Detroit — Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that this will be his final season.
The three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion made the announcement in a letter after he was selected to the All-Star game as a Legend Pick by commissioner Rob Manfred.
“This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally,” he wrote. “I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me it was time.
“Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come.”
Verlander, 43, who is on the injured list with a hamstring strain, said he was still committed to working his way back this season.
The three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion made the announcement in a letter after he was selected to the All-Star game as a Legend Pick by commissioner Rob Manfred.
“This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally,” he wrote. “I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me it was time.
“Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come.”
Verlander, 43, who is on the injured list with a hamstring strain, said he was still committed to working his way back this season.
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