Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Max Scherzer
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Max Scherzer made an impact.
Max Scherzer, nicknamed "Mad Max", is a right-handed pitcher currently playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. He's an eight-time All-Star and a three-time Cy Young Award winner, recognized as one of baseball's greatest pitchers. Scherzer has pitched two no-hitters and won the World Series with both the Washington Nationals (2019) and the Texas Rangers (2023). He has played for several MLB teams, including the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers, Mets, and Rangers.
1908: Historic Pitching Milestone
In June of an unspecified year, Max Scherzer was the first pitcher since 1908 to strike out at least 68 batters while issuing five or fewer walks in one calendar month.
1912: Compared to Marquard
On August 24, Max Scherzer became the third pitcher in major league history to start a season 19-1, following Marquard in 1912.
1920: Historic pitching performance
In June of an unspecified year, Max Scherzer became the fourth pitcher since 1920 to post an ERA of 1.00 or lower while logging at least 68 strikeouts in one calendar month.
1991: Gullickson win
On September 20, 2013, Scherzer became the third Tigers pitcher to reach 20 wins since Bill Gullickson in 1991.
2001: Compared to Clemens
On August 24, Max Scherzer became the third pitcher in major league history to start a season 19-1, following Clemens in 2001.
2003: Drafted by St. Louis Cardinals
In 2003, Marty Maier, then the Cardinals' scouting director, selected Max Scherzer in the 43rd round of the MLB draft, but he did not sign.
2004: Debut with La Crosse Loggers
In 2004, after his freshman year, Max Scherzer debuted with the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League and was named a mid-season All-Star.
2006: Drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks
In 2006, Max Scherzer was drafted in the first round by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the 11th overall pick, becoming Missouri's first-ever MLB first-round draft pick.
2006: Jeremy Bonderman's Streak
In 2011, Max Scherzer was the first Tiger since Jeremy Bonderman in 2006 to win six straight starts.
2007: Ranked as Top Prospect
During the 2007 offseason, Max Scherzer was named the fourth-best prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
April 27, 2008: Called Up to the Majors
After a good start to the 2008 season in Triple-A Tucson, Max Scherzer was called up to the majors on April 27, 2008.
April 29, 2008: MLB Debut
On April 29, 2008, Max Scherzer made his MLB debut against the Houston Astros, striking out the first batter he faced and setting a record for consecutive batters retired by a pitcher making his MLB debut as a reliever, with 13.
April 30, 2008: Named to Starting Rotation
On April 30, 2008, Max Scherzer was named to the Diamondbacks' starting rotation and made his first appearance as a starter, taking his first major league loss.
2008: MLB Debut with Diamondbacks
In 2008, Max Scherzer made his Major League Baseball debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
May 16, 2009: First MLB Victory
On May 16, 2009, Max Scherzer recorded his first major league victory in a 12-0 win over the Atlanta Braves.
December 9, 2009: Traded to Detroit Tigers
On December 9, 2009, Max Scherzer was traded to the Detroit Tigers as part of a three-team agreement.
December 2009: Traded to Detroit Tigers
In December 2009, Max Scherzer was traded to the Detroit Tigers.
2009: Made 30 Starts Each Season
From 2009 to 2018, Max Scherzer made at least 30 starts each season.
2009: Statistics
In the 2009 to 2012 span, Max Scherzer had a 52-38 record, 3.94 ERA, 1.302 WHIP, averaging 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings and 191 strikeouts per season.
2010: Finished Third
In 2010, the Detroit Tigers finished third, missing the playoffs.
2010: Finished Season with 184 Strikeouts
In the 2010 season, Max Scherzer finished with 12 wins, 11 losses, a 3.50 ERA, and 184 strikeouts.
2011: Won AL Central Title with Detroit Tigers
From 2011 to 2014, Max Scherzer helped the Detroit Tigers win four consecutive American League Central titles.
2011: Highest ERA Since 2011
In 2020, Max Scherzer posted his highest ERA (3.74) since 2011.
2011: Won Six Straight Starts
In the 2011 season, Max Scherzer won six straight starts early in the year.
2011: Verlander win
On September 20, 2013, Scherzer became the third Tigers pitcher to reach 20 wins since Justin Verlander in 2011.
May 20, 2012: Struck Out 15 Pirates
On May 20, 2012, Max Scherzer struck out 15 Pittsburgh Pirates in seven innings.
2012: Struck Out at Least 230 Batters Each Season
From 2012 to 2019, Max Scherzer struck out at least 230 batters in each season.
2012: Won AL Pennant
In 2012, Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers won the American League pennant but lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.
2012: Pitched in the Postseason
In 2012, Max Scherzer pitched successfully for the Tigers in the postseason, making three starts with a 2.08 ERA, and the Tigers reached the World Series.
