Max Scherzer makes history: Surpasses Walter Johnson to enter Top 10 all-time strikeouts

Max Scherzer etched his name further into baseball lore on Sunday, surpassing the legendary Walter Johnson to claim sole possession of 10th place on Major League Baseball's all-time strikeouts list. The veteran pitcher achieved this historic feat during the Toronto Blue Jays' 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in an 11-inning thriller.

At 42 years old, Scherzer recorded the 3,516th strikeout of his illustrious career in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The victim of this milestone was Kyle Schwarber, who was caught looking on a called third strike. This accomplishment places Scherzer in an elite group of pitchers, a moment he described as "very special" given the caliber of names on the list.

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When you start mentioning the Top 10 all-time strikeouts, we're talking about really gigantic names. To be part of that group now is something very special.

Johnson, who pitched for the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927, concluded his career with 3,515 strikeouts. Scherzer reached Johnson's mark earlier in the game, striking out Bryce Harper and Garrett Stubbs, before tying the record by fanning Bryan De La Cruz in the fifth inning. His wife, Erica, and children were in attendance to witness the historic moment.

Philadelphia has proven to be a particularly fruitful hunting ground for Scherzer. He has accumulated 255 career strikeouts against the Phillies, more than against any other franchise. His 116 strikeouts at Citizens Bank Park since its 2004 opening are the most by any visiting pitcher. Even opposing starter Aaron Nola, who also reached a career milestone of 2,000 strikeouts in the same game, acknowledged Scherzer's enduring excellence, calling him "the ultimate competitor and, without a doubt, a future Hall of Famer."

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He has pitched for a long time and continues to be incredible. He is the ultimate competitor and, without a doubt, a future Hall of Famer.