Trey Yesavage has spoken out against fans who have been targeting his family and girlfriend with abuse during Major League Baseball’s post-season games. Yesavage, set to start as the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners, addressed the issue in a news conference on Sunday.
Expressing his disappointment at the negativity directed towards his loved ones due to his on-field performances, Yesavage emphasized that his family, girlfriend, and others close to him do not deserve to be attacked for his actions. The 22-year-old pitcher, who excelled in a previous game against the New York Yankees, striking out 11 batters over 5 1/3 innings, highlighted that the abusive messages have been distressing for his family, without specifying the source of the harassment.
Yesavage, acknowledging his responsibility to speak out, urged people to understand that his family and friends are not responsible for his on-field results. Despite not elaborating further and declining follow-up questions, Yesavage’s stance received praise from Blue Jays manager John Schneider, who commended the young pitcher for using his platform to address the issue.
Schneider, unaware of the abuse before Yesavage’s announcement, applauded the pitcher’s courage in standing up for his support system and loved ones, recognizing the unfortunate reality of such behavior in sports. Schneider emphasized the importance of Yesavage’s actions in defending those who care for and back him.