Justin Verlander Makes Teary Farewell to 21-Year Career as Tigers Rally to Beat Pirates 4-3
- On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander made the final start of his 21-year career at Comerica Park, pitching 5 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates while allowing two runs and striking out six.
- Injuries sidelined the 43-year-old for most of his final season after he signed a one-year contract to return to the Tigers, where he debuted in 2005. Hip and hamstring issues limited him to just two starts.
- In the sixth inning, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch brought Verlander's 7-year-old daughter, Genevieve, to the mound for an emotional embrace. The sold-out Comerica Park crowd delivered a standing ovation as Verlander left the field.
- The Tigers secured a 4-3 victory, capping Verlander's career with 3,560 strikeouts, three Cy Young Awards, and two World Series titles. His Hall of Fame credentials are now complete.
- Umpire Laz Diaz, who also retires after 2026, worked behind the plate for Verlander's final start, mirroring his role in the pitcher's first postseason appearance during the 2006 American League Division Series. Both careers bookended in Detroit.
91 Articles
91 Articles
Tigers great Justin Verlander knew full well that Saturday's game in Detroit against the Pittsburgh Pirates was the final game of his 21-season career. But the way he left the game was a surprise. After a troul pop-up started the sixth inning, Tigers manager AJ Hinch walked out of the...
Justin Verlander said goodbye to the Major Leagues closing a historic 21 season race in the best baseball in the world
Justin Verlander gets a surprise from Kate Upton in his final career game
Justin Verlander officially exited Major League Baseball in style on Saturday afternoon. The legendary three-time Cy Young winner Verlander pitched the final game of his MLB career on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Verlander threw 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out six batters in front of his home crowd at Comerica Park …
Although he was champion with the Houston Astros, Detroit represented the start and end of Justin Verlander's career.
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