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 highly accomplished American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. Known for his intensity and skill, he has played for several MLB teams, including the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers, Mets, and Rangers. A right-handed starting pitcher, Scherzer is an eight-time All-Star and a three-time Cy Young Award winner. He has pitched two no-hitters and has won the World Series twice, once with the Washington Nationals in 2019 and again with the Texas Rangers in 2023, solidifying his reputation as one of baseball's all-time greats.

Sections (4)

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

1900: Longest Span Without a Complete Game

In 1900, Max Scherzer's first career complete game and shutout marked the longest expanse any major league starter had gone without a complete game.

1908: Struck out at least 68 batters while issuing five or fewer walks in one calendar month

During June, it was also the first time since 1908 that any pitcher had struck out at least 68 batters while issuing five or fewer walks in one calendar month.

1909: George Mullin's 11-0 Start

In 1909, George Mullin started a season 11-0 for the Detroit Tigers.

1920: Posted an ERA of 1.00 or lower while logging at least 68 strikeouts

During June, Scherzer went 6–0 over six starts and 45 innings. 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.

1946: Bob Feller's Record

In 1946, Bob Feller set the Major League record for consecutive 7+ strikeout games to start the season with nine.

1962: Pete Richert Debut

Pete Richert of the Los Angeles Dodgers set a record in 1962 by retiring 12 consecutive batters in his MLB debut as a reliever, a record Max Scherzer broke.

1970: Tom Seaver's Record

In 1970, Tom Seaver set the Major League record for most consecutive strikeouts in a game.

April 20, 1986: Barry Jones Debut

Barry Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates recorded eight strikeouts on April 20, 1986, in a debut relief appearance.

1986: Roger Clemens' start

In 1986, Roger Clemens started a season 13-0.

2000: Pedro Martinez's strikeout to hits ratio

In the 2000 season, Pedro Martinez was the first MLB starting pitcher to have more than twice as many strikeouts in a season (284) as hits allowed (128).

2001: Randy Johnson's strikeout to hits ratio

In 2001, Randy Johnson had 372 strikeouts and 181 hits, becoming the second MLB starting pitcher to have more than twice as many strikeouts in a season as hits allowed.

2001: Kerry Wood's Record

In a May 19 start versus the Dodgers, Max Scherzer struck out 13, including dispatching his 100th of the season in 63 innings. It eclipsed Kerry Wood's record for fewest innings to reach 100 strikeouts with 65+2⁄3 which happened in 2001.

2005: Big 12 Pitcher of the Year

In 2005, Max Scherzer won the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Award as a sophomore with the University of Missouri.

2009: Consistent Starts Each Season

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

June 8, 2010: Strasburg's Nationals record

On June 8, 2010, Stephen Strasburg recorded 14 strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates, setting the Nationals team record that Scherzer would later surpass.

2011: Tigers win AL Central Title

In 2011, Max Scherzer helped the Detroit Tigers win the first of four consecutive American League Central titles.

2011: Zimmermann's immaculate inning

In 2011, Zimmermann pitched an immaculate inning versus the Florida Marlins, the first in Nationals' history.

January 9, 2012: Inducted into University of Missouri Hall of Fame

On January 9, 2012, Max Scherzer was 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: AL Pennant with Detroit

In 2012, Max Scherzer won the American League (AL) pennant with the Detroit Tigers, but they lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

July 3, 2013: 13-0 Start

On July 3, 2013, Max Scherzer became the first major league starter to begin a season 13-0 since Roger Clemens in 1986.

2013: All-Star Selection and Start

In 2013, Max Scherzer was selected by player vote to represent the American League in the All-Star Game, his first major league All-Star selection, and was chosen by Jim Leyland as the AL's starting pitcher. He pitched a perfect inning.

