Cam Schlittler says death threats have been rolling in ahead of his first scheduled start at Fenway Park this Thursday, but the Yankees right-hander insists the ugly noise is not knocking him off his game. The 24-year-old, already a flashpoint after a dominant postseason outing against Boston last October, told reporters he is ready for whatever comes with New York’s visit and plans to treat it like any other start, with his attention locked on the mound.
Schlittler says he is being targeted
According to the New York Post, Schlittler said he has received “death threats” leading up to his Fenway debut and is bracing for a wild reception from Red Sox fans, including the possibility that people in the stands could try to grab or throw things at visiting players. He added that he “doesn’t care” that some Sox fans cannot stand him and that he is prepared to absorb the heat that comes with the rivalry.
No stranger to the Yankee-Red Sox crossfire
Schlittler, a Walpole, Mass., native who pitched at Northeastern, told reporters that members of his family were harassed online after last year’s playoff game, something he called “disappointing,” according to ESPN. His eight-inning, 12-strikeout performance that knocked Boston out of the postseason was detailed by the Associated Press and helped lock him into the lore of the rivalry.
Recent form and the Fenway assignment
As he builds toward this road test, Schlittler turned in a quality start against the Kansas City Royals on April 17, according to the game recap at CBS Sports. The Yankees are slated to visit Fenway from April 21 to 23, and early previews list Schlittler as the probable starter Thursday night, per the matchup outlook on Baseball-Reference.
Fenway’s intense, close-quarters stage
Fenway Park is one of baseball’s most intimate stages, with fans packed close to the field and a long reputation for loud, partisan crowds. MLB’s official ballpark guide notes that the setting can test visiting pitchers and security teams, especially when rivalries crank up. The club’s Fenway information also highlights security policies and protective netting details that teams monitor in high-tension series, a reminder that the park’s tight confines can magnify every shout and side-eye from the stands.
Whether the Fenway crowd pushes past the line again is an open question, but Schlittler says his priorities are simple: pitch and win. First pitch of the series is Thursday night, and whatever reception greets him, he told the Post he plans to answer it with what he does on the mound.
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