Max Scherzer's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Max Scherzer. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
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.
1909: George Mullin Record
On June 28, 2013, Max Scherzer surpassed George Mullin's 11-0 start in 1909.
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.
1962: Previous Record
In 1962, Pete Richert set the previous record of 12 batters retired.
April 20, 1986: Barry Jones' Debut
On April 20, 1986, Barry Jones had eight strikeouts in a debut relief appearance.
1986: Roger Clemens Record
On July 3, 2013, Max Scherzer became the first major league starter to begin a season 13-0 since Roger Clemens in 1986.
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.
2005: Won Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Award
In 2005, Max Scherzer won the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Award while playing at the University of Missouri.
2009: Made 30 Starts Each Season
From 2009 to 2018, Max Scherzer made at least 30 starts each season.
2009: Strikeout Record at Yankee Stadium
On May 8, 2021, Max Scherzer established a record for most strikeouts by an opposing pitcher (14) at the then-current iteration of Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009.
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: Verlander win
On September 20, 2013, Scherzer became the third Tigers pitcher to reach 20 wins since Justin Verlander in 2011.
January 9, 2012: Inducted into University of Missouri Hall of Fame
On January 9, 2012, it was announced that Max Scherzer would be inducted into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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: 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.
July 8, 2016: Scherzer named to NL All-Star team
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. Scherzer performed in relief in the sixth inning, allowing no baserunners.
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.
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.
2017: Scherzer wins third Cy Young Award and other accolades
Max Scherzer's end of season awards for 2017 included selection as a starting pitcher on Baseball America's All-MLB Team, the 2017 National League Cy Young Award (his third), Players Choice Award winner for National League Outstanding Pitcher, and election to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame.
2018: Ranked Among Baseball's Best
Before the 2018 season, Max Scherzer was graded as the top pitcher and fourth-best overall player in baseball by Sports Illustrated.
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.
September 12, 2021: Joined 3,000 Strikeout Club
On September 12, 2021, Max Scherzer joined the 3,000 strikeout club.
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.
December 6, 2022: Named to All-MLB Second Team
On December 6, 2022, Max Scherzer was named to the All-MLB Second Team.
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.
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: World Series Title with the Rangers
In 2023, Max Scherzer started three postseason games for the Texas Rangers. Although his season was cut short due to back pain, the Rangers went on to win their first World Series title in franchise history.
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.
