ARLINGTON, Texas — Max Scherzer keeps his 2023 World Series ring from the Texas Rangers in a safe at home. He told Abby Jones of DLLS Sports about the ring during the Toronto Blue Jays’ Sept. 18-20 series at Globe Life Field.
Scherzer made 17 regular-season starts for Texas across 2023 and 2024, plus three more during the 2023 postseason. That October, the Rangers went 11-0 on the road.
“It was funny how it all just clicked,” Scherzer said. “Then we get into postseason, we’re just playing great ball, and then we’re on the road just being road warriors and beating everybody. So when you make one of those postseason runs, it’s magical, and we definitely had that.”
Max Scherzer’s Path From Deadline Trade To 2023 Title
On July 30, 2023, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young, then the club’s general manager, acquired Scherzer from the New York Mets. As part of the deal, Scherzer waived his no-trade clause and opted into his 2024 player option.
He made his Texas debut Aug. 3, 2023, against the Chicago White Sox at Globe Life Field and earned the win. He went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA in eight regular-season starts for the Rangers that year.
A strained teres major muscle in his right shoulder sidelined Scherzer on Sept. 12, 2023. He returned in October to start Games 3 and 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros. In Game 3 of the World Series at Arizona, he threw three scoreless innings before leaving with back spasms.
Across his three postseason starts for Texas, Scherzer went 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.
The ring has not left his home since.
“I got it home. It’s in a safe,” Scherzer explained.
He said the ring weighs about as much as a baseball.
Max Scherzer’s 2024 Season And Return To Arlington
Scherzer’s first 2024 rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock came on April 24. A nerve issue then sidelined him until two more rehab starts on June 9 and June 15. When he made his season debut that June, he threw five scoreless innings. He finished 2024 with a 2-4 record and a 3.95 ERA in nine starts.
He left Texas in free agency after that season and has pitched the last two years for Toronto. He re-signed with the Blue Jays in February on a one-year, $3 million contract.
“It’s always great to come back,” Scherzer said. “There’s a lot of moments here where you just relive those games that we played and that World Series run. Those are just things you never forget.”
“My time here, it’s a little shorter than I would have liked. I loved it here,” Scherzer continued. “But like I said, I’ve got great memories here.”
Scherzer did not pitch in the series, which Texas won two games to one. He is scheduled to start Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday at 12:35 p.m. CT. The Rangers (78-78) hold a one-game lead in the AL West and are playing their final home series against the Mets this week.
