Blown bullpen loses are never fun for anyone involved, but they are never to the level of life or death, especially in the month of May. While fans have always let players hear their displeasure at the outcome of the game, gambling and social media have unfortunately taken things to a different level.
Saturday, Tanner Scott came in to protect a two-run lead against the Philadelphia Phillies, and allowed a three-run homer, which ultimately gave the Phillies the win. On Sunday, Tanner’s wife Maddie Scott shared the messages she got, per Christian Orozco of the New York Post:
“When did it stop being a game?” Maddie wrote on her Instagram Story in response to a message from a user who said “gun shot your family tonight.”
“I don’t speak out often. Ever actually,” she said. “I promise you, you don’t know what it’s like unless you’re living it.”
Some of the messages got even more disturbingly graphic, with threats made not only to Tanner and Maddie, but also to their newborn son.
Social media allows fans to connect to each other and to players, but the dark side is the worst of humanity also come out via that medium. Steve Henson of the L.A. Times adds some additional thoughts on the why, here.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic has some news and notes on all things Dodgers, including this fun quote from Ryan Ward after his first major league home run –
“I’m probably going to smell for a little bit,” Ward said. “It was all over the place.”
That is in reference to the celebration in the clubhouse after the game on Sunday, which included alcohol and condiments, apparently.
The win on Sunday also gave manager Dave Roberts a birthday win.
The article also highlights the changes Roki Sasaki has made that are helping him to improve as a pitcher, and regain his fastball.
“It feels like it’s all put together right now,” Sasaki said Saturday through interpreter Kensuke Okubo.
By working with strength coach Travis Smith, Sasaki has filled out his frame and the team is seeing a return to the pitcher that Sasaki was in Japan.
“I think early this season, after every throw, he was looking at the radar gun to see what the velocity was,” Roberts said. “Now, there’s just a confidence that the throw is good, the feel is good, and that’s his validation”
Ardaya also has some notes on how Kyle Tucker might finally be coming out of his funk at the plate.
