Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
Social media has given sports fans access to athletes and the games they love more than at any other point in history. That same access has also given some fans a warped sense of entitlement that often crosses a line in the form of disgusting, threatening, and, in some cases, criminal, comments towards those athletes.
The latest professional athlete to be subject to this vile behavior from fans is Seattle Mariners pitcher Tayler Saucedo. The 32-year-old, who has carved out a decent little career for himself after being drafted in the 21st round of the 2015 MLB Draft, was the subject of numerous online threats this week after allowing five runs in the Mariners’ 11 to 2 loss to the Phillies on Wednesday.
“I understand wanting me gone after today and this year as a whole,” Saucedo wrote on X (Twitter). “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. But messaging me this bull—- and my girlfriend and sending this stuff is beyond baseball. It’s insane how comfortable people are sending this stuff to not only me but my partner. Tell me I suck all you want that’s fine but at some point we gotta get a grip.”
He also shared a screenshot of a couple of the messages he received.
@tsauce7
Tayler Saucedo’s girlfriend speaks out
Tayler Saucedo’s girlfriend also commented on the “absolutely disgusting” remarks that were directed at him by fans on her Instagram Story.
“Friendly reminder that athletes are human beings and have real mental health. Absolutely disgusting what so many of you feel comfortable saying when you’ve never lived under the daily pressure they do,” she wrote. “This is never Ok under any circumstance and I hope these words never find someone who can’t handle them. I love you @saucey07.”
She also added that the comments from some fans that he didn’t share were “far more graphic” and that each one of them were related to gambling.
“A lot of people have mentioned that those people are most likely gamblers and you are 100% correct,” she wrote. “Each vile message contain reasoning of losing money based on the game. All I can say is – maybe stop gambling money you don’t have to lose. Taylor is not a character on your TV, he is a human being and he is by far the most accountable one I know.
“He wears every mistake and every loss and is never satisfied even on his best days. The last things he needs is to come back to hundreds of threats and evil messages. Nor do his teammates or opponents as this is sadly just a part of the territory.”
What can be done?
Former Mariners star Mike Cameron offered his support, writing, “Sauce do me a favor and turn off your responses and focus on baseball .. you already know how people being fanatics will be .. report they butts to MLB and keep it moving brother! I commend you guys for being able to play in this social media era.. cause I would keep a pack of wolves wit me.”
Saucedo wrote back in response to Cameron and others, “I see a lot of people saying turn off notifications but I’d like to say this, I keep them partially open because I like interacting with fans. Today was an example of going too far. No matter the reason we cannot send this stuff especially to people not involved. I share the same exact love you all do for the Mariners. Ever since I was kid it’s the only team I’ve ever loved.
“I totally understand that there is more good people on the internet then there is bad and if I’m ready to receive the praise then I better welcome the criticism as well. So I won’t run from the critics that’s part of it and if I don’t like it then well I just have to play better. I didn’t get to where I am today because I only reveled in praise but because I got real comfortable with failure. I won’t let a few bad apples ruin that for me and everyone else I’ve gotten to know since my time here. I’ve already played 9 innings with my mental health and won that, so there’s nothing people can tell me that I’ve already told myself. With anything we keep it moving forward! Thank you all for the love as always. Go Mariners always!”
Sadly, Tayler Saucedo now joins other MLB players like Francisco Lindor, Ketel Marte, Carlos Rodon, Liam Hendricks, Lance McCullers, Jr., and their families in wondering what can be done to stop this sort of fan behavior.