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 highly decorated American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. Known for his intensity and skill as a right-handed starting pitcher, he's an eight-time MLB All-Star and a three-time Cy Young Award winner. He has also pitched two no-hitters. Scherzer has won the World Series with both the Washington Nationals in 2019 and the Texas Rangers in 2023. He is widely considered one of the best pitchers in baseball history due to his numerous achievements and accolades.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1912: Major league history

With a win over the New York Mets on August 24, Max Scherzer became the third pitcher in major league history to start a season 19–1, following Rube Marquard in 1912.

1986: Major League Starter to begin a season 13-0

With a win against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 3, Max Scherzer became the first major league starter to begin a season 13–0 since Roger Clemens in 1986.

2001: Major league history

With a win over the New York Mets 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 the St. Louis Cardinals

Marty Maier selected Max Scherzer in the 43rd round of the 2003 MLB draft. However, he did not sign and instead attended the University of Missouri in Columbia.

2004: Debut with La Crosse Loggers

After his freshman year at the University of Missouri in 2004, Max Scherzer made his debut with the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League (NWL), where he was named a mid-season All-Star.

2006: Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks

In 2006, Max Scherzer was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the 11th overall pick in the amateur draft.

2006: First Round Draft Pick

In 2006, the Arizona Diamondbacks chose Max Scherzer in the first round with the 11th overall pick of the MLB draft, making him Missouri's first-ever MLB first-round draft pick.

2006: Six Straight Starts

In the 2011 season, Max Scherzer was the first Tiger since Jeremy Bonderman in 2006 to accomplish the feat.

April 27, 2008: Promoted to Major Leagues

After a good start to the 2008 season, Max Scherzer was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on April 27, 2008.

April 29, 2008: MLB Debut

On April 29, 2008, Max Scherzer made his MLB debut against the Houston Astros. He set the record for the number of consecutive batters retired (13) for a pitcher making his MLB debut as a reliever.

April 30, 2008: Starting Rotation

On April 30, 2008, the Diamondbacks announced Max Scherzer would be part of the starting rotation.

2008: Scherzer's AFL achievements

In 2008, Max Scherzer had a 3.38 ERA over four starts in the Arizona Fall League.

2008: MLB Debut with Diamondbacks

In 2008, Max Scherzer made his Major League Baseball debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2008: Arizona Fall League Season

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

May 16, 2009: First Major League 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 the Detroit Tigers

On December 9, 2009, Arizona traded Max Scherzer 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: Consecutive seasons with 30 starts

From 2009 to 2018, Max Scherzer made at least 30 starts each season.

2009: 52-38 Record

In four seasons spanning 2009–12, Max Scherzer was 52–38, 3.94 ERA, 1.302 WHIP, averaging 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings and 191 strikeouts per season.

2010: Third-Place Finish

In 2010 the Detroit Tigers finished in third place.

2010: Finished with 184 Strikeouts

Max Scherzer finished the 2010 season with a 12–11 record, 3.50 ERA, and 184 strikeouts.

June 12, 2011: Bobblehead Doll Distribution

On June 12, 2011, the Detroit Tigers distributed a bobblehead doll depicting Max Scherzer with heterochromia iridum, correctly portraying his right eye as blue and his left eye as brown.

2011: Highest ERA Since 2011

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Max Scherzer posted a 5–4 record with a 3.74 ERA, his highest since 2011.

2011: Central Title with the Tigers

From 2011 to 2014, Max Scherzer helped the Detroit Tigers win four consecutive American League Central titles.

2011: Six Straight Starts

In the 2011 season, Max Scherzer won six straight starts early in the year.

May 20, 2012: Strikeout 15 Pittsburgh Pirates

On May 20, 2012, Max Scherzer struck out 15 Pittsburgh Pirates in seven innings.

2012: World Series Start

After winning the AL Central division, Max Scherzer started Game 4 of the 2012 World Series for the Tigers, yielding three earned runs in 6 1⁄3 innings and receiving a no-decision.

2012: Consecutive seasons with 230 strikeouts

From 2012 to 2019, Max Scherzer struck out at least 230 batters in each season.

2012: Won American League

In 2012, Detroit won the American League (AL) pennant, only to fall to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

June 28, 2013: First Tigers pitcher to start 12-0

After a win against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 28, 2013, Max Scherzer became the first Tigers pitcher to ever start a season 12–0.

2013: Scherzer pitches in the ALCS against the Red Sox

During the 2013 ALCS, Max Scherzer pitched against the Boston Red Sox. In Game 2, he no-hit Boston for 5+2⁄3 innings and left the game with a 5–1 lead after seven innings, striking out 13. He was the losing pitcher in Game 6, the deciding game of the series.

