UPDATE: Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler has condemned Boston Red Sox fans for “crossing the line” by harassing his family, including his mother, on social media ahead of his historic playoff debut on October 5, 2023. This shocking behavior comes just as he prepares for a crucial start in the AL Wild Card Series.
Schlittler, a native of Walpole, Massachusetts, expressed his disappointment during a press conference at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, stating he anticipated some heckling but was unprepared for the overwhelming negativity directed at his family. “I think if it was a different fanbase coming at them, I’d probably be a little bit more OK with it. I think it just being Boston was a little bit more disappointing,” he said.
The rookie right-hander, only 24, turned that anger into fuel for an incredible performance on the mound. In his postseason debut, Schlittler made history by pitching at least eight scoreless innings with an impressive 12 strikeouts and zero walks, marking one of the best outings in MLB playoff history.
“I’m a competitive player. All they’re doing is feeding the fire,” Schlittler remarked. He noted that despite the harassment, he remained focused on his game plan, emphasizing the need to stay off social media. “I see it. I noticed it the other day. But at the end of the day, I’m going to go out there and just lock in even more. So, honestly, I can thank them as well for putting me in that position.”
After leading the Yankees to a 4-0 victory over the Red Sox, Schlittler reiterated the harassment was “personal” for him, revealing that family members and friends who are still Red Sox fans reached out with mixed emotions after his standout performance. “They’ll get over it. Hockey season is coming up, basketball season is coming up. So I’m sure they got other things to distract them,” he added.
Looking ahead, Schlittler is set to make his next appearance in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on October 11, 2023, if necessary. As tensions mount, all eyes will be on this young pitcher as he navigates the pressures of postseason baseball.
