One of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 2025 season for the Yankees has definitely been Cam Schlittler. Notably, with the starting rotation struggling in Gerrit Cole’s absence and the bullpen led by Luke Weaver and Devin Williams blowing up far too many games, Schlittler’s debut felt like a breath of fresh air! He notably finished his rookie campaign with an impressive 2.96 ERA and 84 SOs in 73 innings. Thus, quickly became a fan favorite.

But what really made Schlittler stand out wasn’t just his numbers but also his personality. He became known for his fiery attitude and constant roasting of the Red Sox, backing it up every time he faced them. However, now it comes as a surprise as he suddenly flipped the script, softening his stance toward Boston in a complete U-turn from his earlier jabs!!!

“Anyone who knows me knows how highly I speak of Boston and how much I love the city. I knew how I’d be received from the start of that game, but I didn’t expect people from the area where I grew up to attack my family…. New York and Boston are both part of who I am, and I’m fortunate to continue growing as a player connected to two great cities.” A few snapshots from a long message shared by Schlittler via X.

Remember Game 3 of the Wild Card Series? Aaron Boone pulled Schlittler after eight innings and 107 pitches. But honestly, it looked like he could’ve gone back out there, started the game all over again, and still dominated the Red Sox. For two straight hours, he was unleashing pure, rage-fueled fastballs. And even after all that, he still had that electric, revenge-driven energy buzzing through him.

And later that night, the Yankees’ rookie again took on the Red Sox fans. He couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at Red Sox Nation, posting, “Drinking that dirty water”.  For the unversed, that’s a not-so-subtle dig at Boston’s famous slogan.

What stood out, though, was what Schlittler didn’t do. Unlike some Boston fans before Game 3, he didn’t cross any lines or bring anyone’s family into it. As he put it at the time, “They just picked the wrong guy to do it to — and the wrong team to do it to as well.”

Since then, Schlittler has noticeably cooled down his trash talk toward Boston. And we think that might have something to do with his roots. He grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts, and played college ball at Northeastern University before getting drafted by the Yankees. However, while rivalries are part of the game, dragging players’ families into the mix is highly condemnable, no matter which team you root for.

The Yankees star with Red Sox roots

The Yankees–Red Sox rivalry has always been about pride and passion. Players like Roger Clemens, Johnny Damon, and Jacoby Ellsbury once crossed that line, stirring strong feelings on both sides. Now Cam Schlittler adds a new twist—a kid from Massachusetts shining for the Yankees.

“I would say growing up in Boston, I take pride in being from Boston… When it came to my career and where I want to be, this is where I want to be. [My family is] full Yankee guys now,” Schlittler said back in October.

Imagine a kid who grew up just 20 miles from Fenway Park ends up being the one to knock the Red Sox out of the postseason!!! That’s exactly what happened with Cam Schlittler. Raised in a die-hard Red Sox household, he’s now all-in on the Yankees. And even says he’s converted his family to join him in wearing pinstripes.

It’s a wild twist, really…

Still, Schlittler made it clear he’s proud of where he’s from. He’s just representing New York now, and he’s fully embraced being a Yankee. Unsurprisingly, that hasn’t gone down too well with Red Sox fans.

Now, given the long and fiery history of the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry, Schlittler’s story adds a whole new layer to it, maybe even one of the most fascinating in recent memory. But as much as rivalries fuel the passion of the game, there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed. Taking shots at a player’s family isn’t part of baseball. And no amount of team pride can ever make that okay.