2013: NLCS Game 2 Start

During the 2019 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Max Scherzer started Game 2. The performances mirrored a feat Aníbal Sánchez and Scherzer had achieved as teammates while playing in Detroit in Games 1 and 2 of the 2013 ALCS versus the Boston Red Sox.

2013: Scherzer wins AL Cy Young Award

In 2013, Max Scherzer became the first major league pitcher of the season to reach 20 wins, finishing with a 21–3 record. He also won the 2013 AL Cy Young Award, the Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher, and the Baseball Digest Pitcher of the Year award.

2013: Scherzer performs in ALDS Game 1

In 2013, Max Scherzer had a dominant performance in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Oakland Athletics, recording 11 strikeouts and giving up just one hit through the first six innings. He finished with seven innings pitched, giving up three hits, as he and the Tigers won the game, 3–2. He earned the victory in Game 4 of the same series to go to 2-0.

2013: All-Star Selection

In 2013, Max Scherzer was selected to represent the American League in the 2013 All-Star Game and was chosen as the AL's starting pitcher.

2013: Partnership with Detroit Tigers Foundation

In 2013, the Scherzers partnered with the Detroit Tigers Foundation on a program called Scherzer's Superstars, inviting groups from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to Comerica Park for Tuesday home games.

January 17, 2014: Scherzer avoids arbitration with Tigers

On January 17, 2014, Max Scherzer and the Tigers agreed on a $15.525 million salary for the 2014 season, avoiding arbitration for the third straight year.

2014: Central Title with the Tigers

From 2011 to 2014, Max Scherzer helped the Detroit Tigers win four consecutive American League Central titles.

2014: Scherzer finishes the 2014 season

In 2014, Max Scherzer finished the season with an 18–5 record, a 3.19 ERA and a 1.175 WHIP. He also made his only postseason appearance of 2014 in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles and was tagged with the loss.

January 21, 2015: Scherzer signs with the 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.

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. He struck out eight over 7+2⁄3 innings in a 3–1 loss.

June 14, 2015: Scherzer pitches near-perfect game

On June 14, 2015, Max Scherzer pitched a one-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers, recording 16 strikeouts, a new personal best and Nationals team record. He lost a perfect game bid with two outs in the 7th.

2015: Accumulated Most Innings, Strikeouts, and Pitching WAR

From 2015 to 2017, Max Scherzer accumulated the most innings, strikeouts, and pitching WAR in his first 98 starts with the Nationals.

2015: Erica May-Scherzer's Partnership with Nationals' LGBT Event

In 2015, Erica May-Scherzer partnered with organizers of the Washington Nationals' annual "Night Out" event for LGBT fans, leading an effort by Nationals' spouses to promote the event.

2015: 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 achieves his second no-hitter

On October 3, 2015, Max Scherzer achieved his second no-hitter of the season versus the Mets, striking out a new career-high 17 batters with no walks. With a game score of 104, it was the second-highest achieved on record, and he won the 2015 Esurance MLB Award for Best Performance for that game.

May 11, 2016: Ties Strikeout Record

On May 11, 2016, Max Scherzer tied the major league nine-inning single-game strikeout record with 20 against the Tigers, becoming the second player to achieve both a no-hitter and 20 strikeouts over nine innings. On May 11, 2016, Scherzer also became the youngest pitcher to defeat all 30 MLB teams.

July 8, 2016: Scherzer named to All-Star Game

On July 8, 2016, Max Scherzer was named to the National League squad at the All-Star Game in San Diego as a roster replacement for teammate Stephen Strasburg. His batting achievements for the season included a career-best 12 RBI.

November 16, 2016: Scherzer wins second Cy Young Award

On November 16, 2016, Max Scherzer was named the National League Cy Young Award winner, winning his second Cy Young Award. He also won two of the 2016 Esurance MLB/This Year in Baseball Awards: for Best Pitcher, and his 20-strikeout game won for Best Performance.

2016: Strike Out Modern Slavery Fundraiser

In 2016, Max Scherzer started a fundraiser during the Nationals' season called Strike Out Modern Slavery, in which he and Erica matched donations to Polaris for every strikeout he threw.

2016: Mets Clinch Playoff Appearance

In 2022, Max Scherzer earned the 200th win of his career on September 19. In the same game, the Mets clinched their first playoff appearance since 2016.

