Red Sox Pitcher Liam Hendriks Slams Fans Who Wished He Died

Published: May 22, 2025

Liam Hendriks, the 36-year-old Australian athlete, is speaking out against the horrible and cruel threats he has received, including death threats and wishes that he died from cancer.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, May 22, Hendriks wrote, "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."

Hendriks, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in January 2023, underwent immunotherapy and chemotherapy before returning to playing baseball later that year.

Despite his emotional comeback, Hendriks had to undergo Tommy John surgery a few months later and missed the rest of the season. In February 2024, the Red Sox signed him to a two-year $10 million contract, but he spent most of the season on the injured list.

On Wednesday, before the series finale against the New York Mets, Hendriks questioned his role with the team, telling The Boston Globe that how he was being used as a reliever had "no rhyme or reason."

Hendriks got his chance in the sixth inning, but after striking out two batters, he gave up three hits in the seventh and was pulled from the game.

As for the online hate, Hendriks summed up his feelings this way on Thursday: "I think I speak for all players who have to deal with this in their career when I say enough is enough."

Hendriks is not the only MLB player to receive threats this season. Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. said he and his family received death threats in response to a poor pitching performance on Saturday, May 10.

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