Cam Schlittler is making it clear: he doesn’t just pitch for the New York Yankees — he embraces the role of villain. And after what he said about Toronto Blue Jays fans ahead of Saturday’s game, and then how he performed, he might as well have sewn a bull’s-eye on his own jersey.
The 25-year-old right-hander didn’t hold back when asked about the Blue Jays faithful before his start. According to SportsNet, Schlittler acknowledged Toronto fans are passionate — but that’s about where the compliments ended.
“The fans don’t like us. The fans don’t like me. They’re easy to rage-bait,” Schlittler said. “All the stuff last year in the playoffs or whatever it is – They’ve got a whole country behind them, so there’s a lot. They’re passionate about it. You respect them for that, but I don’t really like them. They ended our season last year. I hope everyone’s got that chip on their shoulder.”
That last line is the hook: Toronto eliminated the Yankees in last year’s postseason, and Schlittler clearly hasn’t forgotten. It’s the kind of comments that usually end up on a bulletin board — except this time, the guy doing the talking backed it up.
On Saturday, Schlittler threw seven innings, surrendered just one run, struck out seven, and led the Yankees to a 3-1 win. Yes, he walked four and gave up six hits, but when you’re facing a division rival and you just called out their fanbase, results matter. He delivered.
Entering the game, Schlittler already owned a 1.82 ERA — third-best in the majors — along with 96 strikeouts and a 7-3 record. That’s not a hot streak. That’s a statement season. Now he’s added a personal rivalry with an entire fanbase to his resume.
The Yankees sit at 42-27, good for first in the AL East. They’ll face the Blue Jays again Sunday to close out the series. But the real storyline now is Schlittler: the rookie who doesn’t just talk — he throws. And if you’re a Blue Jays fan, he’s made it clear he’s not looking for your approval.
He’s looking for wins. And he’s getting them.
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