Maxwell Martin Scherzer (born July 27, 1984), nicknamed "Mad Max," is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers. A right-handed starting pitcher, Scherzer is an eight-time MLB All-Star, has won three Cy Young Awards, has pitched two no-hitters, and is a two-time World Series champion, winning with the Nationals in 2019 and the Rangers in 2023. He is regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball history.

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Scherzer with the 11th overall pick of the 2006 amateur draft. He made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks in 2008. In December 2009, Scherzer was traded to the Detroit Tigers. During his five-year tenure in Detroit, Scherzer made the American League All-Star Team twice and won the 2013 American League Cy Young Award. Scherzer also helped the Tigers win four consecutive American League Central titles from 2011 to 2014. In 2015, Scherzer became the fifth pitcher in Major League history to record multiple no-hitters in a single season. On May 11, 2016, in a game against the Tigers, he tied the major league nine-inning single-game strikeout record with 20, making him the second player to achieve both a no-hitter and 20 strikeouts over nine innings. In that same game, Scherzer became the youngest pitcher to beat all 30 MLB teams. Scherzer won the NL Cy Young Award in 2016 and 2017, and made the National League All-Star Team five times with the Nationals.

In the 2019 World Series, against the Houston Astros, Scherzer earned a win in Game 1 and started Game 7, which the Nationals also won (Scherzer received a no-decision) for their first World Series championship. Scherzer was traded to the Dodgers in 2021, where they reached the 2021 NLCS, and he finished 3rd in NL Cy Young voting. As a free agent, he signed with the Mets and was named to the All-MLB Team at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Midway into the 2023 season, Scherzer was traded to the Rangers, where he started Games 3 and 7 of the 2023 ALCS against the Astros and Game 3 of the 2023 World Series as the Rangers won their first championship.

Scherzer is the fifth pitcher to start an All-Star Game for both the American and National Leagues. He is a four-time wins leader and a winner of three strikeout titles. One of the most consistent pitchers of his era, he made at least 30 starts each season from 2009 to 2018 and struck out at least 230 batters in each season from 2012 to 2019. In 2017, he became the third-fastest player ever to record 2,000 career strikeouts and the fourth to strike out 250 or more in four consecutive seasons. Scherzer recorded more wins (161) and strikeouts (2,452) than any pitcher in the 2010s. He joined the 3,000 strikeout club on September 12, 2021, and has struck out the 11th most all-time. In 2023, he became only the fourth pitcher in Major League history to win multiple World Series championships, win multiple Cy Young Awards, throw multiple no-hitters, and earn multiple All-Star selections; the others are Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, Tim Lincecum, and former teammate Justin Verlander. Scherzer is currently the second oldest active player in Major League Baseball, after Verlander.

Early life

Max Scherzer was born and raised in Chesterfield, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. He is the son of Jan (Shirck) and Brad Scherzer. As a student at Parkway Central High School in his hometown, he played baseball, football, and basketball. Though he did not have a lot of natural ability, his strong competitive spirit helped define his athletic career. One of his influential coaches was Rick Kirby, the basketball coach who focused on teaching basic skills and emphasized defense. Marty Maier, who was the Cardinals' scouting director at the time, chose Scherzer in the 43rd round (1,291st overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. However, Scherzer did not sign a contract and instead went to the University of Missouri in Columbia.

College career

Early in his time at Missouri, Scherzer used a lot of energy in his windup, causing his head movement to frequently knock his cap off. One of his coaches at Missouri, Tony Vitello, helped recruit him and later taught him to pitch more steadily and avoid leaping at hitters. This change helped him avoid missing pitches that were high and inside to right-handed batters. He did not pitch for the last 50 days of his freshman season, choosing instead to focus on workouts and long toss, which helped him increase his pitch speed. Vitello and head coach Tim Jamieson trained him in a practice to balance on his back leg with better coordination and avoid falling over his front foot. Scherzer adjusted his pitching motion and practiced consistently over the following winter, resulting in a 1.86 earned run average (ERA) and 131 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched across 16 games during his sophomore season.

After his freshman year at the University of Missouri in 2004, Scherzer played for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League (NWL), a summer baseball league for college players. That summer, he had a record of 2 wins and 1 loss with a 1.91 ERA and six saves. He also struck out 50 batters in 33 innings pitched. He was selected as a mid-season All-Star.

As a sophomore with Missouri in 2005, Scherzer won the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Award.

