Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer dropped the ceremonial first puck ahead of the Capitals-Rangers game. Except, Max didn’t bring a puck.
He brought a baseball.
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“Ladies gentlemen, the Washington Nationals swept the St. Louis Cardinals in four games to capture their first National League Championship in team history,” PA announcer Wes Johnson said. “Here to take part in tonight’s ceremonial faceoff, please welcome seven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award Winner, Max Scherzer.”
.@Max_Scherzer with the ceremonial… baseball drop? #ALLCAPS | #FINISHTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/hjETCoTnyl
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) October 18, 2019
Scherzer, as he walked down the red carpet, waved as he got a deafening cheer from the soldout crowd. Once at the center faceoff dot, Scherzer took out a baseball and held it with two fingers while Rangers alternate captain Mika Zibanejad and Alex Ovechkin posed for a photo.
After Ovechkin gave Scherzer back his ceremonial baseball, the two superstars embraced. What a moment.
Two 🐐 pic.twitter.com/7HayyCwGK6
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) October 18, 2019
But disaster almost struck before Max made it there. According to the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell, Scherzer nearly fell on his way out to center ice.
Max Scherzer just slipped stepping out onto the red carpet before dropping the puck. He did not fall, but that was close.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) October 18, 2019
Scherzer is one of several Nationals at the game tonight including manager Dave Martinez, Adam Eaton, Juan Soto, Patrick Corbin, Trea Turner, Stephen Strasburg, and Brian Dozier.
I spy @treavturner and Dave Martinez at the Caps game pic.twitter.com/cFArbdKOep
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) October 18, 2019
The @Nationals Stephen Strasburg is also at the Caps game pic.twitter.com/a1mWoh8KJY
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) October 19, 2019
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Rangers
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
