Twins right-handed starting pitcher Bailey Ober said he received death threats on social media after allowing seven earned runs on six hits and six walks across 4 ⅔ innings in Minnesota’s 16-3 loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday, according to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes.
We published this story yesterday. #MNTwins pitcher Bailey Ober mentioned he received death threats via social media following today’s blowout loss. https://t.co/97yWKeQGuR
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 12, 2025
The fact that Ober, who has a career 3.85 ERA in 545 innings, received death threats after his third poor start of the season is absolutely inexcusable. Whether it was an upset fan or a sports gambler (which is more likely) who sent the horrible threats to Ober, it highlights major issues in sports culture today.
Fans and gamblers must realize that athletes are humans, just like the rest of us. Many people seem to have the idea that just because these athletes are living out their dreams and earning more money than they will see in their lifetime, it gives them the right to treat them inhumanely. Ober is known as a great person to people around him, as stated by Twins.TV’s Audra Martin. Even if Ober was not viewed as highly as he is, no one deserves to have their lives threatened over a sport.
Bailey Ober works his butt off, gives 110% and is a fantastic person on top of it! To hear him say he was getting threats completely broke my heart. He doesn't deserve it. No one does. https://t.co/HyErWP5RmY
— Audra Martin (@Audra_Martin) June 12, 2025
Bailey Ober’s horrible social media threats received from fans highlight major issues in modern sports culture
Athletes have the spotlight on them constantly, which can negatively affect their mental health. Hecklers have always been apparent in sports, but now, with the widespread legalization of sports betting, people have a much easier time gambling. With that comes more gambling addicts who place bets they cannot afford to make, and a lot of times, if an athlete someone bets on to perform well has a bad game, the gambler gets angry and blames the athlete.
According to a National Council on Problem Gambling study, 16% of online sports gamblers meet the clinical criteria for gambling disorder and another 13% show signs of gambling problems. The legalization of online gambling has led to these people having these issues, and athletes like Ober now have to suffer inhumane threats because of it.
Ober didn’t want to have a bad game. He tried his best to perform despite struggles with mechanics and a hip issue. People need to gamble more responsibly and recognize that athletes are human beings, too.