On January 9, 2012, it was announced that Scherzer would be inducted into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.

Professional career

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Stephen Scherzer in the first round with the 11th overall pick of the 2006 MLB draft, making him Missouri’s first-ever MLB first-round draft pick. Mike Rizzo, the Diamondbacks’ scouting director, said Scherzer attacked hitters with a strong and determined style that he had never seen before. Seven pitchers were chosen before Scherzer, including Luke Hochevar (first overall pick), Brandon Morrow, Clayton Kershaw, and Tim Lincecum. Some scouting reports criticized Scherzer for having a delivery that looked too forceful. However, Rizzo and other Arizona scouts believed that Scherzer’s combination of arm action, pitching knowledge, and aggressive style made him stand out. They called him “Mad Max” in the draft room because he looked intense and focused when pitching.

Scherzer and his agent, Scott Boras, had trouble agreeing on a contract with the Diamondbacks. Because of this, Scherzer did not sign with the team the summer he was drafted. Instead, he began his professional baseball career with the Fort Worth Cats of the independent American Association. Scherzer said, “It was my decision” and “I’ve never second guessed it.” He played in only three games for the Cats, pitching a total of 16 innings. He had a 1–0 record, struck out 25 batters, and had an ERA of 0.56.

Later, Scherzer agreed to a four-year, $4.3 million contract with the Diamondbacks. He reportedly signed the contract just before midnight on the team’s May 30 deadline.

Scherzer started his time in the Diamondbacks organization with the Class A Advanced Visalia Oaks. In his first start on June 7 with the team, he struck out 8 batters and allowed only one run on 2 hits over five innings. In his next start, Scherzer pitched seven perfect innings and struck out 13 batters. He did not finish the game due to a pitch limit, but he told reporters he believed he “would have gotten the perfect game if I had stayed in.”

Scherzer pitched one more start for the Oaks before being promoted to the Double-A Mobile BayBears at the end of June that year. With the BayBears, he had a 3.91 ERA over 14 starts, striking out 76 batters in 73 2/3 innings.

During the 2007 offseason, Scherzer was named the fourth-best prospect in the Diamondbacks organization.

After a strong start to the 2008 season with the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders, Scherzer was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on April 27, 2008.

On April 29, 2008, Scherzer made his MLB debut against the Houston Astros when he came on in relief and struck out the first batter he faced, Jack Cassel. He threw 4 1/3 perfect innings while striking out seven batters. In the process, he set the record for the number of consecutive batters retired (13) for a pitcher making his MLB debut as a reliever. The previous record was 12, set in 1962 by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Pete Richert. The seven strikeouts Scherzer had in the appearance were one short of the MLB record for most in a debut relief appearance. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Barry Jones had eight on April 20, 1986.

On April 30, 2008, the Diamondbacks announced Scherzer would be part of the starting rotation due to his impressive debut. In his first appearance as a starter for the D-Backs, Scherzer allowed five runs (two earned) in four innings, while striking out five, taking the first loss of his major league career. He returned to the bullpen for much of the 2008 season. For the season, he was 0–4 with a 3.05 ERA in 16 games (seven starts) and struck out 66 batters in 56 innings.

Scherzer participated in the 2008 Arizona Fall League season as a member of the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

He became a full-time starter in 2009, filling the fifth starter role in the starting rotation. He recorded his first major league victory in a 12–0 win over the Atlanta Braves on May 16, 2009. On May 26, Scherzer recorded the second win of his career. He finished the 2009 season with 30 starts, a 9–11 record, 4.12 ERA, and 174 strikeouts in 170 1/3 innings pitched.

On December 9, 2009, Arizona traded Scherzer along with Daniel Schlereth, Phil Coke, and Austin Jackson to the Detroit Tigers as part of a three-team agreement. The deal sent Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks and Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees.

In Detroit, Scherzer improved his control and became a top pitcher, teaming with fellow right-hander and future Cy Young Award-winner Justin Verlander to lead the Tigers’ starting rotation for five seasons. A third-place finish in 2010 kept them out of the playoffs, but they won four consecutive AL Central division championships afterward. The run ended with Detroit winning the 2012 American League (AL) pennant, though they lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

Detroit sent Scherzer to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on May 16, replacing him with Armando Galarraga. On May 30, Scherzer was called back up and made his first start against the Oakland Athletics later that day. Scherzer pitched seven innings, striking out 11 batters. He

Pitching and preparation style

He is very different from other players, and this has always been true. His approach to the game is unique, and he is very consistent and efficient.

