New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler said on April 22 that he is preparing for his first Major League start at Fenway Park, as the historic rivalry between the Yankees and Boston Red Sox renews. Schlittler, who grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts, spoke to reporters inside the visitors’ clubhouse about the intensity of playing in Boston and how it fuels his performance.
The longstanding competition between the two teams draws significant attention from fans and media alike. Schlittler described the atmosphere as “intense” and praised both cities for engaging their supporters during games. “The fans really get into it, especially between innings. It’s very similar to New York. They do a good job of keeping the game entertaining and having the fans be interactive,” he said.
Although new to Major League Baseball, Schlittler has already gained a reputation as a traditionalist on the mound. He noted that rivalries like this one can motivate players: “Some guys, I think that rivalry feeds them a little bit – like it does for me.” Growing up a Red Sox fan himself, he realized his dream of pitching at Fenway during a prospect showcase in 2020.
Schlittler’s previous encounters with Boston have not been without controversy. After eliminating Boston from postseason contention with a strong performance last year, he reported receiving negative messages online directed at him and his family. He told The New York Post that they have received “death threats” ahead of Thursday’s game but added that he is “not really concerned about it.” His father is chief of police in Needham, Massachusetts.
Despite online hostility, Schlittler said most personal interactions with local fans during offseason visits were positive: “When I was out with my friends, people were very respectful.” However, due to recent experiences online and off-field distractions related to social media use—something Yankees manager Aaron Boone has addressed—Schlittler plans to limit future time spent in Boston outside of baseball obligations.
