Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider was all smiles on Thursday after getting his soul snatched by Max Scherzer on national television.
With two outs in the fourth inning, Schneider wanted to take Scherzer off the mound during the Blue Jays’ ALCS Game 4 matchup against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash. Scherzer responded by screaming at Schneider to turn around and let him finish the inning.
Schneider obliged, allowing Scherzer to end the fifth inning with a four-pitch strikeout of Randy Arozarena.
After the game, both Scherzer and Schneider talked about the viral moment. The three-time Cy Young Award winner explained that he was “caught off guard” by the Blue Jays skipper wanting to take the ball out of his hands a batter early.
“I wanted the ball, and I basically told him that in a different language,” said Scherzer.
Schneider took the moment in stride. He saw the reprimand for what it was: another iconic Scherzer moment in a legendary career filled with them. When they make a documentary about Scherzer’s greatest hits, Schneider’s walk of shame back to the dugout may make the cut.
“It was awesome. I thought he was gonna kill me, it was great,” said Schneider during his postgame press conference. “He locked eyes with me, both colors, as I walked out.”
"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
The Blue Jays were in a great mood on Thursday after tying the ALCS 2-2 with their 8-2 victory in Game 4. Schneider’s answer would have likely sounded different had Scherzer failed to get out of the inning cleanly. But the signature crazed look in Scherzer’s two-toned eyes guaranteed Schneider that wasn’t going to happen.
Mad Max ended up getting two more outs in the sixth inning before his night was over. His final line: two earned runs, three hits, and four walks allowed with five strikeouts across 5.2 innings pitched.
