Max Scherzer named 'King Tiger' by Mayo Smith Society

DETROIT -- Max Scherzer was named the recipient of the 2013 "King Tiger" award, given annually by the Mayo Smith Society. It is the first "King Tiger" award of Max Scherzer's career. The award takes into account each player's on-field accomplishments and off-field endeavors. Members of the Mayo Smith Society complete their voting over a month-long period during the offseason.

Scherzer, 29, led the American League with 21 wins and an .875 winning percentage, while he was second with 240 strikeouts, 10.08 strikeouts per nine innings, 25 quality starts, and a .198 batting average against, fifth with a 2.90 ERA, and tied for fifth with 214.1 innings pitched.  

Scherzer established a franchise record, winning 13 straight decisions to begin the season as a starter. In addition, he became just the second pitcher in American League history to fan six-or-more batters in his first 18 outings to begin the season, joining Pedro Martinez who struck out six-or-more batters in 29 straight outings to begin the season in 2000. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

Off the field, Scherzer and wife Erica May created a program called "Scherzer's Superstars", which brings eight young people and their matches from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit to Comerica Park to watch batting practice, receive complimentary Scherzer's Superstars t-shirts and have the opportunity to meet Max before enjoying a Tigers game. Through the program, Scherzer hopes to instill excitement in the game of baseball with the children, and thank the mentors for volunteering their time to serve as a positive role model for the Detroit community.

He is also actively involved with Dreams Come True, Play Baseball Detroit, Autographed Memorabilia Donation Programs, Gloves for Kids and the Tigers Winter Caravan. Additionally, Scherzer is an advocate and spokesman for Pennies for Paws, a coin collection campaign to support the Wildlife Without Borders Tiger Conservation Fund of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Mayo Smith Society, founded in 1983 and named for the manager of the Tigers 1968 World Series championship club, is a nationwide organization of Tigers fans. Since 2004, the society has voted on King Tiger winners based on players' on-field and off-field endeavors, picking up a tradition from 1964-80 when the presidents of individual Tigers fan clubs had voted for their own King Tiger awardees. Mayo Smith Society representatives plan to make the King Tiger presentation to Scherzer during the organization's annual trip to Lakeland, Florida, for Spring Training.

Past King Tiger winners as voted on by the Mayo Smith Society:

2012: Miguel Cabrera
2011: Justin Verlander
2010: Miguel Cabrera
2009: Justin Verlander
2008: Miguel Cabrera
2007: Magglio Ordonez
2006: Kenny Rogers
2005: Placido Polanco
2004: Carlos Guillen, Ivan Rodriguez (tie)