2016: Pitched Against Detroit

On June 30, 2019, Max Scherzer faced his former team, the Detroit Tigers. It was the first time he pitched against Detroit at Comerica Park since joining the Nationals, and the first since the 20-strikeout game in 2016. He struck out 14.

May 14, 2017: Scherzer pitches immaculate inning

On May 14, 2017, Max Scherzer pitched his first career immaculate inning versus Philadelphia.

August 2017: Pet Adoption Fees Coverage After Hurricane Harvey

Following Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, Max and Erica Scherzer announced that they would pay all pet adoption fees from the Washington, D.C.-based Humane Rescue Alliance's shelters for four days.

2017: Accumulated Most Innings, Strikeouts, and Pitching WAR

From 2015 to 2017, Max Scherzer accumulated the most innings, strikeouts, and pitching WAR in his first 98 starts with the Nationals.

2017: Fastest to 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: Scherzer wins awards and joins Hall of Fame

In 2017, Max Scherzer won his third National League Cy Young Award, was selected for Baseball America's All-MLB Team, won the Players Choice Award for National League Outstanding Pitcher, and was elected to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame.

2017: Nationals Unveil Scherzer's Eyes

In 2017, the Washington Nationals unveiled a "delightfully creepy" crop of Max Scherzer's eyes, correctly portrayed as blue and brown, with backward and forward Ks edited into the pupils.

2017: Scherzer finishes 2017 season with strong stats

Max Scherzer finished 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.

2018: Consecutive seasons with 30 starts

From 2009 to 2018, Max Scherzer made at least 30 starts each season.

2018: 1,000th Strikeout

In 2018, Max Scherzer collected 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: Consecutive seasons with 230 strikeouts

From 2012 to 2019, Max Scherzer struck out at least 230 batters in each season.

2019: Concluded 2019 Season

In 2019, Max Scherzer concluded the season with an 11-7 record, a 2.92 ERA, and 243 strikeouts. He led all major league pitchers in strikeouts/walks ratio and Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP).

2019: Opening Day Start

In 2019, Max Scherzer started for the Nationals on Opening Day against Jacob deGrom of the Mets at Nationals Park.

2019: World Series Win with the Nationals

In 2019, Max Scherzer won the World Series with the Washington Nationals.

2019: Scherzer's Salary increase

In 2019, Max Scherzer's contract increased to $35 million a year, the season in which his deferrals begin.

2019: Earned a win in Game 1 of the World Series

In the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros, Scherzer earned a win in Game 1 and started Game 7 for the Nationals first championship in franchise history.

2020: Posted 2020 Season Record

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Max Scherzer posted a 5-4 record with a 3.74 ERA, and 92 strikeouts over 67+1⁄3 innings in 12 starts.

2020: Scherzer's Salary details

In 2020, Max Scherzer's salary was $35 million a year, the season in which his deferrals begin.

May 2, 2021: Complete Game vs. Marlins

On May 2, 2021, Max Scherzer pitched his first complete game of the season against the Marlins, allowing one run and striking out nine.

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.

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, which included the largest AAV in MLB history.

2021: Traded to the Dodgers

In 2021 Scherzer was traded to the Dodgers where they reached the 2021 NLCS and he finished 3rd in NL Cy Young voting.

2021: Reached 3,000 Strikeouts

In 2021, Max Scherzer struck out Eric Hosmer to become the 19th pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts, achieved his third immaculate inning, and was named NL Player of the Week.

2021: Scherzer's Salary details

In 2021, Max Scherzer's salary was $35 million a year, the season in which his deferrals begin.

April 8, 2022: Earned Win in Mets Debut

On April 8, 2022, Max Scherzer earned the win in his Mets debut against his former team, the Washington Nationals.

2022: Adoption Fee Coverage at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center

In 2022, while Max Scherzer was 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 adopted from June 6 to 12.

July 29, 2023: Traded to the Texas Rangers

On July 29, 2023, Max Scherzer was traded to the Texas Rangers by the Mets.

2023: Fourth pitcher in Major League history to achieve milestones

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: Pitched for the Mets

In 2023, Max Scherzer posted a 9-4 record for the Mets.

2023: Won World Series with the Rangers

In 2023, Max Scherzer started three postseason games for the Rangers, who went on to win their first World Series title.

2024: Opted into Player Option

As part of the trade to the Rangers, Max Scherzer opted into his 2024 player option worth more than $43 million on July 29, 2023.

2024: Tied Greg Maddux on MLB's All-Time List

In 2024, Max Scherzer made his season debut and struck out four, tying him with Greg Maddux for eleventh place on MLB's all-time list with a career total of 3,371 strikeouts.