Justin Verlander
Encyclopedia
Justin Brooks Verlander (born February 20, 1983) is an American professional baseball
pitcher
with the Detroit Tigers
of Major League Baseball
.
In 2006, he was named the American League
Rookie of the Year. On June 12, 2007, he pitched a no-hitter
—the first ever at Comerica Park
—against the Milwaukee Brewers
, striking out
12 batters and walking four. He pitched a second no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays
on May 7, 2011, in Toronto, walking one and facing the minimum 27 batters. On November 15, 2011, Verlander was named the 2011 AL Cy Young Award winner by a unanimous vote, becoming the first American League pitcher since Johan Santana
in 2006 to win the award in such a fashion. On November 21, 2011, Verlander was voted the AL MVP, winning with 280 points over Jacoby Ellsbury
's 242, completing a sweep of the Cy Young Award and MVP, a rare feat for a pitcher in the modern era.
chapter of the Communications Workers of America
, sent Justin to The Richmond Baseball Academy. Justin clocked 84 mi/h shortly after joining the academy. His velocity kept climbing, and hit 86 MPH by the time he entered Goochland High School. He had been a top pitching prospect in high school, but his career suffered a setback when he came down with strep throat
early in his senior season of baseball. A weakened Verlander topped out at 81 during that season, causing professional scouts to lose interest. After he recovered, his velocity reached 87 during his first year at Old Dominion.
Verlander, a 6' 5" 200 pound (1.96 m, 91 kg) right-hander, pitched for the Old Dominion University baseball team for three years. On May 17, 2002, he struck out a then school record 17 batters against James Madison. In 2003, he set a school single-season record by recording 139 strikeouts; in 2004, he broke his own record and established a new Colonial Athletic Association
record with 151 strikeouts. Verlander completed his career as the all-time strikeout leader in Old Dominion, the Colonial Athletic Association
and the Commonwealth of Virginia (Division I) history with 427 in 335⅔ innings. During his three years, he averaged 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and his career collegiate earned run average was 2.57.
Verlander pitched for Team USA in 2003 and helped the USA to a silver medal in the Pan Am Games. He was named CAA Rookie of the Year in 2002 and earned All-CAA honors in 2003 and 2004. Verlander was named the ODU Alumni Association's Male Athlete of the Year in 2004, and was the second overall pick in the 2004 Baseball draft by Detroit.
. After lengthy negotiations, he signed a contract on October 25, 2004. Verlander started the 2005 season for the Lakeland Tigers
, where he showed surprisingly good control. He was rewarded with a brief appearance in the majors, making his first major league start against the Cleveland Indians
on July 4, 2005. After two starts in the majors, he returned to the minor leagues pitching for the Erie SeaWolves
, the AA affiliate of the Tigers.
In his first full season, Verlander went 17–9 with a 3.63 ERA
, striking out 124 batters in 186 innings. On July 4, 2006, at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California
, Verlander, Joel Zumaya
, and Fernando Rodney
each threw multiple fastballs clocked in at over 100 mi/h, becoming the first time in MLB history that three pitchers, on the same team, had done so during a game. He allowed only one stolen base
in 2006 and picked off 7 baserunners. In 2006, he became the first rookie pitcher in the history of the game to win 10 games before the end of June, which eventually led to him being named AL Rookie of the Year at the end of the season. During Game 1 of the 2006 World Series
, Verlander was the Tigers' starting pitcher against Anthony Reyes
of the St. Louis Cardinals
; the first time two rookies faced off to start a World Series.
against the Milwaukee Brewers
, striking out 12 and hitting 102 MPH on the radar gun.
voting behind winner Zach Greinke and runner-up Felix Hernandez
.
. He would finish 2010 with an 18–9 record and 3.37 ERA.
, throwing four strikeouts, walking one batter and throwing at a maximum speed of 101 MPH on the radar gun. He carried a perfect game into the 8th inning before surrendering a walk to J. P. Arencibia
. Verlander became the second Tigers pitcher since Virgil Trucks
, and the thirtieth pitcher in the history of baseball, to throw multiple no-hitters. On his next start, against the Kansas City Royals
on May 13, Verlander took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before surrendering a triple. Altogether, he pitched 15⅔ consecutive no-hit innings, spread over three starts.
