The New York Mets faced off against the Texas Rangers on Monday in the first time that star pitcher Max Scherzer has returned to Citi Field since being traded by the Mets. And fans certainly didn’t make Scherzer feel at home throughout the game.
Scherzer did not take the field in Monday’s game, but the Mets held a tribute video celebrating Scherzer’s tenure with the organization before the first pitch of the game.
After the video was over, the video board at Citi Field cut to Scherzer in a Ranger uniform waving to the Mets fans. Unfortunately, the Mets fans in attendance weren’t in a celebratory mood. They began to boo Scherzer viciously as he smiled at the camera in the dugout.
Based on their reaction to the video tribute, the Mets fans aren't super nostalgic about the Max Scherzer era.pic.twitter.com/O0y67HuVCo
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 29, 2023
It has been a season of disappointment and disaster for the Mets, so truthfully it would be hard to find much of anything for Mets fans to cheer about.
Still, it is a harsh reaction for a player like Scherzer who did pitch well in a Mets uniform, albeit not quite as good as many expected this season.
The Mets’ struggles this season went far further than Scherzer’s performance while he was on the team. Regardless, prior to Monday’s game Scherzer did reveal that he wished he had pitched better as a member of the Mets this year.
“I don’t know, it was just a combination of everything,” said Scherzer when he was asked about what went wrong with the Mets. “It seemed like when we pitched we didn’t hit. When we hit we didn’t pitch. And if we did both, maybe the bullpen didn’t do well. Everybody can probably look at themselves in the mirror and say ‘I know I could have done better’. I wish I would have pitched better, I don’t like to point fingers unless I’m pointing fingers at myself. And I definitely can point the finger at myself.”
"I wish I would've pitched better. I don't like to point fingers unless I'm pointing fingers at myself, and I definitely can point the finger at myself."
– Max Scherzer pic.twitter.com/4qYJzCgHpH
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 28, 2023
Since arriving in Texas, Scherzer has pitched far better, so it seems like things have worked out for him. On the other hand, it looks like Mets fans are still not over how quickly things fell apart for them this season.
