For the 595th and final time, Justin Verlander took a major-league mound Saturday afternoon, capping a future first-ballot Hall of Fame career. He battled back from hip and hamstring injuries that had sidelined him since March 30, making this comeback truly wild.
Comerica Park Erupts For JV’s Final Ride
Man, Detroit was absolutely buzzing. Verlander, drafted by them way back in 2004, made his farewell appearance at Comerica Park. During a Friday pregame ceremony, he thanked Tigers fans for their ‘love and support,’ saying it ‘meant the world to me.’ He even told them, ‘I am, and always will be, a Detroit Tiger.’ The emotion was palpable! He got cheered warming up, walking across the field, and again stepping onto the mound for the first inning. It was his first time on that mound in 3,324 days! His first pitch, a 92 mph fastball to Pittsburgh’s Ryan O’Hearn, was fouled off. JV then went 1-2-3 in that first inning, taking just 13 pitches to get O’Hearn, Brandon Lowe, and Bryan Reynolds all to hit routine popups and fly balls. What a start!
Skipped Rehab and Ringing Up No. 3,555
Before the game, JV was clear about his plan, or lack thereof. ‘There’s no script. I want to go as long as I can,’ he declared. This dude literally skipped ‘about a month’s worth of rehab’ just for this final start! Talk about dedication. He knew the risk, adding, ‘I don’t want to just go out there and throw 20 pitches. I think everybody feels comfortable with 20 pitches, and then after that, we’re kind of in a ‘who knows’ zone.’ He pushed past that zone big time. In the second inning, he got Oneil Cruz to chase a breaking ball for career strikeout No. 3,555. That was the first of six K’s he racked up. His final strikeout? Ronny Simon, who swung through a fastball in the fifth. Simon tried to bunt earlier, so JV buzzed him with a high fastball, pure old-school baseball right there.
The Unscripted Finish For A Legend
And get this, Konnor Griffin, Pittsburgh’s shortstop, wasn’t even born when Verlander debuted on July 4, 2005. Griffin was born April 24, 2006! He actually lined a single in his first at-bat before being thrown out trying to steal second by catcher Dillon Dingler. It just shows how long JV has dominated. All told, Verlander battled through 5 ⅓ innings, tossing 91 pitches. He gave up two runs, both on solo home runs, but left it all out there. After Brandon Lowe popped up to open the sixth, that was it. What a warrior.
So yeah, what an emotional day for baseball. Verlander went out his way, grinding through 5 ⅓ innings and reminding everyone why he’s heading straight to Cooperstown as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. You gotta respect that, man.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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