Justin Verlander announced on Wednesday that this season would be the last of his career. His return to the Detroit Tigers hasn't gone as planned.
He's given up five earned runs in just three and two thirds innings of work due to injury. Even more disappointing than those numbers was the wasted bikini welcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit had for him ahead of what was supposed to be his first home start back in April.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 21: Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) with his wife, Kate Upton, prior to the Fathers' Day game between Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers on June 21, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Verlander missed that start and hasn't pitched in a game since his first start of the season in Arizona back in March. His retirement announcement came after Major League Baseball revealed that he had been selected to his 10th All-Star Game as a "Legend Pick."
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The game of baseball has told him it's time to hang it up. The All-Star and retirement announcements have come, as you would expect, with a look back at his Hall of Fame-worthy career.
The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year and 2011 MVP has three Cy Young Awards to his name. He has two World Series rings and three no-hitters to go along with his other accolades.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 19: Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros and wife Kate Upton pose for a photo with their daughter during the All-Star Red Carpet Show at L.A. Live on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Verlander is also eighth on the all-time strikeout list with a real shot at seventh place, needing only 21 more strikeouts to pass Don Sutton.
As with any mention of his career achievements, the internet, as you would also expect, has made sure to give a well-earned hat tip to his wife, Kate Upton. A legend in her own right.
You really can't tell the full story of Justin Verlander's remarkable career without a mention of the four-time SI Swimsuit cover model.
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She's been there through every high and low. And as he pointed out in his announcement, he couldn't have done it without her.
What a career, even if it doesn't end how one of the best to ever lace up a pair of cleats hoped it would. Again, you're not sneaking a retirement announcement by the internet without a round of applause for Mrs. Verlander.
Sean Joseph is a writer for OutKick.