June 28, 2013: First Tigers Pitcher to Start 12-0
On June 28, 2013, Max Scherzer became the first Tigers pitcher to start a season 12-0, surpassing George Mullin's 11-0 start in 1909.
2013: Scherzer's Superstars Program
In 2013, Max Scherzer and his wife partnered with the Detroit Tigers Foundation to create 'Scherzer's Superstars'. This program invited groups from the Metropolitan Detroit chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to Comerica Park every Tuesday home game, where they could meet Scherzer and his teammates and watch batting practice.
2013: Selected to All-Star Game
In 2013, Max Scherzer was selected by player vote to represent the American League in the All-Star Game and was chosen as the AL's starting pitcher, pitching a perfect inning.
2013: Won AL Cy Young Award
In 2013, Max Scherzer won the American League Cy Young Award while playing for the Detroit Tigers.
January 17, 2014: Scherzer agrees to $15.525 million salary with the Tigers
On January 17, 2014, Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a $15.525 million salary for the 2014 season, successfully avoiding arbitration for the third consecutive year.
2014: Won AL Central Title with Detroit Tigers
From 2011 to 2014, Max Scherzer helped the Detroit Tigers win four consecutive American League Central titles.
January 21, 2015: Scherzer signs with the Washington Nationals
On January 21, 2015, Max Scherzer agreed to a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington Nationals, including a $50 million signing bonus to be paid out over 14 years, the largest deferral in MLB history.
April 6, 2015: Scherzer's Nationals Debut
On April 6, 2015, Max Scherzer made his regular season debut for the Nationals as their Opening Day starting pitcher versus the New York Mets, striking out eight over 7+2⁄3 innings in a 3–1 loss.
June 14, 2015: Scherzer pitches a near-perfect game with record strikeouts
On June 14, 2015, Max Scherzer pitched his second career complete game, a one-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers, with a career-high 16 strikeouts, setting a new Nationals team record. He lost his perfect game in the seventh inning, receiving a game score of 100.
October 3, 2015: Scherzer throws second no-hitter of the season
On October 3, 2015, Max Scherzer pitched his second no-hitter of the season, against the Mets, striking out a career-high 17 batters, which tied Nolan Ryan for most strikeouts in a no-hitter. The performance led to debates about being one of the greatest pitching performances of all time and won the 2015 Esurance MLB Award for Best Performance.
2015: Partnership with Nationals for LGBT Fans
In 2015, Erica May-Scherzer partnered with the Washington Nationals' annual 'Night Out' event for LGBT fans. Inspired by Sean Doolittle and Eireann Dolan, she led an effort by Nationals' spouses to promote the event, showing their support for the LGBT community.
2015: Recorded Multiple No-Hitters
In 2015, Max Scherzer became the fifth pitcher in Major League history to record multiple no-hitters in a single season.
2015: Scherzer finishes the 2015 season
Max Scherzer finished the 2015 season with a 2.79 ERA and 0.92 WHIP while striking out 276 batters against only 34 walks for an MLB-leading 8.12 K:BB ratio and leading all major league pitchers in first-strike percentage (73.3%).
May 11, 2016: Tied Strikeout Record and Defeated All MLB Teams
On May 11, 2016, Max Scherzer tied the major league nine-inning single-game strikeout record with 20, and became the youngest-ever pitcher to defeat all 30 MLB teams.
November 16, 2016: Scherzer wins second Cy Young Award
On November 16, 2016, Max Scherzer was named the National League Cy Young Award winner, his second Cy Young Award, with a 20–7 record, 2.96 ERA, MLB-leading 284 strikeouts, and an MLB-leading 0.968 WHIP. He became the sixth pitcher to win the award in both the American and National Leagues.
2016: Strike Out Modern Slavery Fundraiser
In 2016, Max Scherzer and his wife, Erica, started a fundraiser called 'Strike Out Modern Slavery' to support the Polaris Project, which fights human trafficking. The couple matched donations for every strikeout Scherzer threw during the Nationals' season, contributing to the fight against modern slavery.
May 14, 2017: Scherzer pitches an immaculate inning
On May 14, 2017, Max Scherzer pitched his first career immaculate inning, striking out three batters on nine pitches in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies.
August 1, 2017: Scherzer hits first career home run, placed on disabled list
On August 1, 2017, Max Scherzer hit his first career home run but left the game shortly thereafter with neck spasms. He was later placed on the disabled list retroactive to August 15 due to recurring neck issues.
August 2017: Pet Adoption Fee Coverage After Hurricane Harvey
In August 2017, following Hurricane Harvey, Max Scherzer and his wife announced they would cover all pet adoption fees for four days at the Washington, D.C.-based Humane Rescue Alliance shelters. This effort aimed to help pets find homes and support animal welfare in the wake of the natural disaster.
