Video: Max Scherzer Re-Writing History Books In One Game

Only 18 pitchers in the history of major league baseball had registered 3,000 strikeouts. Add Los Angeles Dodgers' ace Max Scherzer to the list.

The 3,000th strikeout. pic.twitter.com/3H4KzfLb4T
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 12, 2021

Not only is Scherzer the 19th man to reach that hallowed mark for a pitcher, he's done it, incredibly, with only 674 walks—the fewest among any of the legends on that list.

And he very nearly became the first to reach the milestone with a perfect game, tossing 7.1 perfect innings against the San Diego Padres before leaving after 8 innings allowing only one hit, no walks, and 8 strikeouts.

To make the achievement even more memorable (if that's even necessary at this point), Scherzer also threw in an immaculate inning:

Max Scherzer is immaculate. pic.twitter.com/3631ior7cI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 12, 2021

It's the third immaculate inning (three strikeouts on just nine pitches) in Scherzer's career, and the 3-time immaculate club that he joined is even more select than the 3,000 K Club. Much more select. Here's the list:

Sandy Koufax
Chris Sale
Max Scherzer

That's it. That's the list. In fact, until this season, Koufax was the lone member of that Three Immaculate Innings club for the past 50+ years.

The 37-year-old Scherzer was acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline from the Washington Nationals, and he has been pitching at an even more elite level than normal for him; he's 6-0 with LA, with a 0.88 ERA. Scherzer is now a leading contender for his 4th (yes, FOURTH) Cy Young Award.

Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports