Justin Verlander reveals why he will retire, plan to pitch again for Tigers

“It takes you right back to my first All-Star Game in San Francisco (in 2007) and the people that were in the room and hte names in the jerseys in the locker room,” Verlander said. “It is going to take me right back.”

The Tigers drafted Verlander with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 MLB draft out of Old Dominion. He debuted with the Tigers in 2005 and became an entrenched starter in 2006, on his way to winning Rookie of the Year and contributing to a pennant run.

In his first 13 seasons with the team, Verlander was 183-144 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He won the 2011 AL Cy Young and MVP in a season where he went 25-5 with a 2,40 ERA across 34 starts. Verlander had four other top-five Cy Young finishes in Detroit, as well as two of his three no-hitters.

Out of all the accolades, Verlander took the most pride in the number of starts he made and innings he threw, serving as a consistent pillar of support for two decades straight.

“One of the things I am most proud of is how often I took the mound, how deep I went into games, how many innings I threw,” Verlander said. “I always thought just being on the mound, just pitching, was one of the greatest assests a starting pitcher can give their team.”

Verlander’s late career resurgence with the Astros resulted in personal accolades as well as two World Series trophies. He reached that stage twice with the Tigers, losing both times in 2006 and 2012, but won the 2017 and 2022 titles in Houston.

“His influence on young pitchers, his consistent learning, his competitiveness, and dare I say edge, on the days he pitches, all of those things stand out,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who also won the World Series with Verlander in 2017.

Verlander will appear on Hall of Fame ballots in 2031, five years after his retirement.

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal joked with Verlander that plenty of the all-time great starting pitchers in baseball history have returned after a first retirement announcement. But Verlander insisted 2026 will be the last of his playing career.

“I don’t anticipate that,” Verlander said with a smile.

Contact Jared Ramsey at jramsey@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Justin Verlander reveals why he will retire, plan to pitch again for Tigers