Starkville | Best Of Edition: Max Scherzer Talks ABS, Robo Umps, and More

Podcast: The Windup: A Show About Baseball
Episode: Starkville | Best Of Edition - Max Scherzer talks ABS, Robo umps and much more
Host(s): Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville (The Athletic)
Guest: Max Scherzer
Release Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This "Best Of" Starkville episode features a deep-dive interview with MLB pitching legend Max Scherzer. The conversation, led by Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville, explores Scherzer’s takes on Automated Ball-Strike Systems (ABS), the rise of 'robo umps', and the shifting nature of baseball’s competitive landscape. Scherzer shares his perspective on technology in the game, the importance of the human element, changes to pitcher usage, and the future of starting pitching in MLB—all through the lens of his elite and enduring career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Pitch Clock & Scherzer’s Signature Stomp

[03:30]

• Scherzer appreciates the attention to his craft and doesn’t feel the pitch clock has removed his dramatic post-strikeout stomp, except sometimes with runners on base (due to the shorter clock).
  • Quote:
    “As for the stomp around the mound, no, I think I got enough time... maybe a little bit with runners on base, that 30-second clock. Yeah, I can get into it a little bit.” — Max Scherzer [03:57]

Longevity & Athletic Foundation

[04:31]

• Scherzer attributes his durability and career longevity to being a multi-sport athlete as a kid, not just a baseball specialist.
  • Quote:
    “I always say that one of the reasons I’ve been the durable starter is that I’m an athlete first... I played football, I played basketball, I was an athlete. I just happened to play a little more baseball.” — Max Scherzer [04:46]

The Importance of Player-Manager Communication

[06:02]

• As a veteran, Scherzer builds relationships with team managers, acting as a communication bridge between the clubhouse and management, both for practical reasons (like travel logistics) and clubhouse flow.
  • Quote:
    "You actually do need a relationship with the manager. You gotta be able to communicate different things that are going on... that helps the club out some." — Max Scherzer [06:18]

Humor vs. Hype in Spring Training

[09:06]

• Scherzer fondly recalls Bob Henley’s humorous approach in spring training, emphasizing that laughter and team bonding, not just motivational speeches, build strong teams.
  • Quote:
    “We actually need more humor in our lives. We're all laughing at the same jokes... that's when teams become a team.” — Max Scherzer [09:06]

Player Hijinks & Friendships

[10:09]

• Tells a story about facing friend Trea Turner, who challenged a clear strike for laughs during spring, illustrating both camaraderie and gamesmanship amongst pros.
  • Quote:
    “Trey really threw me for a loop there... Point, Trey, you win.” — Max Scherzer [10:25]

Replay, Technology, and the “Galarraga Play”

[11:39]

• Scherzer traces the sport’s tech evolution, from replay’s necessity (after the blown Galarraga call) to unintentional side effects of over-technologizing rules (minutiae at bases, etc.).
  • Quote:
    “When we brought in replay... we want the calls right at first base 100% of the time... but with the unintended consequence [now] you're out if your cleat comes off one inch.” — Max Scherzer [11:39–12:34]

The Human Element in the Strike Zone

[13:09, 15:35]

• Scherzer values the traditional 'fuzzy' zone umpired by humans, believing in rewarding pitchers for command, and argues that the electronic zone would dramatically change pitching, catching, and the fan experience.
  • He advocates for technologically grading umps and targeting “the bottom five” umps rather than overhauling the whole system.
  • Quote:
    “I think a good feature of the game is... if the pitcher hits a spot, the catcher catches it, it’s right there... that’s a human element part of the strike zone.” — Max Scherzer [13:09]
    “Look, the umpires are really good. Most of the umpires are really good... This is about the bottom five umpires in the league.” — Max Scherzer [15:35]

Debating ABS, Challenge Systems, and Buffer Zones

[17:30]

• Scherzer is not dogmatically anti-ABS but sharply questions its necessity and effectiveness. Prefers solutions that correct only egregious calls, retain the human feel, and avoid creating two parallel strike zones.
  • Advocates for limited challenges or buffer 'gray zones' to only overturn obvious errors.
  • Quote:
    “I'm not going to die on this hill, but I think it’s worth having a discussion... do we need to change a fundamental part of the baseball experience?” — Max Scherzer [17:30]

Technology’s Influence on Umpire Behavior

[23:17]

• Conversation speculates whether umpires are already tightening up their strike zones due to looming tech accountability.

Pitcher vs. Umpire Zone Variations

[24:25]

• Teams already study each umpire’s tendencies, but Scherzer isn’t convinced it matters much unless dealing with extreme outliers.