On June 14, Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth. He pitched 7⅓ innings until he gave up a base hit to Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera
. Verlander ended up with a complete game shutout allowing two hits. In his next start on June 19, he threw another complete game allowing a solo home run to Ty Wigginton
. On June 25, he recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts against Arizona. On July 3, 2011, Verlander was selected to his fourth AL All-Star team, but he was unable to participate in the game due to the scheduling of his starts. On July 31, 2011, Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before surrendering a single to Maicer Izturis. He walked two and struck out nine. On August 11, Justin won his 100th major league game against the Cleveland Indians. On August 27, he became the first pitcher in the major leagues to attain 20 wins in the current season. The victory also made Verlander the first Tiger since Bill Gullickson
in 1991 to win 20 games, and the first major leaguer since Curt Schilling
in 2002 to reach 20 wins before the end of August.
By the end of the season, Verlander had won the Triple Crown of pitching in the AL, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250; tied for 6th-most in Tigers history), and ERA (2.40). Los Angeles Dodgers
pitcher Clayton Kershaw
clinched the NL Triple Crown earlier in the week, making it the first since 1924
that a season featured a Triple Crown pitcher in both leagues. Verlander also led the AL in innings pitched (251), win-loss percentage (.828; 6th-best in Tigers history), and in errors committed by a pitcher (5). Throughout the season, he never had an outing in which he threw fewer than 6 innings or 100 pitches. Through 2011, Verlander had the best career strikeouts-per-9-innings-pitched percentage in Tigers' history (8.3), and the second-best career win-loss percentage (.652; also the fourth-best percentage of all active pitchers).
Verlander received various awards for his play in 2011. Those awards included the Players Choice Awards
Player of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year
, Players Choice Awards
AL Outstanding Pitcher, Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year, and USA Today AL Top Pitcher.
On November 3, 2011, Verlander was named the cover athlete of Major League Baseball 2K12.
On November 15, the Baseball Writers Association of America
announced that Verlander had unanimously won the 2011 AL Cy Young Award
.
On November 21, it was announced that Verlander had also won the AL MVP Award, a rarity for a pitcher, in a much closer vote. Verlander edged out Boston
's Jacoby Ellsbury, 280 points to 242 points, while collecting 13 of 28 first-place votes. He became the first pitcher to claim an AL MVP Award since Dennis Eckersley
in 1992, the first starting pitcher to do so since Roger Clemens
in 1986, and the first Tiger to do so since Willie Hernández
in 1984.
in the high-90s (which routinely pushes and occasionally eclipses 100 MPH) and a two-seamer
in the mid-90s with good swing-back movement. He also throws a 12-6 curveball in the 78–83 mph range, a circle changeup
in the low to mid-80s, and a slider
which he throws 83–89 mph.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
In 2006, he was named the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Rookie of the Year. On June 12, 2007, he pitched a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
—the first ever at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
—against the Milwaukee Brewers
2007 Milwaukee Brewers season
The 2007 Milwaukee Brewers season marked the 25th anniversary of the Milwaukee Brewers winning the American League Championship and the 50th anniversary of the Milwaukee Braves winning the World Series. During the offseason, the Brewers re-signed free agents Bill Hall and Chris Capuano...
, striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
12 batters and walking four. He pitched a second no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on May 7, 2011, in Toronto, walking one and facing the minimum 27 batters. On November 15, 2011, Verlander was named the 2011 AL Cy Young Award winner by a unanimous vote, becoming the first American League pitcher since Johan Santana
Johan Santana
Johan Alexander Santana Araque is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who is currently playing for the New York Mets. He is a native of Venezuela....
in 2006 to win the award in such a fashion. On November 21, 2011, Verlander was voted the AL MVP, winning with 280 points over Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury ; born September 11, 1983) is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
's 242, completing a sweep of the Cy Young Award and MVP, a rare feat for a pitcher in the modern era.
Amateur career
His father Richard, who was president of the local Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
chapter of the Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America is the largest communications and media labor union in the United States representing about 550,000 members in both the private and public sectors. The union has 27 locals in Canada via CWA-SCA Canada representing about 8,000 members...
, sent Justin to The Richmond Baseball Academy. Justin clocked 84 mi/h shortly after joining the academy. His velocity kept climbing, and hit 86 MPH by the time he entered Goochland High School. He had been a top pitching prospect in high school, but his career suffered a setback when he came down with strep throat
Strep throat
Streptococcal pharyngitis, streptococcal tonsillitis, or streptococcal sore throat is a type of pharyngitis caused by a group A streptococcal infection. It affects the pharynx including the tonsils and possibly the larynx. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes...
early in his senior season of baseball. A weakened Verlander topped out at 81 during that season, causing professional scouts to lose interest. After he recovered, his velocity reached 87 during his first year at Old Dominion.
