And Just Like That, Justin Verlander Is Gone

Duane Burleson / Getty Images

And Just Like That, Justin Verlander Is Gone

Originally posted on Lindy's Sports | By Adam Martin | Last updated Sep 27, 2026 9:03 AM ET

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander threw his final pitch on an MLB mound as he walked away from the sport that made him famous.

Verlander pitched 5.1 innings for the Tigers, leaving with his team down 2-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates, as Tigers manager A.J. Hinch made the slow walk to the mound to lift his star, giving the fans at Comerica Park the opportunity to salute him one final time.

Before he left the mound, Verlander’s daughter with supermodel wife Kate Upton, Genevieve, ran onto the field and into her father’s arms, hugging him tightly and making anyone who watched the beautiful moment emotional as Verlander walked off the field holding his daughter’s hand, a memory that he will have for the rest of his life.

They say there’s no crying in baseball, but that simply wasn’t the case on Saturday afternoon in Detroit, as this was one of the most emotional moments ever, and Verlander truly deserved to soak it in.

By the way, Detroit came back and won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, capping off an incredible comeback to win 4-3 and ensure that Verlander didn’t take the loss in his last-ever start.

Justin Verlander and his daughter Genevieve shared an emotional moment as manager A.J. Hinch pulled him in his final MLB start.Duane Burleson / Getty Images

Justin Verlander Explains Retirement

Speaking to reporters following the game, Verlander was asked if he would reconsider hanging up his cleats, as he had a good performance in the game.

But the legend made it clear that his body was not able to endure the rigors of starting in the MLB anymore, as he only made two starts all year long, and he knew that it was all over for him.

“If I can be healthy and be on the field, I think I still got it. But, come on, I made two starts this year. I think my body’s told me that it’s time to hang them up,” Verlander said.

At age 43, Verlander was the oldest current player in the league, but that won’t be the case anymore now that he’s retired following a brilliant 22 years in the league that saw him become one of the best pitchers in baseball history.

He pitched for as long as he could, but given he only pitched in two games this year, it was obvious that this was going to be it for him.

Credit to Verlander, because he did everything that he could to heal up from his injuries that kept him out the whole season to come back and pitch this one final game.

By pitching in this game, he got the chance to share an amazing moment with his family, and you can’t put a price on that.

This article first appeared on Lindy's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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