Cam Schlittler is a real New Yorker now.
The Yankees’ promising young right-hander not only took in the Knicks’ season-opening win at MSG on Wednesday night, but the Boston-area native had a Bronx-style message for his hometown.
A fan getting an autograph from Schlittler while outside MSG in his car said, “F–k Boston” — and the pitcher enthusiastically responded, “Yeah, f–k Boston.”
The exchange was caught on video by a friend of the fan and quickly spread across social media.
Schlittler’s Boston ties — he grew up in the suburb of Walpole, Mass. — became a storyline during the Yankees’ wild-card triumph over the Red Sox.
In the deciding game, the 24-year-old threw eight brilliant innings, striking out 12 Red Sox on the Yankees’ way to a 4-0 win and a trip to the ALDS.
Schlittler told noti.group’s Jon Heyman he was motivated by “unhinged” Red Sox fans taunting his mom and family online.
“I’m sure that they’re upset,” Schlittler said. “I hope they are.”
Schlittler said he was particularly bothered by it, given that’s where his roots are.
“I think if it was a different fan base coming at them, I’d probably be a little bit more OK with it,” Schlittler said. “I think it just being Boston was a little bit more disappointing.”
Schlittler’s performance pushed him into Yankees postseason lore — even as the team was ushered out of the ALDS by the Blue Jays in four games.
Schlittler was one of the few bright spots for the Yankees in the series, pitching well in Game 4 despite it becoming a season-ending loss for the Yankees.
He now seems to be enjoying the perks that come with being a New York sports star, taking in the Knicks’ thrilling 119-111 win over the Cavaliers with teammates Aaron Judge and Devin Williams.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
