Justin Verlander is preparing to begin his 20th Major League season (or 21st, depending on whether you count his two starts in 2005) back with the Detroit Tigers. He is taking time to appreciate the moment in a way that he didn’t in the past. He will be making his return against the Diamondbacks.
Verlander’s Reflections on His Return
Verlander has made it clear he’s a different pitcher, and in some ways a different person. He was a larger-than-life presence during his first Tigers tenure. At age 43, he embraces it.
When told he begins the season as the oldest player in the American League, he embraces it.
“Is it in baseball? Or just the American League?” he asked. “Is it in all of pro sports, too? Who’s older?”
He might have had the oldest pro sports player title had Philip Rivers not come out of retirement at age 44 to quarterback the Indianapolis Colts down the stretch last season. But with Rivers now reportedly retired again, Verlander might have it.
“He’s a living legend,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s back wearing our uniform, which I know means a lot to him and our fans.”
Justin Verlander changed his profile picture on X to his 2005 Tigers’ media day picture.
“I think it’s also something I want to carry into the season,” he said after his first Spring Training start. “To what extent, I don’t know. Just being present and just enjoying it. I don’t want to sit here and sound like this is it. Like, it could be. One-year contract, if something catastrophic goes wrong, that’s it, man, I’m done. All I know is there’s not that much time left, so enjoy it while you can.”
Game Day Preparation and Mindset
When Verlander prepares for his Tigers return against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field, some things won’t change.
“I’ll have my headphones on for sure,” he said. “I just won’t be as angry.”
He will probably take a moment to savor wearing the Olde English D again.
Verlander’s Coffee Consumption and Clubhouse Dynamics
While Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize have become the clubhouse coffee connoisseurs, having bought an espresso machine and a grinder, Skubal says Verlander drinks more coffee than either of them, and more than he used to.
“Yeah, yeah, I do,” Verlander admits. “Although I’ve kind of toned it down at game time so I can get to bed. I need my sleep now at my old age.”
Facing the Diamondbacks
He’ll go to work trying to continue the Tigers’ strong start to the season against a Diamondbacks team he fared well against last year.
Verlander tossed a pair of quality starts against Arizona while with the Giants. His seven scoreless innings on three hits last September at Chase Field was one of the better performances of his second-half resurgence.
Verlander is scheduled to begin his Tigers return on Monday against the Diamondbacks.