Our final Memorable Moment for the Northwoods League’s 25th Anniversary Season showcases former La Crosse Loggers Max Scherzer and Chris Sale the starting pitchers for the National and American Leagues for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.
Sale pitched two innings in the game allowing three hits and no runs while striking out two. Scherzer pitched one inning allowing one hit and had two strikeouts. Scherzer would go on to win his third Cy Young Award in 2017 when he finished the year 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA and had 268 strikeouts in 200.2 innings pitched. Sale would finish second in the Cy Young voting in the American League behind Corey Kluber of the Indians. Sale went 17-8 with a 2.90 ERA and had 308 strikeouts in 214.1 innings pitched.
“First off, we are thrilled for both Max and Chris to once again be recognized for their great seasons with another All-Star selection,” said Loggers General Manager Chris Goodell at the time. “We were honored to be able to be a small part of their careers, albeit a very important part of their development as young pitchers back in 2004 and 2008 respectively. And for our Logger organization, their efforts have created a dream pitching matchup on baseball’s biggest stage that we cannot wait to witness.”
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award Winner and five-time All-Star, pitched for the Loggers in 2004. In 17 appearances that summer, he went 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA and struck out 50 batters in 33 innings pitched. Sale, a six time All-Star and the league leader in strikeouts for the 2015 and 2017 seasons, pitched for the Loggers in 2008. Over 17 games with the Loggers he went 2-3 with a 3.23 ERA. He also struck out 74 batters in 53 innings pitched. It was during his time in La Crosse that coaches suggested that he adopt his now distinctive low three-quarter arm angle.
Max Scherzer – MLB statistics
(through May 19, 2018)
Win–loss record: 148–76
Earned run average: 3.25
Strikeouts: 2,253
Teams
Arizona Diamondbacks (2008–2009)
Detroit Tigers (2010–2014)
Washington Nationals (2015–present)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (2013–2017)
3× Cy Young Award (2013, 2016, 2017)
3× Wins leader (2013, 2014, 2016)
2× NL strikeout leader (2016, 2017)
Pitched two no-hitters in 2015 (June 20 and October 3)
Pitched an immaculate inning on May 14, 2017
MLB records
Tied MLB record for strikeouts (20) in a 9-inning game (May 11, 2016)
Chris Sale – MLB statistics
(through May 22, 2018)
Win–loss record: 96–59
Earned run average: 2.94
Strikeouts: 1,648
WHIP: 1.04
Teams
Chicago White Sox (2010–2016)
Boston Red Sox (2017–present)
Career highlights and awards
6× All-Star (2012–2017)
2× AL strikeout leader (2015, 2017)
MLB records
Fastest pitcher to record 1,500 strikeouts
Visit our 25th Season Celebration page to read about other memorable moments previously released.