While the majority of Washington Nationals fans kept a positive Natitude after the team's stunning, come-from-ahead 9-7 defeat to the St. Louis in Game 5 of the NLDS, there was unfortunately a vocal minority that vented its frustrations against closer Drew Storen on Twitter.

After surrendering four runs to the Cardinals for a blown save in the ninth inning, Storen's mentions on Twitter included several vulgar insults and even a handful of death threats.

While there were far more fans telling Storen to "keep your head up" and expressing their continued confidence in him, it was the negative voices who generated the most attention.


Michael Schlact
Literally disgusted at the things being tweeted at . The kid is a class act. Baseball is a game & athletes are real people. Sad.


Amy K. Nelson
Reason No. 5 billion hate covering sports sometimes: death threats, speaking as someone whose had em. NO ONE deserves that, esp Drew Storen

Unlike those who attacked Storen anonymously on Twitter, Storen showed tremendous professionalism after the Nationals' season-ending loss, addressing reporters about the game.

“We had it right there, and the most disappointing thing I’ll say is that I just let these guys down,” Storen told reporters after the game, via The Washington Post. “I know there’s an unbelievable crowd and unbelievable support, but for the amount of adversity we dealt with this year, for it to come down to that was kind of tough.”

While some of those attacking Storen via social media are likely just looking for attention, this is not the first time that an athlete has been targeted on Twitter. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kyle Williams was the subject of death threats after he lost a fumble in a loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. Similarly, C.J. Watson drew death threats after committing what was widely viewed as a mental error as the Chicago Bulls lost in the NBA playoffs.

WARNING: Unedited Tweets Contain Strong Language


Natty
How acceptable would it be to kill Drew Storen?


chris
STOREN I WILL FIND YOU AND I WILL KILL YOU


Edras Mendoza
You are a piece of trash!!!!!!!! Go kill yourself!!!!!!


Truth Teller
you not only let your teammates down but also the city of DC. Way to fuck up on the biggest stage you bum!

One disgruntled fan went as far as to create a @Die_storen Twitter account and fired off a sequence of hateful messages.


Ben D
DC hates you. You should either coach a t-ball team, or kill yourself. Your pick...

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  • Bryce Harper, David Freese

    Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper, back, slides into third base for a triple as the throw goes wide of St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Bryce Harper, Yadier Molina

    Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper heads for the dugout after scoring on a home run by Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington. At left is Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

  • Ryan Zimmerman

    Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman watches his two-run home run in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Adam LaRoche, Michael Morse

    Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, center, high-fives teammates Adam LaRoche, left, Michael Morse and Bryce Harper after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington. Harper scored on the homer.

  • Bryce Harper, Yadier Molina

    Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper, right, reacts after crossing home plate on a solo home run, next to St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina in the third inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • David Freese, Mike Matheny, Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright

    St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, left, walks off the field after being relieved in the third inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the Washington Nationals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington. At right are St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, catcher Yadier Molina and third baseman David Freese.

  • Adam Wainwright

    St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright stands in the dugout after being relieved in the third inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the Washington Nationals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Michael Morse

    Washington Nationals' Michael Morse watches his two-run home run in the third inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series†against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Allen Craig

    St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran, right, jogs across home plate for a run on a double by Matt Holliday as Allen Craig looks on in the fourth inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Bryce Harper

    Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper heads home on a home run by Ryan Zimmerman during the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Gio Gonzalez

    Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Gio Gonzalez

    Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez throws to the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Gio Gonzalez

    Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Gio Gonzalez

    Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Bryce Harper

    Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper reacts after scoring on a home run by Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Adam Wainwright

    St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Adam Wainwright

    St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Daniel Descalso

    St. Louis Cardinals' Daniel Descalso reacts after striking out in the second inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the Washington Nationals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Danny Espinosa, David Freese

    Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa, left, holds up his glove with the ball after tagging out St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese on a steal attempt in the second inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche

    Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper, right, low-fives Adam LaRoche after scoring on a home run by Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche, Yadier Molina

    Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, bottom right, high-fivesAdam LaRoche near St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Bryce Harper

    Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper watches his solo home run in the third inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.

  • Adam Wainwright

    St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright walks off the field after being relieved in the third inning of Game 5 of the National League division baseball series against the Washington Nationals on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, in Washington.