Justin Verlander said that driving down Interstate 75 toward downtown to Comerica Park felt just like yesterday. Though the roads are better, the route remained the same.
“Coming to the park, getting on the interstate and getting off at Mack [Avenue] and doing all the things I used to do, it’s like, ‘OK, this feels normal,’’’ Verlander said.
New Locker Room, Familiar City
Once inside, the old-time feeling changed. “In the locker room, I have no idea where I’m going,” he said, “because it’s brand new. So also, that’s very different.”
Reminders of Verlander’s importance to Detroit were visible around the park. Verlander jerseys, potentially in storage for years, were seen. The downtown area surrounding the ballpark has changed significantly since he last pitched for the Tigers nine years ago.
“Really just more than anything, I think being part of the city, it’s quite frankly really cool to come back,” he said. “It was already changing when I left, but to see how it’s grown now, and we’ve got guys living downtown, which is not the way it was early in my career.
Ceremonial First Pitch
Verlander received a message from Brandon Inge, who threw Friday’s ceremonial first pitch.
“[Brandon] Inge texted me today, said I better catch the first pitch,” Verlander said with a smile. “So I’ll be out there.”
Inge, a fan favourite, played as a Tigers catcher-turned-third baseman from 2001-12. Inge played behind Verlander for the last half of that tenure and was the third baseman for both of Verlander’s no-hitters as a Tiger, in 2007 and ’11.
Embracing the Return
“I just have so many memories here,” Verlander said. “I grew up [here]. I was a kid when I came here. I left, and I feel like I’m just a totally different person now. Family, 43 years old, a lot of perspective, and I’m excited to come back and just kind of relive it and embrace the time that I had here and look back fondly and hopefully continue to make a mark.”
Tigers fans are also embracing his return. The ovation he received during pregame introductions on Friday was anticipated. The reception should be raucous when he takes the mound at Comerica Park wearing the Olde English D for the first time in nine years on Sunday night.
It should feel like a second home opener, although with much cooler temperatures. Starting the finale of the three-game series gives Verlander a couple of days here to prepare.
“I think it’s nice to go out there on the field and kind of like get back in the bullpen,” Verlander said. “We’re such routine creatures, starting pitchers, so new locker room, new everything, you kind of get your bearings so there’s no surprises.”
Verlander has had more pressing issues since making his Tiger