Max Scherzer eye condition explained as Blue Jays star takes hill in World Series Game 7
Max Scherzer's striking two-colored eyes come from a rare condition that he's long embraced before taking the mound in Game 7 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers
Max Scherzer's eyes have always stood out as much as his four-seam fastball, and they’ll be glaring from the mound again as he takes the ball for the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series against Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Japanese two-way star poised for MVP consideration.
The veteran ace known for his competitiveness and Hall of Fame resume has two different-colored eyes — one blue, one brown — but both will be focused on earning a third World Series championship to his collection. Scherzer has a condition known as heterochromia iridis.
It's purely cosmetic and poses no threat to his health or vision. Scherzer has always embraced the unique look as an individual trait to be celebrated. "I've always celebrated it. Whether you like it or not, that's who I am," he said.
"I got one blue and one brown, there's nothing I can do about it." Those eyes weren't fully alert after his wife discarded his jersey from the laundry pile, which just so happened to be from his second career no-hitter.
READ MORE: 3 best bets for Los Angeles Dodgers vs Toronto Blue Jays in World Series Game 7READ MORE: Toronto Blue Jays can accomplish feat done one time in World Series historyHeterochromia occurs when the body produces different amounts of melanin in each iris.
According to MedlinePlus, the condition can occasionally appear as part of Horner syndrome, a disorder that affects the eye and facial nerves on one side of the face, but that link is rare.
The National Organization for Rare Disorders notes that heterochromia affects just 0.1 to 1 percent of the global population.
For Scherzer, it's just a core part of who he is. The 39-year-old embraces his unique persona that has made him a standout in baseball, whether he's excelling on the mound or expressing his emotions in the dugout.
Scherzer has made stops in Detroit, Washington, New York, and now Toronto, piling up eight All-Star selections, three Cy Young Awards, and a World Series title with the Nationals in 2019.
His trademark stare, made even more distinctive by his unique eyes, has become well-known across Major League Baseball.
Scherzer has battled through a rocky World Series so far. He took the mound in Game 3, allowing three runs across 4.1 innings in an 18-inning marathon that ended in a 6-5 loss to the Dodgers.
In the ALCS, he delivered a stronger outing against Seattle, giving up two runs over 5.2 innings in an 8-2 win. Across his playoff starts, he’s totaled 10 innings, eight hits, five earned runs, and eight strikeouts with a 4.50 ERA.
Scherzer finished the 2025 regular season with a 5-5 record, a 5.19 ERA, and 82 strikeouts.
Game 7 will mark Scherzer's second start of the series against Ohtani, who outdueled him in Game 3.