Mets pitcher Max Scherzer claims PitchCom ‘should be illegal’ as ‘sign stealing is part of the game’

Mets pitcher Max Scherzer claimed PitchCom should be illegal but refused to rule out using it again in the future. 

Scherzer, 38, used the system for the first time in his Subway Series debut as the Mets beat the Yankees on Wednesday night. 

He revealed catcher Tomas Nido wanted him to try the communication system and it brought him success on his birthday Wednesday as he pitched seven shutout innings. 

Mets pitcher Max Scherzer claimed PitchCom should be illegal after using it on Wednesday

Scherzer revealed catcher Tomas Nido had urged him to try the system against the Yankees

However, Scherzer believes PitchCom has no place in the game as it takes away the hitting team’s ability to steal signs, and reduces an advantage he has over rival pitchers. 

‘It works. Does it help? Yes. But I also think it should be illegal,’ Scherzer said after the game at Citi Fields. ‘I don’t think it should be in the game.

‘For me, I’ve always taken pride in having a complex system of signs and having that advantage over other pitchers.

Scherzer believes PitchCom has no place in the game and prefers the system of signs

‘The fact that we’re taking this out of the game and we’re just putting in technology, now everybody — you can’t steal signs on second, the pitcher can’t have an advantage of having a complex system. 

‘It’s part of baseball trying to crack someone’s signs. Does it have its desired intent that it cleans up the game a little bit? Yes, but I also feel like it takes away part of the game.’

It did appear that even with the PitchCom in use, Nido was giving Scherzer hand signals throughout the game. 

However, Scherzer did admit that he would consider using PitchCom again in the future

However, despite being a traditionalist, Scherzer did admit that he would consider using PitchCom again in the future.  

‘I’ll continue to think about it. I might,’ he said. 

PitchCom was introduced by Major League Baseball and allows catchers to call signs for their pitcher electronically.

It sends the call directly to the pitcher’s ear rather than doing it the traditional way by putting down fingers. 

PitchCom sends the call directly to the pitcher’s ear rather than doing it the traditional way

The league instituted the system to improve the pace of play, cutting down the amount of times a pitcher shakes off pitch after pitch or steps off the mound because they think a base runner has picked up on the signs.

The system is also supposed to help crack down on stealing signs after the Astros were found to have developed an illegal sign-stealing scheme during their 2017 World Series run. 

Starling Marte delivered the walk-off RBI single for the host Mets on Wednesday night, who edged the New York Yankees 3-2 to sweep a two-game interleague series from their crosstown rivals.

The Mets have won three straight following a three-game losing streak to extend their lead in the NL East to three games. The Yankees, who entered Wednesday with the best record in baseball, are 2-5 since the All-Star break and 10-12 this month.

New York Mets’ Starling Marte celebrates after hitting a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning

Alonso (20) celebrates with Daniel Vogelbach (32) after hitting a homer in bottom of the 2nd