Frederick John Scherman, Jr. (born July 25, 1944) is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1976.

He compiled a 33-26 record in eight major league seasons with a 3.66 earned run average (ERA), 39 saves, and 297 strikeouts.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Scherman signed with the Minnesota Twins in 1963, but was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1964.

Scherman concluded his career pitching in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system in 1977 and in Japan during the 1978 season.

He entered Little League three months after having the brace removed in December 1953 and found that he had an advantage because he could throw so hard.

"[2] He attended Dayton's Fairview High School where he threw a screwball as a pitcher for the baseball team.

[4] Scherman also attended Ohio State University where he majored in civil engineering for two quarters.

[5] During the 1964 season, he played for the Single-A Orlando Twins in the Florida State League, compiling a 14-13 record with a 2.33 ERA in 30 games (28 as a starter).

[7] Based on Federoff's recommendation, the Tigers drafted Scherman from the Twins in December 1964 for a price of $8,000.

[9] Scherman spent a total of four seasons in the Tigers' farm system, including stints with the Rocky Mount (1965-1966), Montgomery Rebels (1966-1967), and Toledo Mud Hens (1968).

[6][10] The 1968 Toledo team, managed by Jack Tighe, compiled an 83-64 record with 13 future major league pitchers, including Scherman, Mike Marshall, Jim Rooker, Tom Timmermann, Les Cain, Dick Drago, Dick Radatz, Mike Kilkenny, and Jack DiLauro.

[11] He joined the Tigers at the start of the 1969 season and made his major league debut on April 26, 1969, giving up a home run to Carl Yastrzemski in his first appearance.

"[17] One bright spot in Scherman's 1969 season was his experience with Detroit pitching coach Johnny Sain.

Scherman credited Johnny Sain with building his confidence, encouraging him and helping him with the mental part of the game.

[18] In 1970, Scherman spent his first full season in the majors, joining Tom Timmermann, John Hiller, and Daryl Patterson in the Tigers' bullpen.

[19] He earned his first save on May 22,[20] appeared in 48 games for the Tigers (all in relief), and compiled a 4-4 record with a 3.23 ERA.

[29] In 1973, Detroit's other left-handed reliever, John Hiller, posted a 1.44 ERA, appeared in 65 games, and set a major league record with 38 saves.

"[31] With Hiller established as Detroit's left-handed closer, Scherman was traded from the Tigers to the Houston Astros for Gary Sutherland and Jim Ray at the Winter Meetings on December 3, 1973.

[36] Scherman began the 1975 season with the Astros and compiled a 0-1 record and 4.96 ERA in 16 relief appearances.

[1] On April 20, he gave up a two-run, two-out, ninth-inning home run to Pete Rose to lose a game for Houston.

[37] On June 8, 1975, the Montreal Expos announced that they had acquired Scherman for cash and future considerations.

Manager Gene Mauch said at the time: "Fred has given us a chance to win all six games he started.

[1] On July 7, he was asked to report to the Expos' farm club in Denver; he refused and was unconditionally released.

[39] Scherman pitched 10 scoreless innings during the preseason, but the Pirates opted to release him in late March.

[43] When no other team claimed him, the Pirates sent him to their Columbus Clippers farm club in the International League.

[6] In 1978, Scherman moved to Japan with his wife and two pre-school children pursuant to a contract with the Hiroshima Carp.

[45] Scherman and his wife, Frankie, adopted two children: son, Fred III, and daughter, Andrea.