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 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

1900: Longest expanse without a complete game

Since 1900, no major league starter had gone as long without a complete game as Max Scherzer did before June 12, 2014.

1908: Historic Performance in June

In June 2019, Max Scherzer went 6-0 over six starts. 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: 11-0 Start

In 1909 George Mullin had a 11-0 start.

1914: First to assemble three-game scores of 97 or higher

Since 1914, Max Scherzer became the first to assemble three-game scores of 97 or higher in one season during the 2015 season.

1918: Other pitchers to carry out three-game scores of 95 or more

Ryan and Walter Johnson in 1918 were the only two other pitchers to carry out three-game scores of 95 or more in one season. Max Scherzer assembled three-game scores of 97 or higher in the 2015 season.

1920: Historic Performance in June

In June 2019, Max Scherzer went 6-0 over six starts. He 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 sets strikeout record

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

1962: Los Angeles Dodgers' Pete Richert

In 1962 the Los Angeles Dodgers' Pete Richert set the record of 12 consecutive batters retired for a pitcher making his MLB debut as a reliever.

1970: Tom Seaver's Strikeout Record

In 1970, Tom Seaver set the Major League record by striking out ten consecutive batters. Max Scherzer struck out nine consecutive Mets in 2015, just one shy of the record.

April 20, 1986: MLB Record

The Pittsburgh Pirates' Barry Jones had eight strikeouts on April 20, 1986.

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.

1990: Nolan Ryan's game score

Nolan Ryan had a game score of at least 97 in 1990. Max Scherzer achieved the same feat twice in 2015.

1991: Bill Gullickson reaches 20 wins

In 1991, Bill Gullickson was the last Tigers pitcher to reach 20 wins before Justin Verlander in 2011, and Max Scherzer in 2013.

2000: Pedro Martinez leads strikeouts

Pedro Martinez led with 284 strikeouts in 2000.

2000: Pedro Martinez's game score

Pedro Martínez had a game score of at least 97 in 2000. Max Scherzer achieved the same feat twice in 2015.

2001: Kerry Wood's Record

In 2018, Max Scherzer struck out 13 Dodgers, including dispatching his 100th of the season in 63 innings, eclipsing Kerry Wood's record for fewest innings to reach 100 strikeouts with 65+2⁄3 which happened in 2001.

2001: Randy Johnson leads strikeouts

Randy Johnson led with 372 strikeouts in 2001.

2005: Big 12 Pitcher of the Year

In 2005, Max Scherzer won the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Award.

2007: Ranked Fourth-Best Prospect

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

2009: Established Yankee Stadium Record

On May 8, 2021, Max Scherzer established a record by an opposing pitcher of the then-current iteration of Yankee Stadium, opened in 2009, by striking out 14 Yankees.

June 8, 2010: Strasburg sets strikeout record

On June 8, 2010, Stephen Strasburg set a Nationals team record of 14 strikeouts in one game, versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Max Scherzer surpassed this record in 2015 with 16 strikeouts.

2011: Central Title with the Tigers

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

2011: Justin Verlander reaches 20 wins

In 2011, Justin Verlander reached 20 wins, being the last Tigers pitcher to do so before Max Scherzer in 2013.

2011: Zimmermann pitches immaculate inning

In 2011, Zimmermann pitched an immaculate inning versus the Florida Marlins, being the first in Nationals' history, followed by Scherzer's versus Philadelphia in 2017.

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.

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 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.

2014: Central Title with the Tigers

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

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: 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 with leading K:BB ratio

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. He also led all major league pitchers in first-strike percentage (73.3%).

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.

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: 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.

May 14, 2017: Scherzer pitches immaculate inning

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

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: NL Cy Young Award

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

2018: Graded Top Pitcher

Before the 2018 season, Sports Illustrated graded Max Scherzer as the top pitcher and the fourth-best overall player in baseball.

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.

2018: Finished Second in Cy Young Award Voting

In 2018, Max Scherzer finished with an 18–7 record and a 2.53 ERA. He threw more pitches than any other major league pitcher and finished second in Cy Young Award voting.

2018: Scherzer records strikeouts

In 2018, Max Scherzer recorded 300 strikeouts.

2019: Cole and Verlander accomplish strikeout record

Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander accomplished a strikeout record in 2019.

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: World Series Win with the Nationals

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

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.

September 12, 2021: Joined 3,000 Strikeout Club

On September 12, 2021, Max Scherzer joined the 3,000 strikeout club.

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.

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.

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 the All-MLB Team

At the conclusion of the 2022 season, after signing with the Mets as a free agent, Scherzer was named to the All-MLB Team.

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: 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: 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.