'I Thought He Was Gonna Kill Me': Blue Jays Manager John Schneider on Mound Visit With Max Scherzer
Toronto Blue Jays star Max Scherzer is going viral after barking at his manager during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners.
Scherzer, aptly nicknamed Mad Max, had the sports world buzzing after Blue Jays manager John Schneider paid him a mound visit. Scherzer, 41, did not appreciate it one bit, and he made it known loud and clear.
After Schneider strolled from the dugout to the mound, Scherzer looked visibly annoyed before he got in his manager's face and yelled, imploring Schneider to let him stay in the game and finish the inning.
Max Scherzer was NOT coming out of this game ????
— MLB (@MLB) October 17, 2025
Facing his next hitter, he picks up the strikeout to end the 5th! pic.twitter.com/EbVoGMOno8
The mound visit was quick, and Schneider obliged. To Scherzer's credit, he finished the inning with a strikeout. What's more, Scherzer barked again at his manager as he walked down the dugout steps.
Scherzer pitched 5.2 innings and allowed only three hits and two earned runs. He struck out five to help the Blue Jays tie the ALCS, 2-2, with the series heading back to Toronto.
"I thought he was gonna kill me, it was great"
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 17, 2025
John Schneider talked about his mound visit with Max Scherzer in the 5th inning ???? pic.twitter.com/LuEf5HZgOg
"I know I wanted the ball... and I basically told [John Schneider] that in a little bit different language." ????
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 17, 2025
Vintage Max Scherzer was on full display tonight. He joined the show to talk about his outing, the mound visit with John Schneider, Vlad Jr., and more. pic.twitter.com/7fxVoI1io8
“When the manager tried to take him out of the game…. WOW!”
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 17, 2025
The crew talk about Max Scherzer’s gutsy performance in the Blue Jays 8-2 win in Seattle pic.twitter.com/sX4eple44B
After the game, Scherzer's antics are all anyone wanted to talk about. Fox Sports reporter Tom Verducci asked George Springer about it, and MLB Network's Jon Morosi asked Alejandro Kirk to give him the scoop.
At his postgame press conference, Schneider fielded the same questions from reporters.
"The way he pitches. You can see it on his face. [He's] like 'I want to punch this guy.'" ????
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 17, 2025
Alejandro Kirk took @jonmorosi inside John Schneider's mound visit with Max Scherzer in the 5th inning. https://t.co/0cCTTyGhOl pic.twitter.com/YnPCAAzTnT
“I thought he was gonna kill me, it was great,” Schneider said. “He locked eyes with me, both colors, as I walked out.”
Scherzer joined the FS1 crew, and it was Derek Jeter who asked Scherzer about it.
"All of a sudden I see [Schneider] coming out, and it kind of caught me off guard," he said. "It's one of those moments where I know I wanted the ball. I knew the situation of the game. I wanted the ball. I basically told him that in a little bit different language."
For what it's worth, Scherzer has the resume for these kinds of antics. He's a two-time World Series champion, three-time Cy Young winner, and an eight-time All-Star selection.
Dude's a winner.
And a competitor, obviously.