The family of Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tanner Scott has been subjected to death threats and disturbing messages following a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, prompting his wife to speak out about the harassment on social media.
The incident occurred after Scott entered the game in the eighth inning with the Dodgers holding a 3-1 lead. The relief pitcher surrendered three earned runs, resulting in a 4-3 defeat for Los Angeles. What followed was a barrage of threatening and hateful messages directed at his family.
Scott's wife, Maddie, shared screenshots of the disturbing communications she received from individuals claiming to be baseball fans. Among the messages was one threatening violence against the family, with one user writing threats including the phrase "gun shot your family tonight."
In her social media post, Maddie questioned how the situation had deteriorated to such a level. "When did it stop being a game?" she wrote, sharing her perspective on the harassment. "I don't speak out often. Ever actually. I promise you, you don't know what it's like unless you're living it."
The threats extended beyond the couple to include their children. Maddie posted additional screenshots showing messages from users wishing death upon their young son, as well as their unborn child. The family welcomed their first son in 2023 and is expecting their second child this fall.
Maddie described the situation as "the unfortunate reality" in a follow-up post that included graphic details of the threats against her family. The messages contained explicit wishes for harm to come to both of their children.
The 31-year-old Scott joined the Dodgers organization in 2025 after signing a four-year contract worth $72 million. The left-handed reliever has been a key component of the team's bullpen strategy this season.
This incident highlights a disturbing trend in professional sports where athletes and their families face harassment and threats from individuals who cross the line from passionate fandom into criminal behavior. The threats against the Scott family represent a serious escalation that goes far beyond acceptable criticism of athletic performance.
Such behavior has no place in sports or society at large. Athletes are professionals performing their jobs, and poor performance on the field never justifies threats of violence against them or their loved ones. The safety and well-being of players and their families must be protected, and those who issue such threats should face appropriate legal consequences.
