Umpire's Decision Questionably Altered by Scherzer's Amusing Coin Toss in dugout

Max Scherzer's Banter with CB Bucknor In Fireside Baseball

Things got spicy between Max Scherzer and umpire CB Bucknor during the Toronto Blue Jays' game against the Cleveland Guardians, a matchup that saw Bucknor's dubious strike zone in the spotlight.

In the dugout, Scherzer, known for his outspoken nature, decided to let Bucknor know his thoughts on the umpire's call-making methods. For several minutes, he entertained his teammates with a coin flip after each pitch, suggesting that Bucknor's decisions were akin to tossing a coin.

"You can easily guess what Max Scherzer's up to here," the commentators chuckled, "The picture tells the whole story."

Mar 28, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) warms up in the dugout before the start of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images. (© Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)

Scherzer Pokes Fun at Bucknor: The Umpire Saga

Bucknor, with his typically unimpressive performance on Friday, showed a 92% overall accuracy, which is below par according to Umpire Scorecard's account on X. His relative accuracy and consistency also fell below the MLB average of 94%, painting a picture of inconsistency.

Frankly, Scherzer might've been on to something – flipping a coin might've been a more accurate method of pitch calling than Bucknor's antics.

Scherzer's sarcastic antics were just the latest episode in the ongoing saga between the pitcher and the umpire. Their complex relationship dates back to 2015, when Bucknor made a controversial call that influenced a walk-off base hit, prompting Scherzer's criticism. This incident was a prelude to the future interactions between the two.

In the 2025 season, tensions flared up during a Blue Jays game, when Bucknor made several questionable calls. Bucknor missed 11 calls in the first four innings, nine going against the Blue Jays, and Max Scherzer, who wasn't pitching in that game, publically ridiculed Bucknor by imitating coin flips in the dugout. This gesture was seen as a commentary on Bucknor's inconsistent strike zone.

Scherzer's playful taunt was part of a broader criticism of Bucknor's umpiring, with the umpire facing significant backlash throughout his career due to numerous missed calls. This season, Bucknor has been accused of missing 15 ball-strike calls in a Rockies-Athletics game, including four incorrect strikeout calls[2]. Scherzer's antics garnered support from Blue Jays fans, underscoring the ongoing issues with Bucknor's umpiring.

The controversy between Scherzer and Bucknor mirrors a larger public perception issue with MLB umpiring, particularly with officials like Bucknor who have been criticized for their performance. Scherzer's actions, while light-hearted and sarcastic, reflect the tension between players and umpires when calls are perceived as inconsistent or incorrect.

In the 2025 season, Max Scherzer, recalling a controversial call from 2015, publicly ridicules umpire CB Bucknor during a Blue Jays game, imitating coin flips in the dugout to comment on Bucknor's inconsistent strike zone.
CB Bucknor, who has faced significant backlash throughout his career for numerous missed calls, shows a 92% overall accuracy in agame against the Cleveland Guardians, which is below the MLB average of 94%, suggesting a lack of consistency in his performance.
Scherzer's sarcastic antics, part of a broader criticism of Bucknor's umpiring, garnered support from Blue Jays fans, mirroring a larger public perception issue with MLB umpiring, particularly with officials like Bucknor who are often criticized for their performance.
The ongoing saga between Scherzer and Bucknor is emblematic of the tension between players and umpires in sports, especially when calls are perceived as inconsistent or incorrect, highlighting the need for improved umpiring consistency across Major League Baseball (MLB).