DETROIT — Justin Verlander plans to call it a career later this year.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner, two-time World Series champion and 2011 AL MVP will retire after this season with the Detroit Tigers.
Verlander made the announcement on Wednesday, shortly after he was added as a “Legend Pick” to the American League All-Star roster.
“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,” Verlander, a right-handed pitcher, shared on social media. “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.”
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All-Star Game tribute
While he will not play in the All-Star Game, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Verlander will be at Tuesday’s game at Citizens Bank Park and will be honored during the festivities.
“The opportunity to attend once again is something I’ll cherish and it will be an incredibly special moment for me and my family,” said Verlander, who is married to model Kate Upton and has two children.
Verlander has a career record of 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA in 556 starts across 21 major league seasons with the Tigers, Astros, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. He has 3,554 strikeouts and has tossed 26 complete games, including nine shutouts.
He joins Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper as a Legend Pick for the 2026 Midsummer Classic. Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Clayton Kershaw were honored at previous All-Star games.
Baseball’s biggest stars are descending on Philadelphia for the 96th All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14. Follow all of The Inquirer’s coverage here.
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Oldest player in the majors
Verlander, 43, is the oldest player in Major League Baseball. He signed a one-year, $13 million contract to rejoin the Tigers in February.
Verlander allowed five runs in 3⅔ innings in his only start this year, a 9-6 road loss at Arizona on March 30.
“It’s time for the next chapter,” Verlander said. “But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how — with everything I’ve got.”
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Injuries this season
He went on the injured list with hip inflammation early in the season, and, when he was nearing a return last month, he pulled a hamstring during a bullpen session.
“I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar,” Verlander said. “I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come.”
He was scheduled to pitch in June and make what would have been his first start with the Tigers at Comerica Park since Aug. 30, 2017 — the day before he was traded to the Astros.
Cy Young winner, World Series champ
He went 183-115 from 2005 to 2017 with the Tigers. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2006 and was the AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner in 2011. He helped Detroit reach the World Series in 2006 and 2012 along with four straight division titles from 2011 to 2014.
Verlander was drafted second overall in 2004 by the Tigers. Their front office at the time was led by Dave Dombrowski, who’s now the Phillies’ president of baseball operations.
Verlander was the 2017 ALCS MVP in Houston and helped the Astros win the World Series that year and was a key player for them when they won another title in 2022. He won his second and third Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022.
“I’ve been fortunate to play with and against incredible players, for outstanding organizations, and compete in front of fans who deeply appreciate the game,” Verlander said.
Dan Baker has been the Phillies’ public-address announcer for 54 seasons, the longest active run and third-longest all-time. And on July 14, he will become the first PA announcer to work three All-Star games. He sat down with “Phillies Extra” to discuss his memories from 1976 and 1996 at Veterans Stadium, his favorite names to announce, and more. Watch here.
You can also subscribe to the podcast version of Phillies Extra on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Previous episodes: Ricky Bottalico | Preston Mattingly | Caleb Cotham | Larry Bowa | Joe Maddon | Rhys Hoskins | Terry Francona | Aaron Rowand | Hunter Pence
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