When pitching, he uses a unique throwing motion, nearly sidearm, and a specific arm movement when there are no runners on base. Scherzer throws five types of pitches: a fastball with a lot of movement that averages 92–96 mph (reaching up to 99 mph), a slider that travels at 85–86 mph, a changeup at 84–85 mph, a cutter at 88–89 mph, and a curveball at 78–79 mph. He mainly uses a fastball and slider against right-handed hitters and a fastball, changeup, and cutter against left-handed hitters. Sometimes, he throws a curveball to get the first strike in an at-bat.

Scherzer is nicknamed "Mad Max" because of his intense play and unique preparation methods. He also works hard on other parts of the game, like hitting and running bases. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Scherzer stands out from other pitchers because he focuses on hitting as well as his pitching.

Awards and achievements

• He set the record for the most strikeouts in a single nine-inning game, with 20 strikeouts, on May 11, 2016.
• He achieved the most game scores of 100 or higher in one season, with 2 scores, in 2015.
• He reached 100 strikeouts in a season in the fewest innings, completing it in 63 innings on May 19, 2018.
• He reached 15 strikeouts in a single game in the fewest innings, achieving it in 6 and 1/3 innings on May 12, 2018.
• He retired 13 consecutive batters in his first relief appearance in Major League Baseball, on April 29, 2008.
• He became the third pitcher to complete three perfect innings in a game.
• He became the fifth pitcher to reach 100 games with 10 or more strikeouts in a single game, on May 8, 2021.
• He became the 19th pitcher to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, on September 12, 2021.
• He became the first pitcher in history to appear in the World Series with four different teams, on October 27, 2025.

• He pitched two no-hitters in the same season: one against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 20, 2015, and another against the New York Mets on October 3, 2015.
• He completed three perfect innings in games: one against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 14, 2017, one against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 5, 2018, and one against the San Diego Padres on September 12, 2021.

Personal life

Max Scherzer has heterochromia iridum, which means his right eye is blue and his left eye is brown. On June 12, 2011, the Detroit Tigers gave out a bobblehead doll that showed Scherzer’s eyes correctly. In the spring of 2017, the Nationals created a "delightfully creepy" image of Scherzer’s eyes, accurately showing them as blue and brown, with backward and forward Ks added to the pupils.

Scherzer met his future wife, Erica May, at the University of Missouri, where they both played as pitchers. May played for the Mizzou softball team. The couple dated for more than eight years before marrying in November 2013. They have three daughters and a son. Their first daughter was born on November 29, 2017. Their second daughter was born on July 4, 2019. Their third child, a boy, was born on May 2, 2021. Scherzer pitched a complete game before leaving for the hospital that day. Their fourth child, a girl, was born on January 30, 2023. As of 2017, the Scherzers had four rescue dogs and two cats. They lived in McLean, a Northern Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., but listed their home for sale in 2020. That same year, they bought a home in Jupiter, Florida.

The Scherzers are involved in social activities. In 2013, they worked with the Detroit Tigers Foundation on a program called Scherzer’s Superstars, where groups from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America met Scherzer and some of his teammates at Comerica Park for batting practice every Tuesday. In 2015, after Scherzer joined the Washington Nationals, Erica May-Scherzer partnered with organizers of the Nationals’ "Night Out" event for LGBT fans, inspired by her husband’s teammate Sean Doolittle and his wife, Eireann Dolan.

May-Scherzer is an ambassador for the Polaris Project, an organization that works to stop human trafficking. Scherzer started a fundraiser called Strike Out Modern Slavery during the Nationals’ 2016 season, in which the couple matched donations to Polaris for every strikeout Scherzer made that year. Both Max and Erica support the Humane Rescue Alliance. After Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, they agreed to pay all pet adoption fees from the group’s shelters in Washington, D.C., for four days. When Scherzer played for the Mets, the family also covered adoption fees for dogs over 30 pounds at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey, from June 6 to 12, 2022. More than 270 animals were adopted during this time, largely because of the Scherzers’ social media efforts.

Scherzer’s younger brother, Alex, passed away by suicide in early summer 2012. Alex loved studying advanced baseball statistics, called sabermetrics. Since Alex’s death, Scherzer has dedicated every game he starts to his late brother.