UPDATE: Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler has issued a powerful statement condemning Boston Red Sox fans for their aggressive harassment of his family members on social media ahead of his historic start in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series on October 5, 2023. The rookie pitcher described the fan behavior as having “crossed the line,” particularly targeting his mother.
Schlittler, a native of Walpole, Massachusetts, emphasized that while he anticipated some taunting from the rival fanbase, the level of vitriol directed at his family was unexpected. “I think if it was a different fanbase coming at them, I’d probably be a little bit more OK with it,” he stated during a press conference before the Yankees’ workout in Toronto ahead of their next matchup against the Blue Jays on Saturday.
The 24-year-old pitcher harnessed the anger from the harassment to deliver one of the most remarkable pitching performances in postseason history. In his playoff debut, Schlittler struck out an impressive 12 batters while throwing eight scoreless innings, making him the first pitcher to achieve at least 12 strikeouts and zero walks in a postseason game. He threw a career-high 107 pitches, with more than half reaching speeds of 98 mph.
“All they’re doing is feeding the fire,” Schlittler remarked, emphasizing the importance of staying focused despite the distractions. He acknowledged he was aware of the social media backlash but used it as motivation to perform at his best. Following the Yankees’ 4-0 victory, he described the harassment as “personal,” noting that family and friends who remain Red Sox fans reached out with mixed feelings of congratulations and disappointment.
“I told them that’s exactly what was gonna happen,” Schlittler said. “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.”
Looking ahead, Schlittler is set to make his next start in Game 4 of the ALDS in New York next Wednesday, should the series extend that far. Fans and commentators alike are eager to see if he can replicate his record-breaking performance in what is quickly becoming a memorable postseason run for the Yankees.
This incident highlights the intense rivalries in Major League Baseball and the emotional toll that fan behavior can take on players and their families. As Schlittler prepares for his next challenge, the spotlight remains on how he will handle the pressures of postseason play amid the backdrop of fierce fan dynamics.