Justin Verlander made his final MLB start for the Detroit Tigers against the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend, capping a Hall of Fame career that has spanned more than 15 years. The Tigers held a retirement ceremony for Verlander on Friday, per CBS Sports, where he thanked fans for their "love and support." According to Sportsnet, Verlander took the field alone during his final introduction at Comerica Park.
Verlander's longevity has been striking. Per Reddit's r/baseball, he won the American League MVP in 2011—a year before many players who have since completed their entire careers even debuted. The span between Verlander's peak and his retirement underscores his durability and sustained excellence across baseball's competitive landscape.
The Tigers opened their final series of 2026 with an 8-7 win over Pittsburgh on Friday, with Jackson Jobe earning the victory after 5⅓ innings of work.