John Samuel "Double no-hit" Vander Meer (November 2, 1914 – October 6, 1997) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1937 through 1951. He played for the Cincinnati Reds (1937–1949), Chicago Cubs (1950) and Cleveland Indians (1951) and is most notable as being the only MLB pitcher to throw two consecutive no-hitters.

Vander Meer threw left-handed and batted as a switch hitter. He was born in Midland Park, New Jersey. A four-time All-Star, Vander Meer compiled a 119–121 record with 1294 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA in 2104⅔ innings over a 13-year Major League career. Along with Tim Lincecum (2008–2010), Randy Johnson (1999–2002), and Warren Spahn (1949–52), Vander Meer is one of only four NL pitchers since 1940 to lead the league in strikeouts in three straight seasons (1941–43). Just those four and Dizzy Dean (1932–35) have done it since 1931. He had 29 career shutouts.

Vander Meer is the only pitcher in major league history to pitch no-hitters in two consecutive starts. On June 11, 1938, he no-hit the Boston Bees at Crosley Field. Four nights later, in the first night game played at Ebbets Field, he no-hit the Brooklyn Dodgers. After his double no-hit achievement, Reds management wanted Vander Meer to change his uniform number to "00" but he declined.^{[citation needed]}

Maxwell M. "Max" Scherzer (born July 27, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

After playing for Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, Missouri, Scherzer was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 43rd round (1,291st overall) in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft but did not sign and instead attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He was then drafted again in 2006 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, this time in the 1st round as the 11th overall pick. On January 9, 2012 it was announced that Scherzer would be one of six new inductees to the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. While at Mizzou he was Big 12 Pitcher of the Year in 2005. He was Mizzou's first-ever 1st round MLB pick.

He began playing in the Diamondbacks organization in 2007 with the Single-A Visalia Oaks. He was promoted to Double-A Mobile BayBears after three impressive starts for the Oaks. In 2007, Scherzer also played for the Fort Worth Cats, an independent baseball team. During the 2008 offseason, he was named the fourth-best prospect in the Diamondback's organization. After a good start to the 2008 season in Tucson he was called up to the Diamondbacks on April 27, 2008.