Justin Verlander professes love for Tigers, foreshadows HOF plaque decision

Despite needing to leave to win a championship, Justin Verlander's eventual plaque inside the Baseball Hall of Fame will likely show him wearing the Detroit Tigers' logo on his cap. Verlander even foreshadowed that decision during a pregame speech a day ahead of the final start of his career. 

Justin Verlander spoke from the heart in a pregame speech on Friday 

"I am, and always will be, a Detroit Tiger," said an emotional Verlander on Friday evening. 

Verlander spoke to the Comerica Park crowd for the last time as an active player and member of the Tigers. And he spent most of his speech thanking the Detroit fans for their unwavering support throughout a trying 2026 season that he hoped would be more of a farewell tour than it became. 

"I always hoped I'd get the chance to come back here to Detroit to finish my career where it all started. And although I certainly did not intend on things going the way they did this season, your love and support has meant the world to me and got me through what's been a very tough season."

Verlander thanked the Detroit fans for sticking by him through a trying final season 

Dreaming of going out while helping to lead the Tigers back to the playoffs, Verlander instead was forced to sit out most of the season with an injury and log just 3.2 innings from one lone start on March 30 — he gave up five runs off six hits and earned the loss — up until he takes the mound on Saturday to officially close the book on his career.

But no matter what happened during his 21st season, Verlander secured his place as one of the best pitchers in baseball history long ago. Because he arguably had already put together a Hall of Fame-worthy career just from his initial tenure with the Tigers alone.