What Rocks: Scherzer Keeps on Pitching
By • May 27, 2021 0 1484
To Georgetown University students, it was the biggest day of their young lives, but to Max Scherzer it was just another workday. The Washington Nationals pitcher was spotted practicing on field Monday (it was an off day for the team) during the G.U. commencement exercises. And, despite the major pomp and circumstances, Scherzer wasn’t stopping for anyone. The creature of habit kept throwing throughout the event, prepping for his game the next day against the Cincinnati Reds.
Some new graduates mentioned that Scherzer specifically kept up his between-starts routine during the academic ceremony, according to the Washington Post. As additional memorabilia for the momentous day, many phone recordings of the event may have audible pops in the background due to Scherzer’s pitches striking the catcher’s mitt.
The commencement was a particularly special one for Georgetown University, not just because of 2019 World Series champion Scherzer’s surprise appearance. The May 24 event was the first time the Class of 2021 was able to meet in person since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. The fact that Nationals Park is outdoors made it easier for an in-person event due to more relaxed outdoor masking guidelines.
Georgetown conferred more than 6,500 degrees with a morning ceremony for undergrads and afternoon event for grads and professional degrees. Ceremonies were also broadcast virtually for friends and family unable to be there in person.
A wide array of speakers was featured at the event, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, actor Leslie Odom Jr. and Georgetown men’s basketball coach Patrick Ewing. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, delivered the invocation. Chief Justice John Roberts spoke at the Georgetown University Law Center’s commencement.
Catch the video of Scherzer practicing on Georgetown’s Twitter page.
