Introduction
Often known by his nickname “Mad Max,” MLB ace Max Scherzer has built a legendary career as one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers. But beyond the strikeouts and no-hit games, his personal story includes a distinctive eye condition, family tragedy, a strong marriage, and clarifications around his religious identity. In this article we’ll explore:
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His eye condition (and how it has no impact on his performance)
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His marital status and family life
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His religious background (and common misconceptions)
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His brother’s passing, and how it influenced him
Let’s dive deeply into each of these aspects to give you a full, SEO-optimized profile of Max Scherzer.
1. Eye Condition: Heterochromia & What It Means
One of the first things you’ll notice about Max Scherzer is his two different-colored eyes: one blue, one brown. This unusual feature is not cosmetic—it comes from a real biological condition.
What the condition is
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Scherzer has a condition called complete heterochromia iridis. His right eye is blue, his left eye is brown.
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Heterochromia iridis happens when the two irises differ in colour. In Scherzer’s case it is congenital (he was born with it).
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The condition is extremely rare: one study found it in about 0.26% of people.
Does it affect his vision or performance?
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No. According to multiple reports, Scherzer’s vision is not hampered by his heterochromia. It is purely a difference in pigmentation, not a functional impairment.
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He has embraced it publicly, even saying: “I’ve always celebrated it. Whether you liked it or not, that’s who I am.”
Impact & Symbolism
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The mismatched eyes have become part of his identity—fans, media, bobble-heads, and team promotions have referenced them.
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While intriguing visually, it serves as a reminder that uniqueness doesn’t compromise excellence. Scherzer has built a career as an elite pitcher—three Cy Young Awards, multiple no-hit games—so clearly the eye condition hasn’t slowed him down.
In short: the eye condition is a remarkable trait—but more for its novelty than any limitation.
2. His Marriage & Family Life
Beyond the field, Scherzer leads a stable family life, which can often be overlooked amid his athletic achievements.
Marriage
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Max Scherzer met his future wife, Erica May, at the University of Missouri where both were collegiate athletes: he pitched baseball, she pitched for the softball team.
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After more than eight years of dating, the couple married in November 2013.
Children
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The couple have four children:
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Their first daughter, born November 29, 2017.
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Their second daughter, born July 4, 2019.
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Their third child (a son), born May 2, 2021—Scherzer notably pitched a complete game the same day his son was born.
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Their fourth child (a daughter), born January 30, 2023.
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Family Life & Philanthropy
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The Scherzers have rescued multiple dogs and pets; Max’s love of animals figures into his off-field life.
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They are involved in community causes: e.g., the couple launched a fundraiser called “Strike Out Modern Slavery” to help combat human trafficking, and they have covered animal adoption fees as part of their philanthropic efforts.
So in terms of relationship and family: married, four kids, active in charity, stable familial foundation.
3. Religion / Faith Background
While Scherzer is often asked about religion due to his surname and public profile, his religious identification is straightforward—though there is limited public detail about his beliefs.
Clarification on Jewish identity
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Some fans and media have wondered if Scherzer is Jewish. Research indicates: he is not Jewish. A Jewish sports-news outlet specifically clarifies that Scherzer is not Jewish.
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The surname “Scherzer” may sound Jewish, but that does not in his case reflect actual Jewish faith or heritage.
What is publicly known about his faith
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There is no widely published declaration of his specific religious denomination (e.g., Christian, Catholic, Protestant) available in the public domain.
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Because he doesn’t prominently speak publicly about his faith, it suggests he keeps his private spiritual beliefs relatively quiet.
Key takeaway
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For the purposes of search and factual enquiry: there is no confirmed religious affiliation publicly released for Max Scherzer (beyond “not Jewish”).
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Therefore, it is best to treat his religion as “private/undisclosed” rather than assign a label without evidence. Max Scherzer eye condition.
4. His Brother & Its Impact
One of the most poignant chapters of Scherzer’s personal life involves his younger brother, Alex Scherzer, whose death deeply affected him.
The story
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Alex Scherzer was born later than Max, and the brothers were close; they grew up together in Chesterfield, Missouri.
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Tragically, Alex took his own life in June 2012.
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In the days following his brother’s death, Max returned to the mound and pitched, showing remarkable professionalism and courage.
The impact on Max
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The grief and loss weighed heavily on Scherzer; the article “Max Scherzer: A brother’s passage” explores how the loss altered family dynamics and Max’s internal world.
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Max has publicly said that since Alex’s passing, he dedicates every start to his brother’s memory.
Why it matters
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This personal tragedy underscores the human side of a superstar athlete: despite huge success, he experienced deep loss and continues to carry the memory of his brother with him.
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For audiences and fans, this dimension adds emotional depth to Scherzer’s persona and helps explain his resilience, competitive edge, and philanthropic orientation. Max Scherzer eye condition.
Putting It All Together
When you consider the full picture of Max Scherzer:
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His eye condition (heterochromia) makes him visually distinctive, but does not compromise his elite athletic performance.
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His marriage and family life anchor him off the field; he is married to Erica May and is a father of four.
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His religious identity remains private; he is not Jewish, and there is no confirmed public declaration of his faith beyond that.
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His brother’s death is a defining personal event that affected him deeply and contributes to the context in which he plays, leads, and lives.
These four dimensions combine to give a fuller understanding of Scherzer—not just as a dominant MLB pitcher, but as a person with unique traits, relationships, emotional depth, and quiet complexity. For your purposes (SEO-optimized article about eye condition, religion, marriage, brother), all these elements are covered.
FAQs
Q1: What eye condition does Max Scherzer have?
A1: He has heterochromia iridis, meaning his right eye is blue and his left eye is brown. It is congenital and does not affect his vision or pitching performance.
Q2: Is Max Scherzer married, and how many children does he have?
A2: Yes—Scherzer is married to Erica May (they married in November 2013). They have four children: two daughters (born 2017 and 2019), one son (born 2021) and another daughter (born 2023).
Q3: What is Max Scherzer’s religion?
A3: Publicly, Scherzer has not detailed his specific religious denomination. He is not Jewish, despite some public speculation.
Q4: Who was Max Scherzer’s brother and what happened to him?
A4: His younger brother was Alex Scherzer. In June 2012, Alex tragically died by suicide. Max has cited his brother’s memory when dedicating his starts.
Q5: Does the eye condition affect his gameplay or pitching performance?
A5: No. The condition is purely cosmetic (differences in pigment) and does not impair vision or performance. Scherzer remains one of baseball’s elite pitchers. Max Scherzer eye condition.
Conclusion
Max Scherzer stands out in many ways: his blazing fastball, his two-colored eyes, his quiet strength off the field, and the personal dimensions that shape his life. When you talk about his eye condition, remember it’s a signature trait, not a hindrance. When you talk about his marriage and family, note the stability and love he’s built off the mound. When you talk about his religion, you’ll see privacy rather than proclamation. And when you talk about his brother, you’ll see a man who channels grief into drive.
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