DETROIT – A sendoff made for legends. On Saturday, beloved Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander took the mound for the final time. In an emotional farewell, he walked off the field with his young daughter as Comerica Park roared with a packed house of fans.
“Shoutout to the fans,” A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers manager, said. “They welcomed Justin back to the mound in a fashion that is meant for legends.”
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A fashion meant for legends – even that might be an understatement.
JV’s daughter, 7-year-old Genevieve, sprinted toward him. A jog and a hug — the perfect punctuation mark on his storied career.
It’s a picture that says this was about far more than baseball, especially for dads like Stephen McGee.
“The hug was just. It is every dad’s dream to be on the mound and it’s every dad’s dream to be hugged by his daughter like that,” McGee said.
Local 4 talked to dozens of fans on this special day, and the takeaway was clear — Justin Verlander isn’t just a baseball player to so many people.
He’s part of their families, their memories and the fabric of this city.
“The fact that his daughter was able to have that moment, but also watch him pitch and see dad prepare,” Hinch said. “She came out to a couple bullpens and Kate had brought their entire family out a couple different times this season. That is just a special reminder that he’s not Justin Verlander to them, he’s dad.”
For nearly two decades, some of the best days for Detroit sports fans have been shaped by number 35.
One dad said his daughter was born on the same day as JV’s 2007 no-hitter.
“Born at Henry Ford Hospital just a few miles away. Nostalgic. She’s 19 years old now and this is nostalgic to be here on his retirement,” he said.
Nineteen years old now — and in the blink of an eye, so many memories made in between.
“Amazing pitcher growing up, he got rookie of the year, Cy Young multiple times, MVP of the American league. Amazing player,” young fan Eric Crane said.
“What are the words that come to mind, are there any?” Local 4 asked McGee.
“I mean my hands are shaking right now. It was so iconic. Justin Verlander’s last game. It’s a historic moment in the city right now, but that made it historic in the century. It’s a history moment in baseball,” McGee said.
