Rodon family faces vile online abuse after Yankees’ ALDS loss

When Carlos Rodon was asked about the harassment, he expressed his frustration and said that it does not reflect the true nature of Yankees fans. While he understood fans’ disappointment with the game, he reminded them that players are people too, called for perspective and condemned any threats against families.

“People are pretty disgusting sometimes,” the pitcher said of threats after the game. “But that doesn’t explain Yankee fans. I don’t think they are. I understand that (the fans) are frustrated with the game, but my message to the fans all around is: “We’re only human.” We’re not always perfect. … Let’s not forget that this is just a game and let’s not threaten people’s families.”

A bad day for Rodon in the Yankees’ loss

The abuse came after Rodon’s postseason debut for the Yankees, in which he allowed four runs in less than four innings. Despite a promising start in which he struck out three batters in just 12 pitches in the first inning, his performance declined later in the game. Rodon’s fiery energy early on, including enthusiastic celebrations after key goals, electrified the crowd, particularly as he cheered on Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino.

However, his momentum faded in the fourth inning after the Yankees took a 1-0 lead. Rodon struggled to find his slider and allowed four Royals to score, a shift that played a key role in the Yankees’ loss.

Carlos Rodon’s appearance in the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals was a game of two different halves. The New York Yankees pitcher opened strong and showed his control early, striking out four of the first seven batters and striking out six. Even after giving up two hits in the third inning, Rodon skillfully navigated his way out of trouble.

But things quickly went downhill in the fourth game. Rodon’s control, which had been strong in the first innings, faltered. Throws that were on target either missed the strike zone or landed in hitable spots, resulting in a costly sequence. Four of the six batters he faced scored as the Yankees’ offense struggled to get by against Royals starter Cole Ragans and the bullpen that followed.

The momentum changed when Salvador Perez tied the game 2-0 with a home run on a misplaced slider. Yuli Gurriel followed with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. Tommy Pham then drove it into the goal with a strike to right-center to give Kansas City the lead. Although Rodon struck out Hunter Renfroe and nearly escaped further damage, Garrett Hampson’s RBI single extended the lead to 3-1, effectively ending his night.

Reflecting on the game, Rodon expressed frustration with his lack of control, particularly his slider, and wished he had delivered a stronger performance. The disappointing performance was in sharp contrast to the way he finished the regular season, posting a 2.20 ERA in his final five starts.

Off the field, Rodon addressed the online harassment his family faced after the game. He acknowledged that public criticism comes with being a professional athlete and made it clear that threats against children are not acceptable under any circumstances.

“I could have done better with those pitches,” Rodon explained. “I wanted to be better. It’s part of business life. We get paid very well to play a game, but there is no place for people threatening harmless little children.”

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