She mailed a letter to the Blue Jays… and weeks later, her dad was back in Toronto. Coincidence? Or the most heart-melting twist of the offseason?
At nearly 1:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, while most of the baseball world was asleep, the Toronto Blue Jays quietly dropped a headline that jolted fans awake: Max Scherzer is coming back.
But this wasn’t just another veteran signing. This was an eight-year-old’s wish coming true.
Max Scherzer’s return to Toronto on a one-year deal worth $3 million — with performance incentives that could raise it to $10 million — marks Season 19 for the future Hall of Famer. And while analysts debate velocity, innings, and bullpen roles, one person is simply overjoyed: his daughter, Brooke.
Earlier this offseason, a reunion seemed unlikely. Toronto had already added several arms to strengthen its rotation, and the 41-year-old right-hander appeared destined to move on. After a 2025 regular season that saw Scherzer post a 5.19 ERA over 85 innings, many assumed the Blue Jays would turn the page.
Then came the shift.
Reports surfaced last week that Toronto had emerged as the frontrunner to re-sign him. Momentum built quietly — and now we know that behind the scenes, there was an unlikely advocate campaigning hard for his return.
Back in December, Brooke Scherzer wrote a handwritten letter. She placed it carefully into an envelope and asked her parents to mail it to the Blue Jays.
Her mother, Erica Scherzer, revealed the note after the signing became official.
“Back in December Brooke wrote this letter, put it in an envelope and asked us to mail it to the Blue Jays. Looks like she gets her wish! Last season had an amazing impact on our entire family and we couldn’t be more excited to be back in Toronto!! Season 19 here we go!”
The letter itself left no doubt where Brooke’s heart belongs:
“Dear Blue Jays, I am so sorry that you didn’t win the World Series. I hope that you win next time. I hope my dad is back on the team. My whole family loves spending time in Toronto with our dad. We loved the aquarium, CN Tower and of course, the stadium. I am looking forward to coming back next season. Love, Max Scherzer’s daughter.”
It’s rare that a free-agent decision feels this personal. For the Scherzer family, Toronto wasn’t just a stop on a baseball map — it became home. Brooke fell in love with the city’s skyline, its landmarks, and the electric atmosphere inside Rogers Centre. And clearly, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
From a baseball standpoint, Scherzer’s return adds another layer of depth to an already formidable Blue Jays pitching staff. Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Jose Berrios give Toronto enviable flexibility heading into the season. With Opening Day just 29 days away, Scherzer will need time to ramp up, and his role remains fluid. He could compete for starts, transition into a bullpen weapon, or serve as a strategic spot starter throughout the year.
And don’t forget October.
Yes, his regular season numbers in 2025 were uneven. But when the lights got brightest during Toronto’s World Series run, Scherzer delivered. In three postseason starts, he posted a 3.77 ERA and struck out 11 — proof that even at 41, “Mad Max” can still flip the switch when it matters most.
The question now isn’t just when he’ll be game-ready. It’s how much magic is left in that right arm — and how much motivation comes from knowing his daughter believes in him this fiercely.
For the Blue Jays, this signing is about experience, depth, and postseason pedigree.
For Brooke, it’s about coming back to the aquarium, the CN Tower, and watching her dad take the mound in Toronto blue.
And for fans? It’s a reminder that sometimes, baseball isn’t just business.
Sometimes, it’s a handwritten letter and a dream that refuses to quit.
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