Dodgers: AJ Pollock’s funny comment shows how much of a beast Max Scherzer is
![SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 26: Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 26, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdodgersway-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2021-2F09-2F1234888553-850x560-777d13bb6bb38d7f3d8837c71a51f1b9.jpg)
Don’t mess with Max Scherzer when he’s in the zone. That’s what his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates have quickly learned over the last month since he was acquired at the trade deadline in a blockbuster deal with the Washington Nationals.
Scherzer last appeared on the mound Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. He didn’t get the win, but he tossed six scoreless frames and the Dodgers finished off the job for the series sweep.
Why was he removed after six innings and 76 pitches, you ask? We weren’t sure at first, which caused Dodgers fans to lose their minds, but we learned after the game that Scherzer was dealing with hamstring tightness and manager Dave Roberts didn’t want to push it.
Smart move. LA won anyway. And potentially preserved Scherzer in the process. According to AJ Pollock, however, it hardly seemed as if Scherzer was bothered by anything. The ace was in the zone and was so intense that his teammates knew to keep their distance.
Pollock said he didn't realize Scherzer had the hamstring issue until afterward: "He’s a bulldog out there. He started giving us fist bumps, and we’re instructed don’t touch him, don’t look at him until he’s done."
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 2, 2021
Dodgers pitcher Max Scherzer sounds like an absolute maniac when he’s on the mound.
While it’s not a surprise, it’s still cool to know THIS is the energy he’s bringing to the mound every single night. Don’t you dare interrupt his focus, either! Remember this against the Dodgers a few years back? We were scared he was going to explode right there on the mound.
“@TheFakeESPN: Max Scherzer was talking to himself while pitching last night. pic.twitter.com/FTuT88PsmC” @Boyer3183
— Devin Burks (@DevinBurks) June 7, 2017
How energized do you think he is to be on a World Series contender after two straight disappointing years with the Nats following their title run in 2019? He’s got an all-world offense behind him as well as Walker Buehler and Julio Urias alongside him in the rotation … with Clayton Kershaw hopefully returning soon.
And don’t forget arguably the best executive in the sport! Andrew Friedman will not be shy when the offseason arrives and the veteran needs a new contract.
Since Max Scherzer made his #Dodgers debut (NL Ranks)
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) September 1, 2021
41 strikeouts (2nd)
1.95 FIP (2nd)
31.3 K-BB% (2nd)
1.55 ERA (3rd)
0.83 WHIP (5th)
.178 AVG (6th) pic.twitter.com/Fwkec2H8dz
They don’t call him Mad Max for nothing. That’s what you’re paying for. The intensity. The leadership. The knowledge. The desire. Look inside the Dodgers dugout on any given night and you’ll see him chatting it up with his teammates, especially the younger ones, likely imparting valuable wisdom upon them.
But that’s when he’s not pitching. Don’t ask the man for advice when he’s seeing red, or the bulldog might be unleashed on you. It seems the Dodgers understood that right off the bat based on Pollock’s comments.