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A first-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, Max Scherzer is a no-doubt Cooperstown man. He built his case for the Hall once he left the desert for the Motor City in December, 2009.

In 2010 Scherzer set a new career high for wins in a single season. The following year he did it again to help push the Tigers to the American League Championship Series. This began a run of 9 postseason appearances in 11 years.

In 2013 Scherzer went 21-3 to capture the first of three Cy Young Awards. He again led the AL in wins in 2014 and finished 5th in Cy Young balloting. In the offseason he signed a 7-year, $210M contract with the Washington Nationals.

Scherzer continued his strong showing in the nation’s capital. In 2015, his first in D.C., Scherzer became the sixth pitcher in big league history to throw two no-hitters in one season. Then in 2016 he led the league in wins and strikeouts. Along the way he mixed in a record-tying 20-strikeout performance to earn his second Cy Young nod.

Scherzer backed that up with his second straight – and third overall – Cy Young Award in 2017. His highest single-season WAR total came in 2018 when he entered an exclusive club of hurlers to strike out 300 or more batters in a season.

The right-hander enjoyed his 7th consecutive All Star campaign in 2019. It also marked his 7th straight top-5 finish in Cy Young voting. The year was capped off with a World Series title. He finished the decade of the 2010’s as the majors’ leader in wins (161) and strikeouts (2,452).

At age 35 by 2020, Scherzer had plenty left to add to his Cooperstown resumé. In 2021 he recorded his 3,000th career strikeout; the following year he topped the 200-win plateau. As he enters the twilight of his career, Scherzer remains effective. Chasing another ring, he signed a two-year, $86.67M contract with the New York Mets in December, 2021.

Looking at Bill James’ Similarity Scores, the two hurlers most like Scherzer are Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Roy Halladay. Also on the list are future Cooperstown men Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, and Zack Greinke.

In the collection is this Allen & Ginter card of Max Scherzer. His signature that adorns the card is certified as authentic by PSA/DNA.

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Max Scherzer is known as one of the best pitchers of his generation A workhorse by reputation, he averaged 32 starts and more than 200 innings per year in his first ten full big league seasons.

Despite his willingness to take the ball, Scherzer waited until his eighth year in the majors to twirl a complete game. His 178 starts to begin his career without a CG set the big league record. That streak ended on June 12, 2014.

Shown above is the lineup card from his first complete game – a three-hit shutout. An MLB hologram in the bottom right corner confirms that the lineup card was that of Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.

Few would’ve predicted this would be his day. In his previous four starts the right-hander allowed 20 runs in 26 1/3 innings. There was no indication Scherzer would be effective, let alone last the duration.

It was a pleasant night at U.S. Cellular Field with temperatures in the low 70s. A crowd of 20,626 looked on as Scherzer was dominant. He made 113 pitches – 73 for strikes – and struck out 8 as he went the distance for the victory. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner allowed just three Chicago baserunners to reach scoring position.

The piece of baseball history shown here lists Mad Max as the Detroit pitcher that night and includes Miguel Cabrera hitting third in the Tigers lineup. Miggy helped his teammate by driving in two of Detroit’s four runs.

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The Cy Young Award was originated in 1956 to recognize pitching excellence. Through 1966 it was given to the singular best twirler in the major leagues. Then in 1967, it was expanded to honor a pitcher in each league.

Through the award’s first 70 years 22 pitchers earned multiple nods. Half of them picked up the honor a third time.

Max Scherzer is one of the 11 to capture the Cy at least three times. Baseball writers bestowed it to the ace three times in five years starting in 2013. During a 7-year run from 2013-2019 Scherzer finished in the top-5 of Cy Young balloting every single season. In addition to winning the award three times, he had a second and third-place finish and two fifth-place campaigns.

Roger Clemens is the most-decorated recipient with 7 Cy Young plaques. Left-hander Randy Johnson is next with 5 nods. A pair of Cooperstown men, Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux won four each. Along with Scherzer, Sandy Koufax, Tom Seaver, Jim Palmer, Pedro Martinez, Justin Verlander, and Clayton Kershaw have three each.

In the collection is the official document from Major League Baseball that Kershaw signed to collect the first of his 8 All Star rings. The 2011 season was a magical one for the Dodger who earned pitching’s Triple Crown with 21 wins, 2.28 ERA, and 248 strikeouts. By season’s end he earned the first of his three Cy Young Awards.

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Max Scherzer’s decorated big league career included four All Star starts and six appearances overall. Pitching against the game’s best players, Scherzer was outstanding. His stingy 1.29 ERA included just one run in 7 innings of work. The lone blemish came via an Aaron Judge solo home run in 2018.

Shown here is a ticket for admission to Minnesota’s Target Field for the 2014 Mid Summer Classic. It is signed by the game’s Most Valuable Player, Mike Trout. Both the ticket and the autograph are authenticated by PSA/DNA. Scherzer struck out two batters in his lone inning to earn the win, his only in All Star competition.

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