Max Scherzer

Lore & Background

Max Scherzer arrived in Washington via a seven-year, $210 million contract in January 2015, instantly elevating the Nationals' rotation. His first season with the club was historic: he threw two no-hitters, including a 17-strikeout gem against the Mets on June 20, 2015, and a second no-no on October 3, 2015, against the Phillies. That year, he won the National League Cy Young Award, the first of three he would earn with the Nationals (2016, 2017). Scherzer's signature intensity—often seen screaming on the mound or staring down batters—made him a fan favorite and a feared opponent.

In Their Own Story

The late October air was cold, but Scherzer's eyes burned hotter than the stadium lights. Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. He had already pitched five innings on short rest, his body screaming, but he refused to leave. With the Nationals trailing, he struck out the side in the sixth, then handed the ball to the bullpen. Hours later, when the final out was caught, Scherzer stood in the chaos of the clubhouse, champagne dripping from his beard, a World Series ring finally his. For a man who had chased greatness his whole career, this was the moment that defined his legacy in Washington.

Reader's Guide

Max Scherzer's era with the Nationals (2015–2021) was a golden age of pitching. His playing style combined overpowering velocity with a sharp slider and a devastating changeup, all delivered with relentless aggression. He led the league in strikeouts multiple times and was known for his durability, often pitching deep into games. His greatest achievements include winning three Cy Young Awards with the Nationals, throwing two no-hitters in 2015, and being the ace of the 2019 World Series championship team. Scherzer's legacy is that of a fierce competitor who elevated the franchise to its first title, and his number 31 was retired by the Nationals in 2022, a testament to his enduring impact.

Did You Know?

• Scherzer is one of only two pitchers in MLB history to throw two no-hitters in a single season (2015).
• He won the Cy Young Award in three consecutive seasons with the Nationals (2016, 2017, and 2018).
• Scherzer's heterochromia is caused by a condition called Waardenburg syndrome, which affects his eye color.
• He was the starting pitcher for the Nationals in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series, pitching five innings on short rest.