Ballplayer Gets Death Threats After His Bunt Ends No-Hitter

Matt Lipka is being threatened for breaking one of baseball's unwritten rules

Minor leaguer Matt Lipka. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty)
Minor leaguer Matt Lipka. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

To break up a no-hitter, minor leaguer Matt Lipka broke one of baseball’s unwritten rules.

Now, in the latest example of traditionalist baseball fans overreacting to someone doing something they think violates the history of the game, the Trenton Thunder outfielder is getting death threats.

According to a source with knowledge of the Thunder organization, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, Lipka received death threats on social media after bunting during a game on Tuesday to break up a no-hitter which was being thrown by the pitching staff of the Hartford Yard Goats.

Per the source, the Yankees are aware of the death threats and are investigating them.

Here’s the no-hitter-busting bunt.

The Goats, who were only leading by three runs at the time of the bunt and still could have theoretically lost (justifying the bunt), were clearly angry with Lipka and benches cleared following the game.

Goats starter Rico Garcia, who threw six no-hit innings during the game, said “emotions were high after.”

A minor leaguer since 2010, 27-year-old Lipka is hitting .235 with three home runs, 15 RBI and nine stolen bases this season in 35 games this season.

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