It’s been almost 20 years since Justin Verlander threw his first-ever career no-hitter.
Suiting up for the Detroit Tigers, he became just the fifth pitcher in franchise history to throw a no-hitter, and the first for the team since Jack Morris in 1984. The young phenom struck out 12 batters and allowed only four walks on 112 pitches.
One of said pitches reached 101 mph...in the ninth inning.
The Tigers won 4-0 that night, and one thing became clear: Verlander was special. There was no doubt he had an incredible career ahead of him. What followed, however, exceeded even the wildest expectations—his own and everyone else's.
On July 8th this season, Verlander announced that his remarkable journey is coming to an end. Once this season ends for the Tigers, that'll be it for him.
“It just felt like I was plugging holes in a boat,” Verlander said. “When you kind of put everything together and consider everything, I’ve been kind of trending toward this decision for quite a while.”
At 43 years old, Verlander is the oldest player in MLB.
So far, he has made just one start this season before going on injured with left hip inflammation. The pitcher was scheduled to return on June 21st but suffered a hamstring strain during a bullpen session that pushed his comeback.
He still plans on returning to the diamond this year.
“I do want to focus on playing the rest of the season,” said Verlander. “I think there will be a time to really sit here and reminisce and focus more on the actual retirement. Right now, my focus is still on getting out there and being the best version of myself I can be for this team. We are playing great baseball right now, and things are going well, and we’re trending in the right direction. I’m champing at the bit to be part of it.”
Detroit dominance
Detroit drafted Verlander second overall in the 2004 MLB Draft after his terrific three-year collegiate campaign at Old Dominion. He became the all-time strikeout leader in school history and the Colonial Athletic Association with 427 strikeouts in 335 2⁄3 innings while posting a 2.57 ERA.
He made his major league debut in 2005, starting two games and going 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA.
Despite fans questioning whether he belonged in the majors, the poor start didn’t intimidate Verlander. He made the Tigers’ roster next season out of spring training and took the league by storm.
That's when the show began.
In his first full year, the prodigy went 17-9 with a 3.63 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 186 innings. He allowed only a single stolen base while picking off seven baserunners with a 100 mph fastball already in his arsenal.
Verlander became the first rookie in MLB history to win 10 games before the end of June, ultimately leading to the American League Rookie of the Year Award. It was almost capped off in celebratory fashion, but the Tigers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in that year's World Series.
But Verlander quickly became the face of the franchise, and his dominance continued.
In 2009, the right-hander pulled off another remarkable feat. With the bases loaded and nobody out in the ninth inning, he escaped without allowing a run. It was the first time a pitcher had done so since Mike Moore 24 years earlier.
In 2011, the Virginia native threw his second career no-hitter and recorded his 1,000th career strikeout. During his historic season, Verlander captured the American League pitching Triple Crown by leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250), and ERA (2.40). He also posted a Major League-best 0.92 WHIP.
Unsurprisingly, he won both the AL Cy Young Award and the AL MVP Award.
Yet, the ultimate pinnacle was missing as the Tigers struggled to make a deep postseason run.
In 2012, the team returned to the World Series but was swept by the San Francisco Giants. Despite the loss, Verlander signed a seven-year contract extension with the Tigers that made him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history with a $180 million salary - that wouldn't even be top 30 right now.
Over the next four years, Verlander tried to lead Detroit back to the Fall Classic, but the franchise never returned as the future Hall of Famer also dealt with injuries. In 2014, he needed core muscle surgery and then missed Opening Day the following year due to a right triceps strain. Finally healthy in 2016, Verlander surpassed 2,000 career strikeouts and finished the season as the Cy Young Award runner-up.
Unexpected change of address
On Opening Day 2017, Verlander struck out 10 hitters, tying a franchise record. Little did he know it was going to be his last season opener as a Tiger. August 31st was the waiver trade deadline. The Tigers were 58-74 and sinking towards a rebuild. But under a contract until 2020 and pouring his heart into the franchise, Verlander was unbothered, enjoying a dinner with his then-fiancée, Kate Upton.
One hour before the deadline, his phone rang.
