Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler faces death threats ahead of his first start at Fenway Park against the Red Sox. The 25-year-old has a 1.95 ERA this season and expects a hostile reception from fans.
Key points
Cam Schlittler is a Yankees pitcher from Walpole, Massachusetts.
He has received death threats prior to his start at Fenway Park.
Schlittler has a 1.95 ERA in five starts this season.
He expects a hostile reception from Red Sox fans.
Mentioned in this story
Fenway ParkWalpole, Massachusetts
Cam SchlittlerNew York YankeesBoston Red Sox
Cam Schlittler vs. Boston is a beef that just won't die. And the New York Yankees right-hander from Walpole, Massachusetts is ready to steer into it when he makes his first career start at Fenway Park.
Schlittler, the Yankees' 25-year-old fireballer who emerged as a playoff hero last season and a rotation mainstay this year, told news media that he and his family have received death threats prior to his scheduled start on Thursday, April 23.
Schlittler, who attended Northeastern and has a 1.95 ERA in five starts this season, is expecting a very rude welcome at Fenway Park, the latest twist in a saga of Area Man Gets Drafted By Hated Rival.
"Most normal fans could care less, right?," Schlittler told the New York Post. "It’s just those diehards that just have nothing else in their lives other than baseball or sports that really care about this, and the fact that I play for the Yankees makes it worse for them."
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
Q&A
Why has Cam Schlittler received death threats from Red Sox fans?
Cam Schlittler received death threats due to his affiliation with the Yankees, a team that Red Sox fans traditionally dislike.
What is Cam Schlittler's ERA this season?
Cam Schlittler has a 1.95 ERA in five starts this season.
When is Cam Schlittler's first career start at Fenway Park?
Cam Schlittler's first career start at Fenway Park is scheduled for Thursday, April 23.
What did Cam Schlittler say about the rivalry with Red Sox fans?
Cam Schlittler remarked that diehard fans are particularly invested in the rivalry, stating that their obsession with baseball intensifies their reactions to him playing for the Yankees.
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Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
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Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
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1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
2 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
3 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
4 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
5 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
6 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
7 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
8 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
9 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
10 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
11 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
12 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
13 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
14 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
15 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
16 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
17 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
18 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
19 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
20 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
21 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
The Schlittler-Boston feud jumped off in earnest in October, when he dominated the Red Sox in a winner-take-all Game 3 in the AL wild-card series at Yankee Stadium, striking out 12 over eight shutout innings. As the champagne flew in the Yankees' clubhouse, Schlittler revealed the extent he'd been beefing with Red Sox fans leading up to the start.
"I didn’t like some of the things they said today," Schlittler said after Game 3. "I'm not going to get into it, but there’s a line I think they crossed a little bit. Again, I’m a competitor and I’m going to go out there and make sure I shut them down.
"We’re aggressive back home and we’re going to try to get under people’s skins. They just picked the wrong guy to do it to. And the wrong team to do it to."
Cam Schlittler struck out 12 Red Sox over eight innings of Game 3 in the wild card series at Yankee Stadium. He'll make his first start at Fenway Park Thursday, April 23.
Cam Schlittler struck out 12 Red Sox over eight innings of Game 3 in the wild card series at Yankee Stadium. He'll make his first start at Fenway Park Thursday, April 23.
Schlittler later tweeted, "Drinkin' dat dirty water," a reference to the Red Sox's victory song. A month later, he peacefully attended a Boston Bruins game at TD Garden, showing he still has some allegiance toward New England.
Come Thursday, though, it's business as usual.
"(You’d) think after last time," he told The Athletic, "how much they were talking before, that they might be trying to quiet it down a little bit."
