Written by Chelsea Janes at Washington Post.com
Max Scherzer does not say much on days he starts, eschewing silly conversation in favor of a massive roast beef sandwich and extensive preparation.
But prior to Wednesday’s game, as Scherzer stomped through the clubhouse on his way to some part of his pregame ritual, his manager stopped him and introduced him to Willie Mays, for whom he wanted Scherzer to make an exception.
“He’s the Cy Young,” Baker said, as Scherzer shook the 86-year-old legend’s hand.
“We could share a hot dog,” Mays said. Scherzer told him he would get him one.
“Hurry back,” said Mays, one of the few men who could tell Scherzer to do anything without earning some sass in return. A few moments later, after Mays had signed some baseballs and suggested Ryan Zimmerman get a manicure, a clubhouse attendant brought Mays a hot dog, sent by Scherzer.
So began the finale of the Nationals’ three-game series against the Giants, a set that began with a brawl and ended with perspective from a man who helped mold the Nationals’ manager and the game.
“They’re kind of shy, kind of like little kids when you see a legend like Willie Mays. I feel very fortunate to have been with him quite a few years, played against him for a while,” Baker said. “He’s one of the greats of the game, but he’s still regular and one of them. That’s why I think it makes it easier for the guys to come around and ask him for pictures and stuff. He’s very, very approachable.”
Baker rounded the players in the clubhouse before the game and pulled them into a semicircle around Mays, who sat at a table and shook hands with those who came by. Mays does not see well these days, but seized each man’s hand and judged the grip. Michael A. Taylor had to shake his hand again, having been too light on the man the first time. He asked Darren Baker to do the same, getting a hearty laugh out of his father in the process.
“He can’t see that well, but he can feel,” Dusty Baker said. “Back in the day, hand strength was more important than arm … he has big old hands. Huge hands. He used to get on me about trying to increase my hand strength. He gets on these guys about hand strength. He’s on my son about hand strength.”
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