Dealt to Detroit in a three-team blockbuster trade this offseason, new Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer recently spoke with Sporting News’ Craig Custance about his new team:
When I got traded to the Tigers, I was shocked. That morning, I had 10 text messages waiting for me saying I was a Tiger. A couple (in reference to his alma mater, the University of Missouri) said "You’re a Tiger again."
Once (general manager) Dave Dombrowski and (manager) Jim Leyland called, I realized this is a good organization, a great city and a great opportunity. The Tigers are a team that has a chance to contend for the World Series in a city that has great fans.
It would be exciting if the young starting pitching here, with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, could make it happen for a long time. Justin is one of the best pitchers in the game, and Rick is really establishing himself. I’m in that position, too, just making adjustments and learning the game here in the first couple years. Hopefully, we can continue to blossom and get better. We all want to pitch as well as we can, especially when you can see another teammate have success. It makes you want to have more success.
It’ll be great to watch Justin’s starts. That was the luxury of being in Arizona with Brandon Webb — just seeing how there was more than stuff to get hitters out. It was a learning experience.
I’m really looking forward to being, hopefully, a piece of the puzzle that gets this team in the playoffs.
This story first appeared in Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Craig Custance is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ccustance@sportingnews.com.
Dealt to Detroit in a three-team blockbuster trade this offseason, new Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer recently spoke with Sporting News’ Craig Custance about his new team:
When I got traded to the Tigers, I was shocked. That morning, I had 10 text messages waiting for me saying I was a Tiger. A couple (in reference to his alma mater, the University of Missouri) said "You’re a Tiger again."
Once (general manager) Dave Dombrowski and (manager) Jim Leyland called, I realized this is a good organization, a great city and a great opportunity. The Tigers are a team that has a chance to contend for the World Series in a city that has great fans.
It would be exciting if the young starting pitching here, with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, could make it happen for a long time. Justin is one of the best pitchers in the game, and Rick is really establishing himself. I’m in that position, too, just making adjustments and learning the game here in the first couple years. Hopefully, we can continue to blossom and get better. We all want to pitch as well as we can, especially when you can see another teammate have success. It makes you want to have more success.
It’ll be great to watch Justin’s starts. That was the luxury of being in Arizona with Brandon Webb — just seeing how there was more than stuff to get hitters out. It was a learning experience.
I’m really looking forward to being, hopefully, a piece of the puzzle that gets this team in the playoffs.
This story first appeared in Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Craig Custance is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ccustance@sportingnews.com.