Rangers star pitcher Max Scherzer returned to Citi Field for a clash against the Mets for the first time since he was traded by the franchise at the 2023 MLB trade deadline.
It wasn’t a warm welcome from fans in Queens for the 39-year-old. The organization prepared a video tribute ahead of the clash at Citi Field, but it doesn’t seem the fanbase had any interest in celebrating its former pitcher.
When the video tribute began to play, a chorus of boos could be heard cascading across the stadium, making it abundantly clear how the fans, at least those in attendance, feel about Scherzer.
The Mets made a tribute video for Max Scherzer’s return to Citi Field and fans were booing pic.twitter.com/ztcdWobO4Z
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 28, 2023
Scherzer spent two seasons in New York before being dealt at this year’s trade deadline. He made 42 starts for the franchise, logging a 3.02 ERA with 294 strikeouts in 253 innings. In 2023, he owned a 4.01 ERA across 19 appearances before being shipped to Texas.
Following his trade to the Rangers, Scherzer opened up on the Mets’ looming retooling plans, indicating he was informed the team isn’t expecting to be competitive until 2025 or 2026.
It seems his comments have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Mets fans, who expressed their dissatisfaction with him during Monday’s matchup.
Scherzer isn’t scheduled to pitch during Texas’ three-game series in Queens. The 39-year-old pitched Saturday against the Twins and forecasts to be on the mound again on Friday, Sept. 1, the day after the series against the Mets, also against Minnesota.
