Max Scherzer's exchange with John Schneider in potential final start perfectly sums up 'Mad Max' career

Saturday officially marked the end of the ride for one legendary MLB starting pitcher, Justin Verlander. Things were less clear on Sunday — but it very well may have been the final time Max Scherzer took the mound.

Scherzer made it clear he wanted to take the ball for the Blue Jays in Game No. 162 despite nothing of consequence being on the line, with the 42-year-old mulling his baseball future. After a season full of injuries and the highest ERA (6.14) of his career, Scherzer was an MLB starter on Sunday for perhaps the last time.

If Sunday was the end of the ride, it was as perfect of an ending as possible for one of baseball's most intense pitchers ever. Scherzer wound up throwing 114 pitches over seven innings, even arguing with manager John Schneider to stay in the game in true "Mad Max" style.

Here's a look at the moments from Scherzer's potential last MLB start and what he's said about his future.

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Max Scherzer has exchange with John Schneider in potential final start

Scherzer hasn't made things official on his future, but with his age, ineffectiveness in 2026 and the grind of a baseball season, it certainly wouldn't be surprising for him to call it a career soon. So for his potential last start, there were plenty of emotions for both the pitcher and fans.

He allowing one run over seven innings with seven strikeouts.

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2026

In the top of the seventh with two outs, Scherzer reached 104 pitches, already pushing the limit compared to what he's grown accustomed to at this point in his career. Schneider made his way to the mound.

But as he has to most of his MLB managers, Scherzer refused to exit. The veteran pitcher was seen intensely pleading his case with Schneider, who let in and jogged back to the bench.

He finished with 114 pitches, his most in a game since 2020.

Max Scherzer was NOT coming out of this game! 😤 pic.twitter.com/W1rLRiP3S5

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2026

Schneider did allow Scherzer to come back out for the eighth inning, but it wasn't long before he had his moment in front of Toronto fans. Scherzer was far more willing to give the ball up the second time around, smiling as he embraced his manager.

After hugs from his teammates, he tipped his hat to the crowd and walked to the dugout.

Max Scherzer leaves the mound to a standing ovation for what could be the final time in his legendary career 👏 pic.twitter.com/JhkKYe1lRc

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2026

He finished behind Verlander on the all-time strikeouts list — at least for now — at No. 9.

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 27, 2026

Is Max Scherzer returning in 2027?

Scherzer recently said he plans to wait until the offseason to make an official retirement decision.

If he does return in 2027, whether with the Blue Jays or another team as he hits free agency, it would be his 20th MLB season.

"I've talked to everybody in my inner circle, and we all kind of feel the same way," Scherzer said, per ESPN. "We don't need to make a decision today. Get to the offseason and just see how things unfold."

Scherzer has also acknowledged that baseball's impending lockout and labor negotiations could alter his own plans.

"We've also got a lot of uncertainty next year with all the labor issues," Scherzer said. "So you just don't know how the season's going to happen or unfold, or what opportunity is going to be in front of me."