2013: Cy Young Award

In 2013, Max Scherzer won the AL Cy Young Award, Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher, and the Baseball Digest Pitcher of the Year after finishing the regular season with a 21-3 record, league-leading 0.97 WHIP, 2.90 ERA, and a career-high 240 strikeouts.

2014: Tigers Win Fourth Consecutive AL Central Title

In 2014, Max Scherzer helped the Detroit Tigers win their fourth consecutive American League Central title.

June 14, 2015: Scherzer's near perfect game

On June 14, 2015, Max Scherzer pitched his second career complete game, a 4-0 shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers. He lost his perfect game bid in the seventh inning, finishing with a one-hitter and a career-high 16 strikeouts.

2015: Accumulated the 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: Multiple No-Hitters in a Single Season

In 2015, Max Scherzer became the fifth pitcher in Major League history to record multiple no-hitters in a single season.

2015: Scherzer's Second No-Hitter of the Season

On October 3, 2015, Max Scherzer achieved his second career no-hitter, and second of the season, versus the Mets, striking out a new career-high 17 batters with no walks. It was debated as one of the greatest pitching performances of all time.

May 11, 2016: Tied Major League Strikeout Record

On May 11, 2016, Max Scherzer tied the major league nine-inning single-game strikeout record with 20 strikeouts in a game against the Detroit Tigers. He also became the youngest 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, securing his second Cy Young Award based on a 20–7 record, 2.96 ERA, MLB-leading 284 strikeouts, and an MLB-leading 0.968 WHIP.

2017: Accumulated the 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: 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: Second NL Cy Young Award

In 2017, Max Scherzer won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award and made his fifth National League All-Star Team appearance with the Nationals.

2017: End of Season Awards and Hall of Fame

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

2018: Graded top pitcher by Sports Illustrated

Before the 2018 season, Max Scherzer was graded as the top pitcher and fourth-best overall player in baseball by Sports Illustrated, following Trout, Jose Altuve, and Kris Bryant.

2018: 2018 Season Stats

For the 2018 season, Max Scherzer was 18–7 with a 2.53 ERA. He threw 3,493 pitches, more than any other major league pitcher. He finished second in Cy Young Award voting, behind Jacob deGrom.

2018: Consistent Starts Each Season

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

2018: Selected as the NL starting pitcher in the All-Star Game

In 2018, Max Scherzer was selected as the NL starting pitcher in the All-Star Game, played at Nationals Park, for his third starting assignment. He also got his 200th regular season strikeout on July 27 versus the Marlins, to gridlock with Walter Johnson and Roger Clemens with seven consecutive seasons of 200 or more strikeouts.

2018: Scherzer narrowly misses strikeout/hit feat

In 2018, Scherzer recorded 300 strikeouts and allowed only 150 hits, narrowly missing the rare feat of having more than twice as many strikeouts as hits allowed.

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: World Series Win with the Nationals

In 2019, Max Scherzer won the World Series with the Washington Nationals. He earned a win in Game 1 and started Game 7, contributing to the Nationals' first championship.

2019: Cole and Verlander achieve rare feat

In 2019, both Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander had more than twice as many strikeouts as hits allowed, joining an exclusive group of pitchers.

September 12, 2021: Joined the 3,000 Strikeout Club

On September 12, 2021, Max Scherzer joined the 3,000 strikeout club and has struck out the 11th most all-time.

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

In 2022, as a free agent, Max Scherzer signed with the New York Mets and was named to the All-MLB Team at the conclusion of the season.

2023: Played in the Postseason and won the World Series with the Rangers

After being reactivated, Scherzer started three postseason games in 2023: Games 3 and 7 of the ALCS and Game 3 of the World Series. Despite being shut down again due to back pain, the Rangers went on to win their first World Series title.

2023: Elite Pitcher Accomplishments

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 Win with the Rangers

In 2023, Max Scherzer won the World Series with the Texas Rangers. He started Games 3 and 7 of the ALCS and Game 3 of the World Series, contributing to the Rangers' first championship.