Tigers and Astros legend Justin Verlander sends ‘Real Shot’ message to Kate Upton during farewell tour
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 25: Katie Upton and family look on before the career celebration of Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Friday, September 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
Justin Verlander’s legendary MLB career came to an end Saturday, when the Detroit Tigers right-hander made his final appearance at Comerica Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 43-year-old entered the outing without having pitched competitively since March 30, but he managed to work through the sixth inning before receiving an unforgettable farewell from the Tigers and a packed Comerica Park. Verlander finished his final start with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits in 91 pitches as Detroit finally rallied for a 4-3 victory.
Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros star Justin Verlander’s final appearance becomes a family moment
Verlander’s daughter, Genevieve, arrived on the mound in the sixth inning as Verlander’s final appearance was ending and his wife, Kate Upton, and their young son were also there to share the moment.
“Justin Verlander had an unexpected hook in his major league finale when his seven-year-old daughter came to the mound with Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch as he appeared in the final game of his long career,” the release said. Associated Press reported. “His wife, model Kate Upton, held their 1-year-old son Bellamy while joining Justin and Genevieve for a group hug in front of the Tigers dugout, and Justin greeted his teammates and took off his cap to the crowd before walking down the dugout steps with his family,” according to The Guardian.
Verlander’s farewell capped a career that began when Detroit selected him second overall in the 2004 MLB draft. He spent his first 13 major league seasons with the Tigers before joining the Houston Astros, where he won two World Series championships. He also won three Cy Young Awards and the 2011 American League MVP award during his career.
Houston Astros Legend Justin Verlander Reveals How Relationship With Kate Upton Began Amid Detroit Tigers Farewell
Verlander and Upton’s relationship became another part of his farewell tour this month, when he joined Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts on the “On Base with Mookie Betts” podcast.
“The timing wasn’t great, but we stayed in touch for a few years, and then we had a moment where we went on a boat together and we look back on it as the moment we both said, ‘Wait a minute, there’s something here,’” Verlander recalled during the appearance. “Like, ‘Do you really want to take a chance?’ » That was the beginning.
That relationship has now been a part of Verlander’s life for over a decade, and Upton was there to help him close out a 21-season career.
Verlander finished his career with 266 wins, a 3.33 ERA and 3,560 strikeouts. He leaves MLB as an eight-time strikeout leader and three-time Cy Young winner, his final major league chapter playing out where his career began.
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