Max Scherzer and Erica May met at the University of Missouri, where both were pitchers: he in baseball and she as a scholarship pitcher in softball. They married in 2013 and have since built a life together centered on athletics and human rights advocacy.
Two Athletes on the Same Mound
The story of Max Scherzer and Erica May begins on the Mizzou campus, where they shared more than just a university degree: both dominated the pitcher’s mound from different perspectives. She was a scholarship pitcher in softball, meaning she arrived at the university with the level of athletic excellence that led her to compete at the highest level of women’s sports. He was already showing signs of what would become a Hall of Fame-caliber career in Major League Baseball. Baseball and softball brought them together before Max Scherzer became one of the finest pitchers of his generation.
Erica May’s Career: Human Rights Activist
Erica May is a human rights activist who has dedicated her professional career to fighting human trafficking. She serves as an ambassador for Polaris, one of the most recognized organizations defending victims of human exploitation. In 2016, she cofounded Strike Out Modern Slavery, an initiative that combines the reach of sports with social awareness. Her work reflects a deep commitment to causes that extend far beyond the baseball world.
A Hall of Fame Career in Major League Baseball
While Erica May built her path in activism, Max Scherzer wrote one of the most remarkable stories in modern baseball. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, pitcher of three no-hitters, and a member of championship teams like the Washington Nationals in 2019, Scherzer established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. His career spanned teams including the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets, accumulating more than 3,000 strikeouts in Major League Baseball.
Family and Shared Commitment
Max Scherzer and Erica May have four children. Their family life has developed alongside the demands of an elite Major League Baseball career and her work in human rights defense. Both have demonstrated that it’s possible to balance the responsibilities of professional sports with a genuine commitment to social causes. The couple represents athletes who understand their platform as an opportunity to create impact beyond the playing field.
| How They Met | At the University of Missouri, where both were pitchers |
| Year of Marriage | 2013 |
| Children | Four |
| Erica May’s Occupation | Human rights activist, Polaris ambassador, cofounder of Strike Out Modern Slavery |
FAQ
Where did Max Scherzer and Erica May meet?
They met at the University of Missouri, where she was a scholarship pitcher in softball and he played baseball.
What does Erica May do?
She is a human rights activist focused on fighting human trafficking. She is an ambassador for Polaris and cofounded Strike Out Modern Slavery in 2016.
How many children do they have?
They have four children.
