Mets fans jeered Max Scherzer upon his return to New York
Just a few weeks after his July 29 trade from the Mets to the Texas Rangers, Max Scherzer returned to New York on Monday.
The atmosphere among Mets supporters could have been friendlier.
On the Citi Field video screen before the game’s opening pitch, the Mets paid respect to Scherzer. From the spectators, there was a cacophony of booing. A live image of Max Scherzer from the Rangers bench received the lion’s share of their fury. The welcome was met with a smile from Scherzer.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion pitcher Max Scherzer, who played for the Mets, wasn’t always at his best. He was no slouch, though. Scherzer threw 253 innings with New York throughout 1 1/2 seasons, compiling a 3.02 ERA, 1.028 WHIP, 294 strikeouts, and 54 walks. He made 42 starts and went 20-9.
But despite great hopes, the Mets under his leadership fell short of those goals, and his exit at the trade deadline marked the end of an expensive project that was supposed to result in a World Series contender.
Instead, the Mets in 2023 will have one playoff victory, which came in a wild-card game against the San Diego Padres, and they will be in last place in the NL East. Therefore, the Mets’ fan base may not be overjoyed by Scherzer’s return.
By surrendering his no-trade clause, Max Scherzer gave the go-ahead to leave New York while raising concerns about the team’s commitment to short-term success. On his way out, he was open and told reporters that Steve Cohen, the Mets’ team owner and general manager, had said the team didn’t expect to be competitive for several seasons.
Speaking to the media before the game on Monday, Scherzer expressed regret over his pitching performance when playing for the Mets. His ERA increased to 4.01 in 19 starts this season as the Mets lost their chance to make the postseason.
“I know specifically—myself, this year—I wish I would have pitched better.” “I don’t like to point fingers unless I’m pointing fingers at myself. I definitely can point my finger at myself.”
Max Scherzer
Additionally, he stated that, in his opinion,
“Eppler and Cohen “are doing the right things to build a championship ball club in the future.”
In the short time he was in Texas, Scherzer returned to his old self. He has started five games with the Rangers and is 3-1 with a 2.64 ERA and a 0.913 WHIP. Given that Scherzer is playing this week, Mets fans are unlikely to get to voice their opinions. The three-game series that ends on Wednesday is not slated to have him make the opening pitch.
