Who said there is no crying in baseball?
Justin Verlander’s final start of his illustrious career brought out all the emotions, including some tears from the 42-year-old. Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch came out of the dugout to pull the legendary starter after 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball in the Tigers’ 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday but didn’t walk to the mound.
Hinch instead brought out someone special to Verlander to remove him from his last start: his daughter, Genevieve.
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Genevieve came sprinting out of her seat and gave her dad a hug by the pitcher’s mound. Verlander embraced his daughter for more than 15 seconds as his body shook with emotion and the tears began to flow. The emotional Verlander then composed himself as he hugged his infielders one final time.
After hugging his teammates, he walked off the mound hand-in-hand with his daughter as the raucous Tigers crowd gave their longtime ace a rousing ovation.
Before greeting his teammates, he hugged his wife, Kate Upton, who was holding their second child. The 2011 American League MVP then high-fived all of his teammates and coaches, who had all come out of the dugout, before walking down the dugout steps with Upton and Genevieve.
TIGERS LEGEND JUSTIN VERLANDER’S FINAL CAREER START SIGNALS THE SAD END OF AN ERA IN BASEBALL
As he walked down the steps alongside his family, he saluted the fans with his hat.
The whole scene felt like something out of a movie – and a fitting end for one of the best pitchers of his generation.
Verlander, who was making just his second start of the year due to injury, still flashed a 95 mph fastball and struck out six Pirates hitters. His final career start was his first at Comerica Park in 3,324 days.
With Verlander riding off into the sunset, he also takes with him the era of the workhorse starting pitcher.
In addition to his MVP Award, he won three Cy Young Awards and a Triple Crown, was named Rookie of the Year, made 10 All-Star teams, won two ERA titles and is a two-time World Series champion.
Next for Verlander? Cooperstown.
