New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mets show support for suspended Max Scherzer with T-shirts

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/26/23

Members of the New York Mets showed support for suspended co-ace Max Scherzer in a unique and humorous way on Tuesday.

As shared by Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post, shirts that sported a "Sweat and Rosin" slogan were spotted in Mets players' lockers ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

Scherzer repeatedly insisted before, during and after his ejection from last Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers that a combination of sweat and league-approved rosin made his hands "sticky." Umpires nevertheless tossed Scherzer, and the three-time Cy Young Award winner is now serving a 10-game ban that runs through Sunday. He's eligible to return Monday against the Atlanta Braves.

Scherzer Ejection.

"It's Rosin" pic.twitter.com/6o3MGu21PI
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 19, 2023

"It’s just funny," Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith said about the shirts. "I don’t think anyone on the team had them made. I think someone just sent them in."

Smith added he believes Scherzer is ready to put the matter behind him as soon as possible.

"I can’t speak for him, but just the vibes I’ve gotten from him, I think he’s past the initial anger about it," Smith said of his teammate.

MLB insider Jon Heyman and former MLB pitcher David Cone are among the noteworthy members of the baseball community who have defended Scherzer and criticized the league for its handling of what became a "sticky" situation. Meanwhile, Mets manager Buck Showalter suggested the team's new shirts showed up at Citi Field thanks to an outsider.

"I don’t know who brought ’em in, how they got there," Showalter explained, according to Mike Fitzpatrick of the Associated Press. "I’m not in the T-shirt policing business — but I could be."

The Mets have gone 2-3 since the start of Scherzer's suspension and began Wednesday at 14-10 on the season. Along with Scherzer, New York's rotation is also missing fellow co-ace Justin Verlander (strained shoulder), Jose Quintana (stress fracture in his rib) and Carlos Carrasco (inflammation in his throwing elbow). However, Verlander could make his Mets debut as soon as next Wednesday against one his former teams, the Detroit Tigers.

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