--- title: "Yankees rookies Rice and Schlittler: Boston’s betrayal in pinstripes" description: "Two New England kids who cheered Fenway now swing bats for the Bronx, aiming to silence the crowd that once roared for them." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/yankees-ben-rice-cam-schlittler-grew-up-in-red-sox-country-47f9dbff published: 2026-06-26T21:18:03+00:00 updated: 2026-06-26T21:18:03+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Yankees rookies Rice and Schlittler: Boston’s betrayal in pinstripes > Two New England kids who cheered Fenway now swing bats for the Bronx, aiming to silence the crowd that once roared for them. Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler are living the ultimate baseball paradox. Raised in the shadow of Fenway Park, they now wear pinstripes. Rice rooted for the Red Sox; Schlittler, the Yankees. Now, both are determined to silence their childhood home crowd. Rice, a rookie outfielder, grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, blocks from Fenway’s Green Monster. He logged countless hours watching David Ortiz tape-measure homers and Dustin Pedroia dive into stands for foul balls. Schlittler, a rookie reliever, hails from Newton, where he spent summers listening to Red Sox games on AM radio while mowing lawns. Their youth jerseys were Red Sox blue. The Yankees drafted Rice 62nd overall in 2022 out of Wake Forest. Schlittler was a 10th-round pick in 2023 from the University of Connecticut. Both signed quickly and reported to the Yankees’ minor-league affiliates in Tampa and Scranton, bypassing Boston’s system entirely. By spring training 2024, they were in big-league camp, wearing the pinstripes their childhood heroes wore in defeat. Now, as the Yankees prepare for a June series at Fenway, Rice and Schlittler are the villains du jour. The Red Sox faithful have already hung their jerseys on the “traitor tree” outside the park’s Yawkey Way entrance. Local talk radio is awash with calls demanding they be booed on sight. The irony isn’t lost on Rice: “I used to high-five kids wearing my old number. Now they’re flipping me off.” Schlittler, ever the diplomat, says he just wants to “pitch well and let the results speak.” What’s next: The Yankees visit Fenway June 14–16. Rice and Schlittler will be in the starting lineup and bullpen, respectively, ready to face the fans who once cheered them. The first pitch could come with a chorus of boos—and a chance to rewrite their Boston story. The dynamic between Rice and Schlittler will be closely watched, as they navigate the complexities of their newfound roles as Yankees. Rice, having grown up a Red Sox fan, may face additional scrutiny from the Fenway faithful. Meanwhile, Schlittler’s childhood allegiance to the Yankees could provide a unique perspective on the rivalry. As they take the field, they will be forced to confront the expectations of their new team, while also dealing with the backlash from their hometown fans. The series against the Red Sox will also serve as a litmus test for the Yankees’ rookie duo. A strong performance could help to silence the critics and prove their worth to the team. On the other hand, a struggles could lead to further criticism and scrutiny. The pressure will be intense, but Rice and Schlittler seem prepared to rise to the challenge. With their skills and determination, they may just be able to turn the boos into cheers, and prove that they are more than just traitors to the Red Sox faithful. As the Yankees and Red Sox prepare to face off, the rivalry between the two teams will be put to the test. The presence of Rice and Schlittler on the Yankees roster adds an extra layer of complexity to the matchup, as both players will be facing their hometown team for the first time as members of the opposing team. The Red Sox organization will be watching closely, eager to see how their former fans will perform against them. The Yankees, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on the energy and motivation that Rice and Schlittler bring to the table. The long-term implications of Rice and Schlittler’s decision to join the Yankees will also be worth monitoring. As they continue to develop and grow as players, they will be faced with the challenge of balancing their loyalty to their new team with their roots in the Boston area. The Red Sox faithful may never fully forgive them for their betrayal, but a strong performance on the field could help to win over some of the fans who have turned against them. Ultimately, the success of Rice and Schlittler will depend on their ability to perform under pressure and prove themselves as valuable members of the Yankees roster. ## Why this matters The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is the bloodiest in sports. When local kids trade Fenway for the Bronx, the betrayal narrative cuts deeper than any walk-off homer. Rice and Schlittler embody the ultimate AL East twist: hometown heroes turned villains, armed with bats and bullpens instead of loyalty. Their presence forces Boston to confront its own backyard paradox—where the line between us and them blurs in pinstripes. ## Frequently asked ### Where are Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler from? Both grew up in Massachusetts suburbs within earshot of Fenway Park. Rice is from Brookline; Schlittler from Newton. ### What teams did Rice and Schlittler root for as kids? Rice was a Red Sox fan; Schlittler rooted for the Yankees. Their childhood allegiances now clash in pinstripes. ### When did the Yankees draft Rice and Schlittler? Rice was a 2022 second-round pick out of Wake Forest. Schlittler was taken in the 10th round in 2023 from UConn. ### Why are Rice and Schlittler controversial in Boston? They’re local kids who signed with the Yankees, the Red Sox’s bitter rivals. Fans see them as traitors, not alumni. ### When will Rice and Schlittler face the Red Sox at Fenway? The Yankees visit Fenway June 14–16. Both are expected to play key roles in the series. ## Sources & Citations - [Yankees' Ben Rice, Cam Schlittler grew up in Red Sox country](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49109307/mlb-2026-new-york-yankees-boston-red-sox-ben-rice-cam-schlittler-fenway-park) — ESPN (2026-06-26) --- Cite: Yankees rookies Rice and Schlittler: Boston’s betrayal in pinstripes. Sportopod, 2026-06-26. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/yankees-ben-rice-cam-schlittler-grew-up-in-red-sox-country-47f9dbff