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New York Mets: Max Scherzer harming international relations

By David Hill

May 13, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) reacts after hitting Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France (not pictured) with a pitch during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) reacts after hitting Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France (not pictured) with a pitch during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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No one will ever be able to claim that Max Scherzer is easily distracted. The New York Mets pitcher is known for being locked in from the moment he takes the mound until it is time to depart the game, focused on executing every pitch. This has helped Scherzer become a future Hall of Famer and remain on top of his game despite being in his late 30s.

His being locked in and able to ignore everything else around him was evident on Friday night. Scherzer immediately headed to the mound before the game to warm up when his music came on, ensuring that the ceremonial first pitch did not happen.

New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer causes international incident (not really)

The Mets had been celebrating Japanese Heritage Night on Friday, with Mikio Mori slated to throw that first pitch. Mori is the Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations, a high ranking official in their government. That had to be embarrassing for the Mets organization.

But this is entirely not Scherzer’s fault. The promotion on Friday was not included in their calendar and was only known because of a tweet sent out by the team that morning. Chances are, he had no idea this was even going to happen.

Likewise, when Mori was sent to throw out the first pitch, the timing was wrong. The ceremonial first pitch typically takes place around ten minutes before the game begins, allowing the festivities to take place and the players to still warm up. The grounds crew is still able to take care of those last minute adjustments.

Instead, Mori headed out to throw that pitch just as Scherzer was ready to start warming up. He was not even announced until Scherzer was on the mound, showing extremely poor planning on the Mets’ part. Scherzer, meanwhile, was locked in on his job – to be ready to pitch and dominate.

Hopefully, the Mets make this up to Mori. While it is easy to poke fun and say that Scherzer provoked an international incident, this is not his fault. It is not Mori’s fault either. The Mets should have been much better at making certain everyone was on the same page and that something so commonplace and simple as the ceremonial first pitch was not bungled this badly.

dark. Next. Discussing the minors with Colby Morris

It is easy to say that Max Scherzer caused an international incident when he did not let the ceremonial first pitch happen. The blame lies on the New York Mets.

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