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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Boston Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks has already survived a battle against cancer, one that threatened to end more than just his baseball career.
A 5.56 ERA in 11 games this season isn't good, but you shouldn't need a cancer battle to put that in perspective. Hendriks, who only pitched five games the last two years because of the cancer treatments and the recovery from Tommy John surgery, needs sympathy more than another unwarranted test of his resilience.
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Unfortunately, Hendriks was compelled to issue a warning Thursday to to fans who have threatened his and his wife's life on social media.
TW: suicide
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra.bsky.social) 2025-05-22T15:52:18.015Z
"THREATS AGAINST MY LIFE AND MY WIFE'S LIFE ARE HORRIBLE AND CRUEL.
YOU NEED HELP.
LEAVING COMMENTS TELLING ME TO COMMIT SUICIDE AND HOW YOU WISH I DIED FROM CANCER IS DISGUSTING AND VILE.
MAYBE YOU SHOULD TAKE A STEP BACK AND REEVALUATE YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE BEFORE HIDING BEHIND A SCREEN ATTACKING PLAYERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WHETHER YOU DO IT FROM YOUR 'FAKE ACCOUNTS' OR ARE DUMB ENOUGH TO DO IT FROM YOUR REAL ACCOUNT.
I THINK I SPEAK FOR ALL PLAYERS WHO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS IN THEIR
CAREER WHEN I SAY:
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."
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This isn't an isolated incident.
Earlier this month, Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers returned to the mound following a 2-plus-year layoff while he recovered major arm surgery. After the Astros' May 10 game against the Cincinnati Reds, it was revealed McCullers and his family were the target of threats made on social media.
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Although he didn't explicitly describe any threats against him, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen wrote on his Twitter/X account in April: "Im about to get off this app. It truly is a dark and depressing place✌🏾. Let me go touch grass."
Hendriks is a veteran of 14 major league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Oakland A's, Chicago White Sox and Red Sox. He signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Red Sox in Feb. 2024.
The 36-year-old did not pitch last season while recovering from elbow surgery.
Hendriks is 33-35 with a 3.85 ERA and 116 saves in 487 career appearances. He led the American League in saves in 2021, with 38, and has made three All-Star teams in his career.
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