Detroit's General Manager Al Avila told him he was traded to the Houston Astros, pending his approval. The Astros were 80-53 and heading to the World Series as the favorites. Still, Verlander told Avila and his agent that he didn’t want to leave Detroit and blocked the trade.
A few minutes later, he got a call from Astros’ ace Dallas Keuchel, pleading Houston’s case and begging Verlander to join them. At 11:59 p.m., he finally relented. The MLB received the fax at 11:59:58, just two seconds before the deadline.
The superstar was going to Houston.
That year, Verlander finally put a ring on it—and not just by marrying Kate Upton. The trade paid immediate dividends as the Astros reached the World Series and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. Verlander captured his first World Series title just three days before tying the knot.
Houston returned to the World Series in 2019 but fell to the Washington Nationals. Verlander kept starting for the Astros before undergoing groin surgery in the spring of 2020, followed by a six-week recovery period. His return was short-lived; in September, Verlander announced he needed Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his elbow.
It sidelined him for two years and was the type of injury that could end his career. But that was never an option for Verlander.
He came back in style for the 2022 season, storming back like he never left, proving the doubters wrong who were questioning if he could return to elite form. The 39-year-old won 18 games, posted a 1.75 ERA, led the Astros to another World Series championship, and earned his third Cy Young Award.
His unbelievable season made for one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.
After reaching the mountain top again, Verlander’s health started to deteriorate.
He signed a two-year deal with the New York Mets but started on the IL because of a low-grade teres major strain. Verlander started 16 games before the organization traded him back to Houston.
During the 2024 season, shoulder inflammation limited him to 17 appearances. After the season concluded, he became a free agent and signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the San Francisco Giants.
During his stint in California, Verlander recorded his 3,500th career strikeout. He made 29 starts and went 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA.
Homecoming
In February of this year, Verlander signed a one-year contract with the Tigers, returning to the franchise where it all began. When he toured the facility in the spring, he got emotional over looking at pictures of his younger self. Then, over a dozen Detroit Tigers players gathered behind and watched the legend work in a bullpen session.
After almost every pitch, the veteran sought guidance and advice from pitching coach Chris Fetter. When he was walking out of the bullpen nearly 30 minutes later, somebody pointed out that he had spent almost half an hour throwing pitches.
“Fair enough,” said Verlander. “You mean no one does that anymore?”
A hard-nosed competitor. A workhorse. Relentless go-getter. That’s how Verlander is known and will be remembered. He currently ranks first among all active pitchers with 266 wins and 3,554 strikeouts. Both totals also rank eighth on MLB's all-time list. Across 3,571⅓ innings, he owns a career 3.55 ERA.
“I think the body of work is something that I’m really proud of,” said Verlander. “How often I took the mound, how deep I went in games, how many innings I accrued. Just time. I always thought just being on the mound and just pitching was one of the greatest assets that a starting pitcher could give their team.”
Considering he spent his career in an era when starting pitchers had become increasingly protected and carefully managed, those numbers are even more remarkable. Verlander never complained about the game's evolution and consistently adapted to it.
But he has remained vocal about one change in particular: starters simply don't pitch as deep into games as they once did.
Legacy set in stone
Verlander has thrown 26 complete games in his career. His teammate Tarik Skubal – a two-time Cy Young Award winner and Detroit’s ace – has thrown one. When asked what it would take to achieve Verlander’s numbers, Skubal said, “I’d have to pitch until I’m 55.”
When Verlander won the MVP award in 2011, he pitched 251 innings. Skubal’s career-high is 195.1.
Since 2017, only two pitchers have thrown more than 223 innings in a single season. It was Sandy Alcantara in 2022. The other was Verlander in 2019. It's entirely possible baseball will never see workloads like that again.
Verlander is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. He captured three Cy Young Awards, two World Series trophies, and played in nine All-Star Games. This year, he makes his 10th All-Star Appearance after being selected as a Legend Pick by Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred.
“The opportunity to attend once again is something I’ll cherish, and it will be an incredibly special moment for me and my family,” Verlander said.
After 22 admirable seasons, Verlander's career is approaching its final chapter.
His legacy won't be defined solely by championships, awards, or Hall of Fame credentials.
More than anything, he'll be remembered for his perseverance, his competitiveness, and his unwavering willingness to leave everything he had on the mound.