DETROIT — As far as sendoffs go, sure, there have been better ones.
But Justin Verlander and the Tigers couldn’t have asked for a whole lot better in the future Hall-of-Famer’s final start of his major-league career Saturday, Sept. 26, before a sold-out crowd of 41,377 at Comerica Park.
“I gave my all every single time I took the mound,” Verlander said after his stunning, six-strikeout performance, in just his second start of an injury-plagued final season. “Today was no different.”
Said Tigers manager AJ Hinch: “It was a great finish to a great day.”
Not only did Verlander throw 5.1 impressive innings, allowing just two runs (on solo homers) on five hits while walking one. He featured some vintage “Must-See JV” stuff, including a wipeout slider and a 95-mph fastball.
Then, long after he left the game in the sixth inning in an uber-emotional scene, the Tigers won in dramatic fashion, too, 4-3 on a walk-off homer by rookie Eduardo Valencia in the bottom of the ninth inning. The walk-off saved Verlander from one more loss.
Verlander finished his career 266-159. He took the no-decision Saturday, while he gave the fans, teammates and coaches one heck of a lasting memory.
“He certainly did his part,” said Hinch, “to leave us with a reminder of why he was one of the best of all-time.”
Here’s a look at some of the most notable final games in Tigers history:
- Justin Verlander — Sept. 26, 2026, at Comerica Park: 5.1 innings, two runs, five hits, six strikeouts, walk.
- Miguel Cabrera — Oct. 1, 2023, at Comerica Park: 0-for-3, walk.
Alan Trammell — Sept. 29, 1996, at Tiger Stadium: 2-for-4, RBI.
Lou Whitaker — Oct. 1, 1995, at Tiger Stadium: 0-for-1.
Al Kaline — Oct. 2, 1974, at Tiger Stadium: 0-for-2.
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.Billy Chapel — 1999, at Yankee Stadium: Perfect game. (OK, yeah this was fictional, but Saturday had a little of that “For Love of the Game” feel to it for the 43-year-old Verlander. Plus, Oscar winner and avid Tigers fan J.K. Simmons, Kevin Coster’s manager in the movie, was in attendance Saturday and even announced Verlander before the game, so we figured we’d add this to the list.)
Justin Verlander — Sept. 26, 2026, at Comerica Park: 5.1 innings, two runs, five hits, six strikeouts, walk.
Alan Trammell — Sept. 29, 1996, at Tiger Stadium: 2-for-4, RBI.
Lou Whitaker — Oct. 1, 1995, at Tiger Stadium: 0-for-1.
Al Kaline — Oct. 2, 1974, at Tiger Stadium: 0-for-2.
Billy Chapel — 1999, at Yankee Stadium: Perfect game. (OK, yeah this was fictional, but Saturday had a little of that “For Love of the Game” feel to it for the 43-year-old Verlander. Plus, Oscar winner and avid Tigers fan J.K. Simmons, Kevin Coster’s manager in the movie, was in attendance Saturday and even announced Verlander before the game, so we figured we’d add this to the list.)
Saturday was just the Tigers’ seventh walk-off win of the season, and their first since June. It was their second walk-off homer (Spencer Torkelson, against the Milwaukee Brewers in April). According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Valencia became the first Tigers rookie to hit a walk-off homer while trailing since Lou Whitaker in July 1978.
Valencia, 17 years Verlander’s junior, will forever be tied to the legendary Tiger, no matter how long Valencia is a Tiger.
“To get the win for him,” said Valencia, “this was really fun, this moment.”
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