Washington Nationals: Scherzer’s perfect response to passing Cy Young

With his ten strikeout performance, Max Scherzer passed Cy Young and comfortably sits 22nd on all-time strikeout list. He shouldn’t get too comfortable though, he won’t be there long. In the upcoming month he could conceivably pass three more names on the list in Mike Mussina, Mickey Lolich and Jim Bunning. None of those guys carry the same prestige as the pitcher he passed most recently. The guy who the award for best pitcher in baseball any given season is named after.

This is why the response Scherzer gave to Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez when told of his feat was classic.

Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer passed Cy Young on the all-time strikeout list and had the perfect response afterwards.

We have become accustomed to Mad Max chewing through opposing lineups with ease every fifth day. The grunts, the stares, the stomps, the intensity, all part of the package. Oh, and the strikeouts as well.

“Yeah, I have three of those on my wall.” Downplaying the moment? Aloof? Making a joke? The response was perfect, from one of the game’s biggest competitors. Scherzer understands he has a job to do each time he takes the mound. Whenever he is given the ball, he intends on keeping it until his powerful right arm can’t deliver any more strikes.

In the moment, Scherzer thinks of one thing. Winning. At all costs. Striking hitters out is just a side-note. Climbing all-time lists, just a formality. Once the chalk lines are re-manicured and Kyle Schwarber’s jersey has dried after his water bottle bath, Scherzer will sit back and acknowledge his handy work. A true historian of the game, he understands the significance of his accomplishment.

Be on the lookout for a formal, structured statement tomorrow when he hits the zoom room. As for know, his reply was fitting for the moment.