Justin Verlander is calling it a career after this season, a decision the 43-year-old righty confirmed at the All-Star Game festivities in Philadelphia. Verlander, currently the oldest active player in MLB, isn't going out because he was forced, though. He's at peace with it, making the call himself after realizing his body just isn't letting him hit the marks he expects from himself anymore. This isn't some sudden "aha" moment for the future Hall of Famer, but a conclusion he slowly reached as his physical health kept him from doing everything he wanted on the mound.
Plugging Holes In A Leaky Boat
Verlander spoke about his choice on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, saying he feels good about it all. "I'm in a good mental space," he shared, adding, "I do feel like it's the right time. And if I want to control my own destiny, which I do, I want to leave the game when I'm ready to go, and not have the game force me out." He's only made one start for the Detroit Tigers this season, battling hip pain and a hamstring strain. He described dealing with those injuries like he was "plugging holes in a leaky boat," which paints a pretty clear picture of the struggle. He knows what he needs to do mechanically to be healthy and compete, but parts of his body just can't keep up. It's a tough pill to swallow for any elite athlete, especially one who's always been so objective about his own performance.A Trophy Case Like No Other
When Verlander steps off the mound for the last time this year, he's leaving as one of baseball's absolute greatest. Chris Sale, the Braves' All-Star lefty, summed it up perfectly: "It's tough. It's hard to see him go. Since I've been in the big leagues, to be completely honest with you, I think pound for pound, if he's not the best pitcher in the league, he was damn close." Verlander's resume is stacked, man. We're talking three Cy Youngs, a two-time ERA title winner, and the 2011 American League MVP. He's also a two-time champion, the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year, and a ten-time All-Star. He's the active leader in strikeouts with 3,554, wins at 266, games started with 556, complete games (26!), shutouts (nine!), and a massive 3571.1 innings pitched. That's a legacy. Even with that insane trophy case, Verlander admits there were a couple of milestones he would've loved to hit: 300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts. He knows those were "a ways off," and everything would've had to go "absolutely perfect" to get there. It just shows you the insane standards this guy held himself to. He's the last of an era, a blend of pure dominance, incredible durability, and championship pedigree. This season marks the end of an incredible run for a first-ballot Hall of Famer. While he's at peace with his decision, the game loses one of its true legends. What a career to look back on for years to come.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.