Max Scherzer's 2016 and 2017 Cy Young Awards

Lore & Background

Max Scherzer's 2016 Cy Young season was a masterclass in consistency—think of it as a 33-start symphony where every movement ended in a strikeout. He led the National League in wins and strikeouts, anchoring a rotation that bulldozed the Nationals to a division title. But 2017? That was a different beast. Scherzer posted a career-best ERA and then, on a muggy May night in Detroit, he did the unthinkable: he struck out 20 batters in a single game, tying a record held by only a handful of demigods like Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood. The 20-K game wasn't just a stat line; it was a declaration—a right-hander at the peak of his powers, carving through the Tigers like a sculptor with a chisel. And let's not forget his no-hitter in 2015 or the one in 2019; those games became the stuff of D.C. legend, whispered about in the stands and replayed on barroom TVs for years.

Beyond the numbers, Scherzer's intensity was a force of nature. His pre-game ritual—a furious, almost feral stare into the distance, his 'crazy eyes' fixed on some invisible foe—became a symbol of his relentless pursuit of perfection. Teammates would watch him in the dugout, muttering to himself, and know that when he took the mound, they were witnessing a man at war with the batter, the umpire, and the very concept of failure. His work ethic was legendary: hours of film study, meticulous bullpen sessions, and a refusal to accept anything less than dominance. That intensity shaped the Nationals' culture, turning a talented roster into a brotherhood of believers.

The back-to-back Cy Youngs vaulted Scherzer into the pantheon of Hall of Famers like Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux—pitchers who didn't just win games but changed how the game was played. For Nationals fans, these awards were a validation: proof that their team could attract and develop a generational talent, transforming a once-overlooked franchise into a perennial contender. Scherzer didn't just pitch; he made D.C. matter.

Reader's Guide

Max Scherzer's 2016 and 2017 Cy Young Awards are a landmark achievement in Washington Nationals history. He won the 2016 award after leading the National League in wins and strikeouts, becoming the first Nationals pitcher to claim the honor since the franchise's relocation from Montreal. The following year, he repeated the feat, leading the league in ERA and strikeouts while delivering a 20-strikeout performance against the Detroit Tigers on May 11, 2016 (though that game technically fell in the 2016 season, his 2017 campaign was equally dominant).

These awards were not just individual accolades; they symbolized the Nationals' rise as a powerhouse. Scherzer's dominance, combined with the team's division titles, created a golden era that captivated D.C. fans. His Cy Youngs remain a benchmark for excellence in the organization, inspiring future generations of pitchers. The achievement also highlighted the Nationals' ability to attract elite free agents, as Scherzer signed a seven-year, $210 million contract in 2015, a deal that paid dividends with these historic seasons.

Did You Know?

• Max Scherzer is the only pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues (American League in 2013 with Detroit, National League in 2016 and 2017 with Washington).
• His 20-strikeout game in 2016 tied the MLB single-game record, a feat accomplished by only a few pitchers including Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood.
• Scherzer's 2017 Cy Young season included a no-hitter against the New York Mets on June 21, 2017, his second no-hitter with the Nationals.
• He is one of only four pitchers to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards in the National League since the award's inception in 1967.