Max Scherzer and Alex Ovechkin have a lot in common.
The two future Hall of Famers and DC sports legends are nearing the end of their historic careers, still battling with players less than half of their ages. While they haven’t shared much time together recently — Scherzer was traded by the Washington Nationals in 2021 — the former ace looks back very fondly on the camaraderie the two legends had, as well as their teams in 2018 and 2019.
“We had some special moments together,” Scherzer told the Toronto Sun’s Rob Longley. “Them being able to win the (Stanley) Cup and being right there and having them bring the Cup into our clubhouse, that’s something you never forget.
“Same thing with us. When we won [the World Series] trophy, we took it into their [dressing room] and celebrated with them.”
Even before the Capitals had officially won the franchise’s first championship, Scherzer and fellow Nats legend Ryan Zimmerman got decked out in Caps gear to help pump up the Capital One Arena crowd before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Capitals would go on to blow out the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2 in that game.
The Capitals’ eventual celebration at Nationals Park has become a legendary tale that blossomed into their famous fountain-swimming adventure at the Washington Harbour. To kick off that day of partying, Ovechkin was chosen to throw the first pitch before the Nats’ game against the San Francisco Giants with Scherzer serving as his catcher. After missing high with his initial throw, Ovechkin requested a mulligan and delivered a much better second.
The next year, the Capitals would return much of the support they had felt from Nationals players, as the Nats had their own historic postseason. During that run to the World Series, Ovechkin threw out the first pitch before Game 4 of the NLDS, and Scherzer dropped a baseball instead of a puck ahead of a Capitals-Rangers game after the NLCS.
The Nationals would go on to beat the Houston Astros in a dramatic seven-game series, securing the club’s first title. As part of their ensuing celebrations, they attended a Capitals game against the Calgary Flames, during which Scherzer led a shirtless bunch of Nationals around the rink on a Zamboni.
After the rebuilding Nationals dealt Scherzer to the Los Angeles Dodgers, he then moved on to the New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and now the Toronto Blue Jays. He won another title with the Rangers in 2023 and made it back to the World Series with the Blue Jays in a losing effort last season.
The Blue Jays brought the 41-year-old back on a one-year, $3 million contract this past March. Scherzer is expected to join the back of Toronto’s rotation for his 19th season in the big leagues. As part of his return north of the border, Scherzer says he wants to see Ovechkin and the Capitals play the Maple Leafs when they come to Scotiabank Arena on April 8.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what [Ovechkin’s] done in his career and the competitor he is and still obviously playing really good hockey at his age,” Scherzer said. “It’s fun to see him doing his thing, and that’s why I’d love to go see him play.”
The trip to Toronto may be Ovechkin’s last as a member of the Caps, as he has not committed to playing another season past this year. Ovechkin has historically tormented the Maple Leafs, recording 80 points (45g, 35a) in 63 games against them.
