Max Scherzer Expresses Heartbreak After Game 7 Loss

Emotions ran high in the Toronto Blue Jays locker room following their 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7, with pitcher Max Scherzer at the center of it all. The veteran, aged 41, faced the media after the game, visibly shaken and wiping away tears as he reflected on both the match and his career.

“I’m 41 years old and I never thought I could love baseball this much,” Scherzer shared, his voice thick with emotion. “My love for the game was so strong because of their love for the game.” His words resonated deeply, highlighting the bond he felt with his teammates.

“That loss is so tough because you’re so close to everybody. This team had that closeness, had that camaraderie. We had that passion not only for the game but for each other,” he added, emphasizing the unity within the squad.

Scherzer took the mound as the starting pitcher for this decisive game, a choice that Blue Jays manager John Schneider deemed obvious. “When we told [Scherzer] Game 3, he immediately said, ‘Ok so 3 and 7,’” Schneider recounted before the game, illustrating Scherzer’s readiness and commitment.

Schneider further praised Scherzer’s impact on the team, stating, “What he’s meant to this group has been a lot. Not just from a pitching standpoint but from a culture standpoint... He’s as competitive as anyone I’ve ever seen; he really supports his teammates.”

During his time on the mound, Scherzer pitched 4.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out three batters. He exited the game with the Blue Jays leading 3-1, receiving a standing ovation from the Toronto crowd. In a moment of gratitude, he saluted fans and pounded his chest as he returned to the dugout.

Post-game, Scherzer expressed uncertainty about his future but affirmed that he has not thrown his last pitch. “The only thing I can say is it’s going to take some time to give a full answer to that but there is no way that was my last pitch,” he stated, hinting at his desire to continue playing.

This offseason will see Scherzer enter free agency, joining fellow Blue Jays pitchers Chris Bassitt and Shane Bieber, along with shortstop Bo Bichette, all of whom are also set to hit the market.

A two-time World Series champion, Scherzer fell short of securing a third title this season. He previously won championships in 2019 with the Washington Nationals and in 2023 with the Texas Rangers. Additionally, he has earned three Cy Young Awards, recognizing him as one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball.

Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, Scherzer was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2009, where he spent five seasons before signing with the Washington Nationals in 2015. After brief stints with the Dodgers, New York Mets, and Rangers, he joined the Blue Jays on a one-year contract prior to this season.