Inside The As

Max Scherzer Compares Crowds in Oakland to World Series Atmosphere

Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer says he still gets goosebumps when thinking about pitching in front of the playoff crowds in Oakland.

Jason Burke

Max Scherzer Compares Crowds in Oakland to World Series Atmosphere
Max Scherzer Compares Crowds in Oakland to World Series Atmosphere /

Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer appeared on Foul Territory this week, and talked a bit about the A's impending relocation to Las Vegas.

"The situation just stinks for everybody involved. For me, I feel for everybody, especially the fans of Oakland. When everybody asks me 'what's the craziest atmosphere you ever pitched in?" don't get me wrong, some World Series, obviously Game 7's that are pretty special, but I always say those playoff games in Oakland are the craziest atmosphere I ever pitched in. Those fans were absolutely amazing. I still get goosebumps thinking about pitching in that environment."

The two series he is referring to came in the ALDS in 2012 and 2013 when Scherzer was still a member of the Detroit Tigers. He started Game 4 of the 2012 ALDS, which the A's walked off on a single to right field by Coco Crisp, tying the series at two games apiece.

The A's would lose the next game, and the series, bringing their magical season to an end. Still, the fans in Oakland were appreciative of the guys on the field for giving them such a memorable season. Instead of heading for the exits, the fans in Oakland, after watching their team being eliminated from the postseason in an uncompetitive game, chanted "Let's Go Oak-Land!" 

This isn't something that is talked about a lot because the A's don't make national headlines unless it's to make fun of their attendance woes or there is some wildlife loose within the Coliseum. 

I was at that game, not yet someone that covered baseball in any way, and when the fans started chanting, it made me proud to root for this team with these people. 

Scherzer also started Game 1 at the Coliseum in 2013 and went seven innings, gave up just three hits and two earned while striking out 11. He got the win in that one, and a win in Game 4 in Detroit. 

This also isn't the first time that a player has mentioned the crowds in Oakland this year. After closing out wins in both the Reverse Boycott and the Unite the Bay event, Trevor May said that pitching in those regular season games was akin to pitching in the playoffs in New York. 

The full clip of Scherzer talking about the fans in Oakland can be seen below! 

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Jason Burke
JASON BURKE

Jason is the host of the Locked on A's podcast, and the managing editor of Inside the A's. He's a new father and can't wait to take his son to his first baseball game at the Coliseum. 

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