Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Tayler Saucedo shared a death threat that he received to social media after he struggled in the team’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The incident, which occurred during the bottom of the seventh inning, highlighted the intense pressure athletes face and the disturbing trend of online harassment. Saucedo, 32, entered the game with the Mariners trailing 3-2 and recorded only one out, allowing five runs on four hits, a walk, and a hit batter. The Phillies extended their lead to 8-2 when he was removed.
Following the game, Sauced, who struggled this season with a 5.14 ERA in seven innings, shared a vile Instagram message he received from a Mariners fan. The message, which he re-posted to his Instagram Stories, included threats of violence not only toward him but also his girlfriend, Kelsie Scott. The fan, @gilbertgoonsquad, wrote, “@saucey07 I hope your f—— head gets blown off to pieces walking in Philly you ugly autistic piece of s—,” adding, “Your c— wife/gf dying too would be awesome as well.”
Saucedo also took to X to denounce the threats, expressing his disappointment with his performance and the harsh treatment he and his girlfriend received. “I understand wanting me gone after today and this year as a whole. Nobody is more disappointed with how this year has gone for me than myself. Trust me, I want to win just as much as all of you whether I’m here or not,” he wrote. He emphasized that the harassment goes beyond baseball, urging fans to reflect on their actions.
Saucedo’s girlfriend, Kelsie Scott, also spoke out, warning about the real harm such messages can cause. She noted that they received even more graphic threats than the one he posted and suggested that the harassment might come from gamblers. “We got messages far more graphic than the one he shared that I just don’t find appropriate to share here. A lot of people have mentioned that those people are most likely gamblers, and you are 100% correct,” she wrote. She also stressed that hate has no place in their lives and urged fans to respect athletes and their loved ones.
Meanwhile, the broader issue of online harassment in sports continues to gain attention, with incidents like Saucedo’s raising questions about the role of social media in shaping fan behavior and the need for accountability. The case also underscores the challenges faced by athletes dealing with mental health pressures, as highlighted by Kelsie Scott’s comments about the impact of such threats on their lives.