Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito has raised serious concerns about the safety of MLB players due to the rise of sports betting and associated social media harassment. The 31-year-old athlete revealed that he and his girlfriend have been subjected to angry online harassment, with threats directed at both himself and his family. Giolito recently met with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to bring attention to the issue, emphasizing that the growing accessibility of gambling and social media platforms has created a significant threat to players’ safety.
Giolito described how the threats often target athletes not only for their performance but also for minor aspects of their games, such as the timing of a strikeout or the placement of a pitch. He stated that these threats are often made by individuals who feel disgruntled after losing money on bets, which he likened to a ‘disease.’ Despite attempts to stay off social media, he acknowledges that the real danger remains, especially for newer players who may not be prepared for such harassment.
Giolito praised the commissioner for engaging directly with teams and players, noting the value of face-to-face discussions. However, he is not the first MLB player to raise these concerns, as recent reports highlighted similar threats faced by Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., who was recently targeted by an ‘inebriated’ bettor who made death threats on social media. The situation has led to increased security measures for McCullers and his family, underscoring the broader issue of how sports betting is impacting athlete safety.