Cam Schlittler has made a tremendous impact for the New York Yankees’ rotation since making his MLB debut last year. The Massachusetts-born pitcher also delivered a legendary postseason performance against arch-rivals the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees are currently in a four-game series on the road against the Red Sox, with Schlittler taking the mound in Game 4 on Friday.
Earlier this week, Cam Schlittler revealed he received death threats on the internet before the New York Yankees arrived for their series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Aaron Boone, the Yankees manager, asked the 25-year-old right-hander to cut down his social media interactions. Schlittler can see the reasons behind the advice from Boone.
“The goal is to win a championship, and whatever I can do to help the team win is exactly what I’m looking to do. But I don’t think I’m going to get there by messing around with people on social media,” he said, as per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Born in Walpole, Massachusetts, Schlittler was a Red Sox fan growing up. His parents currently reside in Needham, where his father is the chief of police.
Just The People Online: Cam Schlittler On Being A Target For Hate From Red Sox Fans
Despite receiving hateful messages online after becoming a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees, Cam Schlittler admitted his real-life interactions with the Boston Red Sox fans have been quite the opposite. He spent three months during the offseason in Massachusetts and played catch at Northeastern University on Mondays.
“I wasn’t sure how the interactions were going to be at first, but they were great,” Schlittler said. “When I was out with my friends, people were very respectful, and I had no issues in the offseason. It gives you some good feeling that it’s really just the people online that aren’t respectful.”
Schlittler was the starting pitcher for the Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Red Sox. After getting into a feud with Red Sox fans on social media, Schlittler responded with eight scoreless innings despite giving up five hits while racking up 12 strikeouts.
