Justin Verlander made his first six MLB All-Star teams while pitching for the Detroit Tigers. He’s collected his 10th nod to the Midsummer Classic with the Tigers, too, only this time he’s receiving that recognition as a “Legend Pick” by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Verlander, 43, thanked Manfred for that “incredible honor” on Wednesday while announcing that he will retire after the 2026 season, his 21st in the bigs.
“This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally,” Verlander wrote in a statement he posted to social media.
“I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time.
“Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come. While I’m fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I’ve decided this will be my last.”
He added: “It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started — with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity.”
In February, Verlander agreed to a one-year deal worth $13 million to come back to the Tigers. He spent his first 12-plus seasons in the majors with the club before winning a pair of World Series and AL Cy Young Awards with the Houston Astros.
During the 2011 campaign, Verlander took home the AL’s pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250) and ERA (2.40). That season, he earned the first of his three AL Cy Young Awards and his lone AL MVP Award. Verlander helped the Tigers reach the World Series in both 2006 and 2012.
Unfortunately for the longtime right-handed ace, his return to Detroit has been marred by injuries.
This story is being updated.
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