Justin Verlander’s retirement announcement comes with a well-earned hat tip to SI Swimsuit legend Kate Upton
Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that this season will be the last of his career. His return to the Detroit Tigers did not go as planned.
He pitched in only two-thirds of the game due to injury and gave up five earned runs in two-thirds. What was even more disappointing about these numbers was this: wasted bikini welcome Sports Illustrated Swimsuit was supposed to be ahead of the home opener, which was expected to kick off in April.
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 21: Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) with wife Kate Upton before the Father’s Day game between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on June 21, 2026 (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 in March. Retirement announcement came later Major League Baseball announced He said he was selected for the 10th All-Star Game as a “Legend Pick.”
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The baseball game told him it was time to call it quits. The All-Star and retirement announcements came as you’d expect, with a glimpse into 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, among other accolades.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 19: Houston Astros’ Justin Verlander and wife Kate Upton pose for photos with their daughter during the All-Star Red Carpet Show at LA Live on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (MLB Photos via Getty Images)
PHILLIES STAR SAYS ‘BS RULE’ PREVENTS HIM FROM CALLING AN ALL-STAR IN FRONT OF HOME PEOPLE
Verlander also sits eighth on the all-time strikeout list, needing just 21 more strikes to pass Don Sutton, making a genuine shot for seventh place.
As is the case when talking about career achievements, the internet made sure to give his wife Kate Upton a well-deserved hat tip, as you’d expect. A legend in his own right.
You can’t tell the full story of Justin Verlander’s remarkable career without mentioning his four-time award win. SI Swimsuit cover model.
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He was there through every up and down. And as he noted in his announcement, he couldn’t have done it without her.
What a great career, even if it didn’t end the way one of the greatest ever to lace up a pair of cleats had hoped. Again, you can’t sneak a retirement announcement online without a round of applause for Ms. Verlander.
