Pitcher Justin Verlander wraps up 21-year career
DETROIT —
Justin Verlander made his MLB debut on July 4, 2005, at 22 years and 134 days old. He was 43 years and 218 days old when he took the mound for the final time.
Video above: Justin Verlander makes minor league rehab appearance
The three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched against the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday for the 557th start of his career.
Against Pittsburgh, he gave up two solo home runs, but also struck out six batters. He pitched five complete innings and faced one batter in the sixth inning. He recorded an out and then was greeted on the pitcher’s mound by his daughter, Genevieve.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch then grabbed the ball from the 43-year-old ace for the final time. His teammates gathered for hugs and the sold-out crowd at Comerica Park in Detroit serenaded Verlander with cheers and a standing ovation. His wife, model Kate Upton, and son Bellamy greeted the star pitcher and Genevieve before walking down the dugout steps for the final time.
He racked up 3,566 strikeouts in his illustrious career, which ranks eighth all-time in Major League Baseball.
Making his second stint with the Tigers, the team he originally played for from 2005 to 2017, Verlander had not appeared in a game since March 30 this season while dealing with several injuries.
Jose Juarez
Genevieve Verlander, left, hugs her dad, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander, during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Detroit.
Verlander won two World Series as a member of the Houston Astros. He also played in short stints for the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.
His other honors include Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year. He was also a 10-time All-Star, five-time American League strikeout leader, four-time American League wins leader and two-time American League earned run average leader.
On Saturday, while Verlander exited with his team trailing 2-0, the Tigers mounted a comeback and earned a 4-3 win over the Pirates with three runs coming in the bottom of the ninth inning.
