The move ends a 21-year career that included three Cy Young Awards, two World Series championships and an MVP trophy.
The 43-year-old Tigers veteran pitcher, who happens to be the oldest active player in Major League Baseball, made the decision just after MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred selected him as the “legend pick” for the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
Verlander said in a statement: “I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the past few months, I realized the time was right.”
“Even though I am fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the remainder of this season, I have decided that this will be my last. It is only fitting that I end up where it all began, with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity,” he added.
This season has been difficult for Verlander, as he has been affected by multiple injuries, including hip inflammation and a hamstring strain suffered during a bullpen session.
He admitted: “This season challenged me in a way I had never experienced before, both physically and mentally. I always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I would continue to play.”
He ranks eighth all-time with 3,554 strikeouts in 3,571+1⁄2 innings and has a career record of 266–159 with a 3.33 ERA.
