” His words carry the weight of a veteran who’s weathered the storm of criticism and hostility, refusing to let the noise derail his focus.
The 32-year-old pitcher’s comments come in the wake of a disturbing incident last month when his wife, Ashley, took to social media to call out Instagram users who sent hateful and threatening messages following a Yankees loss to the Boston Red Sox. Some of the comments, reviewed by Athlon Sports, were chilling, explicitly wishing harm on Rodón and his loved ones. It’s a stark reminder of the toxic underbelly of sports fandom in the digital age.
Rodón isn’t alone in facing this ugliness. Earlier this season, Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks also reported receiving threatening messages after subpar performances. In June, Houston police identified an overseas bettor, allegedly intoxicated, as the source of threats against McCullers. The rise of online sports betting has only amplified the vitriol, with some fans lashing out when their wagers—such as strikeout parlays—don’t pan out.
Despite the hate, Rodón is thriving on the mound. Heading into the All-Star break, he’s enjoying his finest season in pinstripes, boasting a 10-6 record, a sparkling 3.08 ERA, and an impressive 135-41 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 119 2/3 innings. His 2.9 bWAR marks a career-high since joining the Yankees in 2023, and he ranks fourth among American League pitchers in strikeouts. This resurgence is a testament to Rodón’s resilience, both as a pitcher and as a person navigating the pressures of playing in the Bronx.
Rodón’s response to the threats is as much a statement of defiance as it is a call for perspective. In an era where athletes are expected to endure relentless scrutiny, he’s standing tall, reminding everyone that he and his teammates are more than just targets for misplaced anger. For every hateful message, there are fans who cheer his every pitch, and Rodón seems determined to keep his focus on the game he loves.
As the Yankees push toward the postseason, Rodón’s fiery spirit and unflappable demeanor could be the spark the team needs. One thing is clear: this ace isn’t backing down—not from hitters, and certainly not from the haters.