One of the best careers in baseball this season is coming to an end. Justin Verlander announced that he will retire at the end of the current season. Earlier today, Verlander was selected as a “legendary pick” for the All-Star game. Verlander released a statement thanking commissioner Rob Manfred for honoring him and disclosed the issues within that statement.
“This season has challenged me in a way I’ve never seen before,” said Verlander’s statement, “physically and mentally. I’ve always believed that as long as I can compete at the level that is expected of me, I will continue to play. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a day on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me it was time.
“A few months ago, I realized that the time had come. Although I am fully committed to giving my team everything I have until the end of the season, I decided that it would be the last. It is fitting that I finish where it began – with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity.” This statement goes on to thank his family, fans, colleagues, coaches, players, clubhouse players and more.
Verlander was born in Manakin Sabot, Virginia in 1983 and played college football a few hours down the road at Old Dominion University. After three solid years for the Monarchs, he entered the 2004 draft as one of the top guys available. The Padres used the first pick Matt Bushthen the Tigers used the second pick to get Verlander. In 2005, Verlander dominated the minors, posting a 1.29 earned run average in 118 2/3 innings. He also managed to make a short major league appearance, starting two games.
He broke camp with the team in 2006 and made 30 starts, posting a 3.63 ERA in 186 innings. He was an easy choice for American League Rookie of the Year. He helped the Tigers go 95-67 and make the playoffs for the first time since 1987. They got past the Yankees in the ALDS and then the Athletics in the ALCS, although they lost to the Cardinals in the World Series.
Another strong season followed in 2007, with Verlander posting a 3.66 ERA in 32 starts. The highlight of that season was Verlander throwing a no-hitter against the Brewers on June 12. He earned his first All-Star selection that summer. He continued to be a strong presence in Detroit’s rotation over the next few years, although the club did not make the playoffs from 2007 to 2010. Verlander and the Tigers inked a five-year, $80MM extension before the 2010 season, keeping him signed in Detroit in 2014.
He reached an incredible new level in 2011. He made 34 starts that year and pitched 251 innings with a league-leading 2.40 ERA. He struck out 250 batters along the way, leading the league in that category as well. He won 24 games, which was also the highest in the league, giving him the title of Triple Crown. Clayton Kershaw also won the Triple Crown in the National League, making it the first season with Triple Crown winners since 1924. Verlander was a unanimous AL Cy Young selection and also earned MVP honors, a rare feat for a pitcher.
More to come.