Verlander, a 6' 5" 200 pound (1.96 m, 91 kg) right-hander, pitched for the Old Dominion University baseball team for three years. On May 17, 2002, he struck out a then school record 17 batters against James Madison. In 2003, he set a school single-season record by recording 139 strikeouts; in 2004, he broke his own record and established a new Colonial Athletic Association
Colonial Athletic Association
The Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
record with 151 strikeouts. Verlander completed his career as the all-time strikeout leader in Old Dominion, the Colonial Athletic Association
Colonial Athletic Association
The Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
and the Commonwealth of Virginia (Division I) history with 427 in 335⅔ innings. During his three years, he averaged 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and his career collegiate earned run average was 2.57.
Verlander pitched for Team USA in 2003 and helped the USA to a silver medal in the Pan Am Games. He was named CAA Rookie of the Year in 2002 and earned All-CAA honors in 2003 and 2004. Verlander was named the ODU Alumni Association's Male Athlete of the Year in 2004, and was the second overall pick in the 2004 Baseball draft by Detroit.
Minor leagues
Verlander's professional baseball career began when the Detroit Tigers selected him second overall in the 2004 MLB Draft2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. After lengthy negotiations, he signed a contract on October 25, 2004. Verlander started the 2005 season for the Lakeland Tigers
Lakeland Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida.Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers spring training home, seats 8,500 fans...
, where he showed surprisingly good control. He was rewarded with a brief appearance in the majors, making his first major league start against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
on July 4, 2005. After two starts in the majors, he returned to the minor leagues pitching for the Erie SeaWolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
, the AA affiliate of the Tigers.
2006
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, striking out 124 batters in 186 innings. On July 4, 2006, at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, Verlander, Joel Zumaya
Joel Zumaya
Joel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:...
, and Fernando Rodney
Fernando Rodney
Fernando Rodney is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Rodney throws a fastball in the mid to upper-90 miles per hour and a changeup in the low 80s.-Minor leagues:...
each threw multiple fastballs clocked in at over 100 mi/h, becoming the first time in MLB history that three pitchers, on the same team, had done so during a game. He allowed only one stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
in 2006 and picked off 7 baserunners. In 2006, he became the first rookie pitcher in the history of the game to win 10 games before the end of June, which eventually led to him being named AL Rookie of the Year at the end of the season. During Game 1 of the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
, Verlander was the Tigers' starting pitcher against Anthony Reyes
Anthony Reyes
Anthony Loza Reyes is a right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent.Reyes has a younger brother, Erik, who pitched for Concordia University Irvine in .-High School:...
of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
; the first time two rookies faced off to start a World Series.
2007
His success continued in 2007, as he accumulated 18 wins and posted a 3.66 ERA with 183 strikeouts 201⅔ innings. On June 12, Verlander recorded a no-hitterNo-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, striking out 12 and hitting 102 MPH on the radar gun.
2008
In 2008, Verlander started off poorly with four straight losses before winning his first game. Overall, Verlander could not match his 2007 success as he finished with a career low 11 wins, while posting career highs in losses (17) and ERA (4.84).2009
His 2009 season proved successful. He finished with a 19–9 record, an ERA of 3.45 and an MLB-leading 269 strikeouts. Verlander finished third in the AL Cy Young AwardCy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
voting behind winner Zach Greinke and runner-up Felix Hernandez
Félix Hernández
Félix Abraham Hernández , nicknamed "King Félix", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners....
.
2010
On February 4, 2010, it was announced that Verlander and the Tigers had reached a deal for an $80 million, 5 year contract extension. On July 3, Verlander earned his 10th win of the season. This marked the fourth time in five years he has had double digit wins before the all-star break. On September 18 Verlander beat the Chicago White Sox, throwing a complete game to earn his 17th win of the season. With that win he became the first pitcher to win 17 games in 4 of his first 5 seasons since Dwight GoodenDwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
. He would finish 2010 with an 18–9 record and 3.37 ERA.
