First rule of a Max Scherzer start day: Don't talk to Max Scherzer
Photo credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays players share why you never try to talk to Max Scherzer on his start day.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino has been a temporary World Series correspondent for the World Series coverage for the past few days, and he asked Blue Jays players some interesting questions about Max Scherzer's pre-game routine on his start days.
Pasquantino asked Shane Bieber if he talks to him on game day:
"No. I actually knew that before I came over here. [Blue Jays] THANK GOD."
Pasquantino asked Vladimir Guerrero Jr the same question:
"NO. Pasquantino: Does he scare you on his start days? Guerrero: YES."
Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman gave the most definitive answer:
"You can talk to him before he puts his headphones on. If you try to talk to him after he puts his headphones on...He will kill you."
Max Scherzer will start Game 3 for the Blue Jays on Monday night.
The first rule of a Max Scherzer start day: Don't talk to Max Scherzer 🤣
The first rule of a Max Scherzer start day: Don't talk to Max Scherzer 🤣
Pasquantino wanted to ask Mad Max about it himself, but admitted that he was too scared to interview him.
Max Scherzer is an absolute psychopath and I love it
Max Scherzer will pitch in his fourth World Series in Game 3 Monday night
With a gritty pitching performance and one of the more memorable mound visits in recent memory, it took Scherzer just one Blue Jays playoff start to make a lasting impression.
For his second act, the stakes are even higher: a matchup against Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series.
Now 41, Scherzer will become the first player to pitch for four teams in the World Series (he also appeared in the Fall Classic with the 2012 Tigers, the 2019 Nationals and the 2023 Rangers).
But whenever he's been asked to compare this team to previous clubs he's pitched for his answer has been consistent: regardless of his age, every chance to compete against the best hitters in the world inspires him as a competitor.
«I mean, this is what you play for,» he said over the weekend. «To be able to get to this spot, to get to this moment, to have a shot at it. You just think about all, throughout your whole life all the different things that have unfolded, and just so fortunate to have another crack at this.»
As Scherzer points out, many great players never get the chance to play in a World Series, a group including Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Frank Thomas and current Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly.
That knowledge humbles Scherzer, who covered 5.2 innings while allowing two runs and striking out five in his ALCS win.
«I absolutely respect playing in a World Series,» he said. «And absolutely cherish these opportunities. So, yeah, when I get a chance to get the ball, man, this means everything.»
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