Tigers legend Justin Verlander leaves mound in tears after daughter surprises him during final career start
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Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel honors MLB legend Tommy John following his passing at age 83. Siegel explains how the revolutionary ulnar collateral ligament surgery saved John’s career and revolutionized sports medicine, with over 2,500 pitchers undergoing the procedure. Siegel also analyzes Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s newly announced child fitness and nutrition agenda.
Who said there is no crying in baseball?
Justin Verlander’s final start of his illustrious career brought out all the emotions, including some tears from the 42-year-old. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch came out of the dugout to pull the legendary starter after 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball in the Tigers’ 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday but didn’t walk to the mound.
Hinch instead brought out someone special to Verlander to remove him from his last start: his daughter, Genevieve.
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Genevieve Verlander runs to hug her father, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander, as catcher Dillon Dingler looks on during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 26, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Genevieve came sprinting out of her seat and gave her dad a hug by the pitcher’s mound. Verlander embraced his daughter for more than 15 seconds as his body shook with emotion and the tears began to flow. The emotional Verlander then composed himself as he hugged his infielders one final time.
After hugging his teammates, he walked off the mound hand-in-hand with his daughter as the raucous Tigers crowd gave their longtime ace a rousing ovation.
Before greeting his teammates, he hugged his wife, Kate Upton, who was holding their second child. The 2011 American League MVP then high-fived all of his teammates and coaches, who had all come out of the dugout, before walking down the dugout steps with Upton and Genevieve.
TIGERS LEGEND JUSTIN VERLANDER’S FINAL CAREER START SIGNALS THE SAD END OF AN ERA IN BASEBALL
Genevieve Verlander hugs her father, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander, during the sixth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
As he walked down the steps alongside his family, he saluted the fans with his hat.
The whole scene felt like something out of a movie – and a fitting end for one of the best pitchers of his generation.
Verlander, who was making just his second start of the year due to injury, still flashed a 95 mph fastball and struck out six Pirates hitters. His final career start was his first at Comerica Park in 3,324 days.
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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander acknowledges the crowd after being taken out of the game during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
With Verlander riding off into the sunset, he also takes with him the era of the workhorse starting pitcher.
In addition to his MVP Award, he won three Cy Young Awards and a Triple Crown, was named Rookie of the Year, made 10 All-Star teams, won two ERA titles and is a two-time World Series champion.
Next for Verlander? Cooperstown.