2011
On April 22, Verlander recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in a 9–3 win over the White Sox, becoming the 15th Tiger to do so. On May 7 he recorded his second career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, throwing four strikeouts, walking one batter and throwing at a maximum speed of 101 MPH on the radar gun. He carried a perfect game into the 8th inning before surrendering a walk to J. P. Arencibia
J. P. Arencibia
Jonathan Paul Arencibia is an American professional baseball catcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-College career:...
. Verlander became the second Tigers pitcher since Virgil Trucks
Virgil Trucks
Virgil Oliver Trucks is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1941 through 1958, Trucks played for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed...
, and the thirtieth pitcher in the history of baseball, to throw multiple no-hitters. On his next start, against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
on May 13, Verlander took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before surrendering a triple. Altogether, he pitched 15⅔ consecutive no-hit innings, spread over three starts.
On June 14, Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth. He pitched 7⅓ innings until he gave up a base hit to Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Luis Cabrera, nicknamed "O-Cab" and "The OC", is a Colombian-American baseball infielder.He won a World Series championship in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox. He has played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins,...
. Verlander ended up with a complete game shutout allowing two hits. In his next start on June 19, he threw another complete game allowing a solo home run to Ty Wigginton
Ty Wigginton
Ty Allen Wigginton is an American professional baseball infielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. He is known as a utility player, having platooned as an infielder and an outfielder during his career. He bats and throws right-handed...
. On June 25, he recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts against Arizona. On July 3, 2011, Verlander was selected to his fourth AL All-Star team, but he was unable to participate in the game due to the scheduling of his starts. On July 31, 2011, Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before surrendering a single to Maicer Izturis. He walked two and struck out nine. On August 11, Justin won his 100th major league game against the Cleveland Indians. On August 27, he became the first pitcher in the major leagues to attain 20 wins in the current season. The victory also made Verlander the first Tiger since Bill Gullickson
Bill Gullickson
William Lee Gullickson is a former major league baseball pitcher who played for six different major-league teams, in Canada, the U.S...
in 1991 to win 20 games, and the first major leaguer since Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
in 2002 to reach 20 wins before the end of August.
By the end of the season, Verlander had won the Triple Crown of pitching in the AL, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250; tied for 6th-most in Tigers history), and ERA (2.40). Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
pitcher Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
clinched the NL Triple Crown earlier in the week, making it the first since 1924
1924 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Washington Senators over New York Giants *First Negro League World Series: Kansas City Monarchs over Hilldale -Awards and honors:*League Award** Walter Johnson, Washington Senators, P** Dazzy Vance, Brooklyn Dodgers, P...
that a season featured a Triple Crown pitcher in both leagues. Verlander also led the AL in innings pitched (251), win-loss percentage (.828; 6th-best in Tigers history), and in errors committed by a pitcher (5). Throughout the season, he never had an outing in which he threw fewer than 6 innings or 100 pitches. Through 2011, Verlander had the best career strikeouts-per-9-innings-pitched percentage in Tigers' history (8.3), and the second-best career win-loss percentage (.652; also the fourth-best percentage of all active pitchers).
Verlander received various awards for his play in 2011. Those awards included the Players Choice Awards
Players Choice Award
The Players Choice Awards are annual Major League Baseball awards, given by the Major League Baseball Players Association .The Players Choice Awards are given following a secret ballot by players. Four awards go to a player in each league, while two awards each go to one player in all of Major...
Player of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year
The Sporting News Player of the Year Award
This is a list of the Major League Baseball players chosen by The Sporting News since 1936 as recipients of the TSN Player of the Year Award. Until 1969, it was the only major award given to a single player from MLB, rather than to a player in each league. In 1969, Baseball Digest began its Player...
, Players Choice Awards
Players Choice Award
The Players Choice Awards are annual Major League Baseball awards, given by the Major League Baseball Players Association .The Players Choice Awards are given following a secret ballot by players. Four awards go to a player in each league, while two awards each go to one player in all of Major...
AL Outstanding Pitcher, Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year, and USA Today AL Top Pitcher.
On November 3, 2011, Verlander was named the cover athlete of Major League Baseball 2K12.
On November 15, the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
announced that Verlander had unanimously won the 2011 AL Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
.
On November 21, it was announced that Verlander had also won the AL MVP Award, a rarity for a pitcher, in a much closer vote. Verlander edged out Boston
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
's Jacoby Ellsbury, 280 points to 242 points, while collecting 13 of 28 first-place votes. He became the first pitcher to claim an AL MVP Award since Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
in 1992, the first starting pitcher to do so since Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
in 1986, and the first Tiger to do so since Willie Hernández
Willie Hernández
Guillermo "Willie" Hernández Villanueva is a former relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies , and the Detroit Tigers . He threw and batted left-handed.-Career:...
in 1984.
