​PHILADELPHIA – Just a few feet away from Cam Schlittler’s locker, the Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander held court at his final All-Star Game.Some 20 years ago, Verlander – wrapping up a Hall of Fame career and retiring at season’s end, pitched in a playoff series against the Yankees when Schlittler was five.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Obviously one of the league’s best pitchers. Good to meet him toward the end of his career,’’ said Schlittler, who was hopeful of getting the opportunity to really tap into Verlander’s knowledge before Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.1 / 9PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 14: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees attends the 2026 MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show at Independence Mall on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images)(Lisa Lake, Getty Images)They already shared a brief conversation at an All-Star dinner, and Verlander has “been watching from afar’’ as Schlittler put together a “super dominant’’ first half.“I was really intrigued to see how he was doing it, really, with three fastball shapes,’’ Verlander, 43, said of the Yanks’ 25-year-old right-hander.“I’ve been a fan.’’Schlittler restated his preference not to pitch in this All-Star Game, having thrown 99 pitches in Saturday’s start at Washington and mindful of the Yankees’ task ahead.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, “if they need me to throw, I’m going to throw. I’ll leave it at that,’’ said Schlittler, whose next assignment should be against the Dodgers this weekend at Yankee Stadium.Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) during the All-Star Red Carpet Show at Independence Mall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesAnd next weekend, the Yankees will be back in Philadelphia, where Schlittler – who leads the AL with a 2.05 ERA – has already enjoyed the unique atmosphere.“It’s great. I loved the boos,’’ said Schlittler, who had fun taking in the Home Run Derby, though teammate Ben Rice lasted just one round.“The fans are intense here…so it’s a nice little taste to kind of see how they are,’’ said Schlittler, who liked Ben Rice’s quote that “they don’t boo nobodies’’ here.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It’s a good thing to be booed. I don’t mind at all. I prefer to be booed…I feed off that.”Plus, after watching Philly fans “booing kids on the field not catching balls’’ during the Derby, “I feel like it would be a lot of fun to be back here’’ for a series.This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Yankees’ Cam Schlittler is soaking in All-Star Game experience