Canadians fans soak up ‘Mad Max’ experience at Nat Bailey

One of the heroes of the Toronto Blue Jays' run to game seven of the World Series was in Vancouver on Friday, pitching for the Canadians.

You don’t get a name like Mad Max without earning it.

Max Scherzer’s passion and intensity are clear through the TV during Toronto Blue Jays games, but on Friday, Vancouver Canadians fans got to see all of that up close – as one of baseball’s best pitchers wore their colours during a rehab start at Nat Bailey Stadium.

“You just look at him and you go – ‘oh God, that’s a very, very intimidating man – but it’s a very, very disciplined man at the same time’ – so when he steps on up there – you just know – that’s the right man to call,” said Isaiah Russel, who travelled to Vancouver from Nanaimo specifically to see Scherzer play.

Scherzer has been a dominant force in Major League Baseball and is a presumed future Hall of Famer.

But this season has been largely hampered by injury, as the 41-year-old has dealt with back spasms.

“He brings a lot of emotion to the game,” said fan Jerry Byca. “He gets people, other players, fired up, and paying attention to the small details. Even when he’s not pitching, he’s always totally intent on seeing what’s happening on the field, what’s going on – what can he do in the dugout to maybe get the guys going.

“He just brings a great spirit and attitude to the game that’s lacking in a lot of players.”

Ultimately, Scherzer allowed two runs over three innings before the Canadians turned it around and claimed a 5-3 win over the Eugene Emeralds.

He signed autographs for fans before leaving to join up with the Blue Jays in Seattle, where his team will play a three-match series.