Repertoire
He features two fastballs: a four-seamerFour-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family...
in the high-90s (which routinely pushes and occasionally eclipses 100 MPH) and a two-seamer
Two-seam fastball
A two-seam fastball is a pitch in baseball and a variant of the straight fastball. The pitch has the speed of a fastball, but the general movement of a screwball...
in the mid-90s with good swing-back movement. He also throws a 12-6 curveball in the 78–83 mph range, a circle changeup
Circle changeup
In baseball, a circle changeup is a pitch thrown with a grip that includes a circle formation, hence the name. The circle is formed by making a circle with the index finger, holding the thumb at the bottom of the ball parallel to the middle finger and holding the ball far out in the hand...
in the low to mid-80s, and a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
which he throws 83–89 mph.
Awards and accolades
- 2006 American League Rookie of the Year.
- 2006 Tigers Rookie of the Year award from the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.
- American League Rookie of the Month (May 2006).
- American League Player of the Week (May 22–28, 2006).
- American League Player of the Week (June 11–17, 2007).
- 7th in 2006 American League Cy Young Award voting (the highest of any rookie pitcher).
- 5th in 2007 American League Cy Young Award voting.
- 15th in 2006 American League MVP voting (the highest of any rookie and second highest of any pitcher – Johan SantanaJohan SantanaJohan Alexander Santana Araque is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who is currently playing for the New York Mets. He is a native of Venezuela....
was 7th). - Named to 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 American League All-Star Teams
- Became first Tigers pitcher since Denny McLainDenny McLainDennis Dale "Denny" McLain is a former American professional baseball player, and the last major league pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season —a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century....
in 1968 (31–6, .838) to lead the American League in winning percentageWinning percentageIn sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
and qualify for an ERA title (18–6, .750) in 2007. - Only pitcher in baseball history to be Rookie of the Year, start in a World Series game, toss a no-hitter, and be an All-Star in his first two full seasons.
- American League Pitcher of the Month (May 2009).
- Became the first Major League starter in 24 years to load the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning or later and get out of it without allowing a run when he pulled off the feat July 24, 2009. Then-Mariners hurler Mike Moore was the last to do it, on Sept. 16, 1985.
- 2009 Tiger of the Year.
- 3rd in 2009 American League Cy Young Award voting.
- One of only two players to win the the Rookie of the Year Award, Cy Young Award, and the MVP Award; the other is Don NewcombeDon NewcombeDonald Newcombe , nicknamed "Newk", is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians .Until 2011 when Detroit Tigers Pitcher Justin Verlander did it, Newcombe was the only baseball...
. - Won AL pitching Triple Crown in 2011.
- 2011 AL Cy Young Award (unanimous choice).
- 2011 AL MVP.
- 2011 Players Choice AwardsPlayers Choice AwardThe Players Choice Awards are annual Major League Baseball awards, given by the Major League Baseball Players Association .The Players Choice Awards are given following a secret ballot by players. Four awards go to a player in each league, while two awards each go to one player in all of Major...
Player of the Year. - 2011 Sporting News Player of the YearThe Sporting News Player of the Year AwardThis is a list of the Major League Baseball players chosen by The Sporting News since 1936 as recipients of the TSN Player of the Year Award. Until 1969, it was the only major award given to a single player from MLB, rather than to a player in each league. In 1969, Baseball Digest began its Player...
. - Major League Baseball 2K12 cover athlete.
Quotes about Verlander
- "He's a special talent. I think he's one of the premier pitchers in the league, not just young pitchers." – Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
manager Jim LeylandJim LeylandJames Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates... - "My God, that guy's throwing 100 miles (160.9 km) an hour in the sixth inning, you're not going to mount much against him. It's really tough for the best hitters in baseball to put that in play consistently." – Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
third baseman Chipper JonesChipper JonesLarry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves... - "It was the best thing that ever happened to me." – Verlander on his first no-hitter
- "If you want to know how valuable Justin Verlander is, ask yourself how much you'd pay to have him pitch for your team. Then tell me he wasn't the Most Valuable Player in the American League this year." – CBSsports.com baseball writer Danny Knobler, on Verlander's 2011 AL MVP Award
See also
- List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters