Red Sox Star Reveals Harsh Fan Criticism After Shocking Playoff Loss

Boston sports fans are passionate, but they’re also notoriously tough to please. They hold their players to high standards and aren’t afraid to criticize them if their performance isn’t up to par.

Just ask Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock, who had a rough encounter with a fan after losing the AL Wild Card Series to the New York Yankees last fall.

According to a story Whitlock told to MassLive reporter Christopher Smith, Whitlock was getting coffee near his home in Boston when a fan recognized him.

“Great year, but man, couldn’t do it when it counted,” the disappointed fan told Whitlock.

Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock was getting coffee near his Boston home after the AL Wild Card Series and he said a fan told him to his face, “Great year but man, couldn’t do it when it counted.”
He took the loss in Game 2.

— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) February 13, 2026

Whitlock was one of the best relievers in baseball last year, going 7-3 with a 2.25 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 72 innings during the regular season. He struggled during his lone postseason appearance, however, taking the loss in Game 2 of the ALWC at Yankee Stadium.

With the game tied at 3-3, Whitlock entered the game in the seventh inning and tossed a scoreless frame. Alex Cora brought him back out for the bottom of the eighth, and after getting two outs, he shockingly unraveled.

Whitlock never got the third out, surrendering two walks and two singles. That allowed the Yankees to take the lead and win the game, evening the series at 1-1. The Red Sox lost Game 3 as well, becoming the first team in MLB history to lose a wild card series after winning the first game.

Whitlock wasn’t the only one to blame, however, as his teammates made multiple fielding and baserunning miscues. They also stopped hitting, getting shut out in Game 3.

Unfortunately for Whitlock, his final appearance of 2025 wasn’t his best, and some fans won’t let him forget it.