Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander Is a Fine Wine, Gets Better With Time

Former Detroit Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander is like a fine wine.  He keeps getting better with Time.  He’s won his second Cy Young Trophy at the prime age of 36.

Justin Verlander just won his second Cy Young trophy.  The former Detroit Tigers legend was able to edge out his Houston Astros teammate and current free agent Gerrit Cole.  In all seriousness, this should be Justin Verlander’s third Cy Young Trophy.  The award is given to the league’s top pitcher.  Verlander missed out to his former teammate Rick Procello following the 2016 season. Verlander received more first-place votes than Porcello and had better numbers across the board but still lost out on the award due to the secondary votes.

I can’t help but continue to remember when many fans thought Justin Verlander was washed up.  The very durable bulldog was never found on the injury list; he always found a way to pitch through his ailments.  A core injury landed him on the injury list and eventually led to surgery.

When Verlander felt like he was fit to start pitching again, it was, without a doubt, an uphill battle.  Every time out, he was getting blown up, struggling to reach the same velocity with his fastball he once did. His 12-6 curveball wasn’t diving to the bottom of the strike zone finishing with a batter waving a bat that appeared more like a pool noodle than a baseball bat at the pitch finishing in the dirt. Instead, that hanging curveball was finishing over a stadium fence with a runner trotting around the bases.

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One thing about Justin Verlander, he demands so much of himself.  Look at him, he’s got all the money one can dream of, he’s got the supermodel wife, the fastest car on the block.  He’s got more sportscars than anyone could ever imagine.  He’s won a World Series title, a Cy Young (now two), meaning he’s been the best pitcher in all of baseball.

The former Detroit Tigers starter takes the baseball each and every night with the expectation of pitching a perfect game.  He’s a gamer.  Justin is never short on words; during his struggles with the Detroit Tigers, he told the fans who all but gave up on him that he was close to returning to form.  Many laughed with skepticism.

But he wasn’t lying.  Justin Verlander retooled his repetiteur, knowing he can reach back and find 98 MPH when he needs it but can pitch effectively on the corners with 93 MPH and mixing in his off-speed pitches, keeping hitters honest.  Young Justin would start the ball game with 99 MPH and try and finish it with 100 MPH.

Verlander at 36 years old isn’t over the hill like many pitchers his age plus he’s an aged 36 when you think about all the wear and tear on that right arm of his. He’s a robot or something.  He keeps getting better with age!  Verlander has tossed 2982 regular-season innings in addition to his 187 postseason frames throughout his career.  He’s already cemented his future in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Justin is the oldest pitcher to win the Cy Young since ‘the rocket’ Roger Clemens in 2004.  It’s only fitting after the season he produced with the Houston Astros.  Verlander finished with a record of 21-6, with a 2.58 ERA through 223 innings.  Verlander struck out 300 batters for the first time in his career and finished with a career-best 0.803 WHIP.

Congratulations Justin, Detroit will always be home.  We miss you, ACE!