Following the New York Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series, pitcher Carlos Rodon faced difficulties both on the mound and in his personal life. Rodon’s troubles during the game peaked in the fourth inning when his slider faltered, but the situation escalated off the field as his family became targets of online abuse.
Ashley Rodon, his wife, took to social media platform X to expose the hateful comments directed at their use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and their children.
When asked about the harassment, Carlos Rodon expressed his frustration, saying it didn’t reflect the true nature of Yankees fans. While understanding fans’ disappointment with the game, he reminded them that players are human, urging perspective and condemning any threats against families.
“People are pretty disgusting at times,’’ the pitcher said about post-game threats. “But that doesn’t explain Yankee fans. I don’t think that’s who they are. I understand [fans] get frustrated with the game, but my message to fans all around is, ‘We are human as well.’ We’re not always perfect. … Let’s not forget this is just a game and don’t threaten people’s families.”
A bad day for Rodon in Yankees defeat
The abuse came after Rodon’s postseason debut for the Yankees, where he allowed four runs in under four innings. Despite a promising start, striking out three batters in the first inning with just 12 pitches, his performance unraveled later in the game. Rodon’s fiery energy early on, including enthusiastic celebrations after key strikeouts, electrified the crowd, particularly when he fanned Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., and Vinnie Pasquantino.
However, his momentum stalled in the fourth inning after the Yankees had taken a 1-0 lead. Struggling to locate his slider, Rodon allowed four Royals to score, a shift that played a key role in the Yankees’ defeat.
Carlos Rodon’s outing in the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals was a game of two distinct halves. The New York Yankees pitcher opened strong, showcasing command early by striking out four and retiring six of the first seven batters. Even after giving up two hits in the third inning, Rodon skillfully navigated out of trouble.
But things quickly unraveled in the fourth. Rodon’s control, sharp in the early innings, began to waver. Pitches that had been on target either missed the strike zone or landed in hittable spots, leading to a costly sequence. Four of the six batters he faced scored, while the Yankees’ offense struggled to break through against Royals starter Cole Ragans and the bullpen that followed.
The momentum shifted when Salvador Perez tied the game with a home run off a mislocated 2-0 slider. Yuli Gurriel followed with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. Tommy Pham then drove him in with a hit to right-center, putting Kansas City ahead. Although Rodon struck out Hunter Renfroe and nearly escaped further damage, Garrett Hampson’s RBI single pushed the lead to 3-1, effectively ending his night.
Reflecting on the game, Rodon expressed frustration with his lack of command, particularly with his slider, wishing he had delivered a stronger performance. The disappointing outing contrasted sharply with the way he ended the regular season, posting a 2.20 ERA over his final five starts.
Off the field, Rodon addressed the online harassment his family endured after the game. Acknowledging that public criticism comes with being a professional athlete, he made it clear that threats aimed at children are unacceptable under any circumstances.
“I could’ve been better with those pitches,” Rodon explained. “I wanted to be better than that. It’s part of doing business. We get paid very well to play a game, but there’s no room for people threatening harmless little kids.”
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