“K-Zone” and TV Graphics Influence

[26:03–26:51]

• The hosts reflect on how the tv strike zone distorts fans’ certainty about right and wrong calls, which Scherzer sees as part of the debate.

What Should Be a Strike? Tradition vs. Tech

[27:19]

• Scherzer warns that a purely tech-driven strike zone shouldn’t override decades of baseball understanding—players shouldn’t suddenly have to recalibrate what a strike is.

Protecting the Integrity of the Game (Gambling & Egregious Calls)

[31:50]

• Scherzer, recalling competition committee work, raises gambling as a reason for some tech oversight of umpires but only to address egregious, not ‘gray area’, mistakes.
  • Quote:
    “The number one person who can influence a game... is the umpire, if they got on the take of a gambling [scandal]... you might want the ability to overturn an umpire’s call.” — Max Scherzer [31:50]

ABS Technologies: 2D vs. 3D Zones

[36:12–38:33]

• Discussion of the evolution from a 3D ABS zone (any touch of the zone equals a strike, even if the ball is a foot from the catcher’s glove) to a more intuitive 2D plane, but Scherzer notes this still creates disconnects between human and electronic definitions of the strike zone.

The Shrinking Role of the Starting Pitcher

[40:22]

• Scherzer is passionate (“I’ll die on this hill”) that modern baseball’s trend toward removing starters early, dictated by analytics, is a negative for the game, fans, and competitive integrity.
  • Suggests proposals to fix this, such as the “double hook” (losing the DH if you pull your starter early), but thinks even harsher legislative steps (fines, more incentives) are needed.
  • Quote:
    “I don’t think a starter going five innings should be the new norm... I think the fans like [watching two starters go deep].” — Max Scherzer [40:49]

The Future Definition of an Ace

[46:41]

• Stark asks what an “ace” will look like if current pitching trends continue; Scherzer worries about a future of ‘60-pitch freaks’ and injury spikes from higher effort in fewer pitches.
  • Quote:
    "Are we just getting guys just becoming 50, 60 pitch freaks? ... You gotta throw 100 pitches. Fans want starters going deep.” — Max Scherzer [46:41]

Advice for Young Pitchers

[49:02]

• Scherzer emphasizes durability—“stay healthy, keep making your starts”—as the surest path to success.

Branding, Star Power, and Fan Engagement

[49:54]

• The group agrees that star pitcher duels–like classic NFL QB battles–are vital for baseball as entertainment.
  • Quote:
    “This is a branding issue… top starters pitching as long as they can… as fans, we watch it—who's going to beat who?” — Max Scherzer [49:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m not going to die on this hill, but I think it’s worth having a discussion, especially as fans and people across the game.” — Max Scherzer on ABS/robo umps [17:30]
• “The winning formula is to stay healthy” — Max Scherzer’s advice for young pitchers [49:02]
• “If Patrick Mahomes was only going to play the first half… Fans would go nuts.” — Jayson Stark, making the case for keeping baseball aces in games [45:11]
• “This is an issue I’ll die on. There’s something really to this.” — Max Scherzer on the erosion of the starting pitcher’s role [50:43]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:30] Scherzer on pitch clock and his post-strikeout routine
• [04:31] Discussing athletic background and longevity
• [06:02] Managing clubhouse-manager relationships
• [09:44] On spring training humor and team chemistry
• [10:09] Spring hijinks with Trea Turner
• [11:39] Replay’s origins and side effects (Galarraga play)
• [13:09] Human element versus technology in the strike zone
• [15:35] Ideas for balancing ABS with the game's spirit
• [23:17] Umpire adaptation to challenges and tech scrutiny
• [24:25] Umpire strike zone variations: effect on pitchers
• [26:03] TV K-zone and the public’s view
• [31:50] Gambling, integrity, and why some technology is needed
• [36:12] Difference between 2D and 3D ABS zones
• [40:22] The move away from traditional starting pitching
• [46:41] The fate of the “ace” as a baseball archetype
• [49:02] Core advice for young pitchers: durability
• [49:54] Branding, marketing, and fan interest in ace pitcher duels

Episode Tone

The tone is both thoughtful and passionate, with Scherzer blending technical insight, dry humor, and genuine love for the game. Stark and Glanville foster a collegial, inquisitive atmosphere, inviting both nostalgia for baseball’s traditions and engagement with its ongoing evolution.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This conversation is essential listening for those curious about baseball’s crossroads: it offers an insider’s view of how tech, analytics, and labor relations are colliding with tradition and competitive spirit. Scherzer’s honest, nuanced contributions—on everything from pitch signals to the soul of the sport—make this episode a definitive roadmap of baseball’s present and future.