Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler receives threats before Boston start
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler has revealed that he and his family have received death threats ahead of his Fenway Park debut against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.
The Massachusetts native grew up supporting Boston in Walpole, located just 40 miles away from the iconic stadium.
However, his association with the Bronx Bombers has made him a target for severe online abuse from his former fanbase.
Speaking to the New York Post, the American admitted he has not yet felt the need to involve the police despite the severity of the messages.
“Most normal fans could care less, right? 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,” he explained.
Preparing for a hostile reception
The visiting player anticipates a highly aggressive atmosphere when he finally takes the mound.
He suggested that hostile supporters might attempt to throw objects or physically reach him near the bullpen.
“It’s gonna be bad, it’s gonna be bad. I’m not nervous about it, but it’s gonna be loud,” he added.
“That’s kind of what I expect. So I know the guys are excited for it and I’m excited for it.”
A bitter postseason history
This vitriol is firmly rooted in last season’s American League Wild Card Series, where the dominant hurler eliminated his boyhood club.
He delivered a spectacular performance in Game 3, throwing eight scoreless innings and striking out 12 batters to end Boston’s campaign.
The standout talent has carried that exceptional form into the current season, boasting a 2-1 record alongside a stellar 1.95 earned run average.
Following that pivotal playoff victory last year, the Yankees star described the triumph as personal due to earlier familial harassment.
“There’s a line and I think they crossed it a little bit. I’m a competitor, and I’m gonna go out there and make sure I shut them down,” he remarked at the time.
“You know Boston fans, that’s just how it is. We’re aggressive back home and we’re gonna try to get under people’s skin.”
Fuelling the rivalry
The highly-rated pitcher acknowledged to The Athletic that his previous post-match comments had only served to escalate the tension.
“[You’d] think after last time, how much they were talking before, that they might be trying to quiet it down a little bit,” he noted.
Despite the intense pressure and ongoing abuse, the resilient athlete remains entirely unapologetic about the situation.
“If you’re going to dish it out, you’re going to have to take it,” he concluded.