2017: Recorded 2,000 Career Strikeouts
In 2017, Max Scherzer 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.
2017: Won NL Cy Young Award
In 2017, Max Scherzer won the National League Cy Young Award for the second consecutive year.
2017: Scherzer finishes 2017 season with notable achievements
Max Scherzer completed the 2017 season with a 16-6 record and a 2.51 ERA. He led the National League with 268 strikeouts, a 0.90 WHIP, and a .178 batting average against and became the 3rd starting pitcher in MLB history to have more than twice as many strikeouts in a season as hits allowed.
2018: Made 30 Starts Each Season
From 2009 to 2018, Max Scherzer made at least 30 starts each season.
2018: 2018 Season Performance
In the 2018 season, Max Scherzer had an 18–7 record with a 2.53 ERA, throwing more pitches than any other major league pitcher and finishing second in Cy Young Award voting.
2018: 1,000th Strikeout as a National and All-Star Selection
On July 2, 2018, Max Scherzer recorded his 1,000th strikeout since joining Washington, becoming the 11th pitcher in major league history to reach 1,000 strikeouts with two different clubs. He was also selected as the NL starting pitcher in the All-Star Game.
2019: Earned Win in Game 1 of World Series
During the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros, Max Scherzer earned a win in Game 1 and started Game 7, which the Nationals won.
2019: Struck Out at Least 230 Batters Each Season
From 2012 to 2019, Max Scherzer struck out at least 230 batters in each season.
2019: Won World Series with Nationals
In 2019, Max Scherzer won the World Series with the Washington Nationals.
2019: 2019 Season Stats
Max Scherzer concluded 2019 with an 11–7 record, leading major league pitchers in strikeouts/walks ratio at 7.364, and Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) at 2.45. He also led the NL in SO/9 at 12.7.
2020: 2020 Season Performance
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Max Scherzer had a 5–4 record with a 3.74 ERA, his highest since 2011, and 92 strikeouts.
May 2, 2021: Complete Game vs Marlins
On May 2, 2021, Max Scherzer pitched his first complete game of the season, allowing one run on a home run while striking out nine against the Marlins.
July 30, 2021: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
On July 30, 2021, Max Scherzer was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Trea Turner in exchange for Josiah Gray, Keibert Ruiz, Donovan Casey, and Gerardo Carrillo.
September 12, 2021: Joined 3,000 Strikeout Club
On September 12, 2021, Max Scherzer joined the 3,000 strikeout club.
December 1, 2021: Signed with the New York Mets
On December 1, 2021, Max Scherzer agreed to a three-year, $130 million contract with the New York Mets, holding the largest AAV in MLB history at $43.3 million.
2021: Traded to Dodgers and Finished 3rd in NL Cy Young Voting
In 2021, Max Scherzer was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they reached the NLCS, and he finished 3rd in NL Cy Young voting.
2021: 3,000th Strikeout and Immaculate Inning
In a game against the San Diego Padres in 2021, Max Scherzer recorded his 3,000th strikeout and achieved his third immaculate inning, tying for the most in a major-league career.
April 8, 2022: Mets Debut vs Nationals
On April 8, 2022, Max Scherzer earned the win in his Mets debut against his former team, the Washington Nationals.
2022: Named to All-MLB Team
At the conclusion of the 2022 season, Max Scherzer, then with the New York Mets, was named to the All-MLB Team.
2022: Covering Adoption Fees at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center
From June 6 to 12, 2022, while pitching for the Mets, the Scherzers agreed to cover the adoption fee at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey for any dog over 30 pounds. This initiative led to the adoption of over 270 animals, greatly boosted by the Scherzers' social media presence.
July 29, 2023: Traded to the Texas Rangers
On July 29, 2023, the Mets traded Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, where he debuted and pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs and recording nine strikeouts.
2023: Joined Elite Group of Pitchers
In 2023, Max Scherzer 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.
2023: Won World Series with Texas Rangers
In 2023, Max Scherzer won the World Series with the Texas Rangers.
2023: Traded to Rangers and Won World Series
Midway through the 2023 season, Max Scherzer was traded to the Texas Rangers, where he started Games 3 and 7 of the ALCS and Game 3 of the World Series, which the Rangers won.
2024: Opted into 2024 player option
As part of the trade to the Texas Rangers on July 29, 2023 Max Scherzer opted into his 2024 player option worth more than $43 million.
2024: 2024 Season and Injury
Max Scherzer made his 2024 season debut on June 23, tying Greg Maddux on MLB's all-time strikeout list. Overall, Scherzer started nine games in 2024, ending his season early with a hamstring strain.
February 4, 2025: Signed with the Toronto Blue Jays
On February 4, 2025, Max Scherzer signed a one-year, $15.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
