“I’ve always had a lot of confidence in myself, and that’s kind of how I’ve gotten to this point. Realistically, when you come into your first full season, do you think you’re going to do that? Maybe not, but you also have the confidence that you can do that.” -- Cam Schlittler after winning the 2026 American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday
Cam Schlittler is an admitted receipt-keeper, a Walpole, Mass., native who went from Red Sox die-hard to Red Sox killer. His journey to AL Cy Young Award winner includes a heel turn in the eyes of New England fans. Yet, he has thrived despite verbal and social media attacks on his high school girlfriend and his mother.
The former Walpole High and Northeastern University ace is the seventh New York Yankee to win the Cy Young. In his second Major League season, the power right-hander went 14-6 with an American League-best 1.95 ERA, striking out 239 batters against just 49 walks in 193 ⅔ innings (0.92 WHIP). Over the last two years, Schlittler has become a persona non grata for Red Sox fans. He engages with the most aggressive Boston fans on social media, and then inevitably shuts down the Red Sox on the field. In two postseason appearances against the Red Sox, he has pitched 14 ⅓ scoreless innings, allowing just seven hits and one walk while recording 22 strikeouts. The Yankees eliminated the Red Sox from the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
Walpole High coach Chris Costello and Northeastern coach Mike Glavine reflect on Schlittler's rise to the top pitcher in the American League.
