When Tigers legend Justin Verlander and I were rookies together | D'Addona

Justin Verlander is set to make his final start of his career this weekend. It feels like only yesterday we were rookies playing together in 2005. My first assignment at Comerica Park for The Sentinel was covering All-Star Week, where Justin made his Major League debut and started the Future's Game. I was the first journalist he ever interviewed at Comerica Park.

I had no idea our paths would cross so many times. The next time I interviewed him was in 2006, just after Magglio Ordonez hit his walk-off, pennant-winning home run. Champagne was flowing and the atmosphere was electric. After answering one of my questions, Verlander stopped mid-sentence and began yelling, "Get him Wil! Get him Wil!"

Wil Ledezma, a Tigers reliever, then poured a whole bottle of champagne on my head. That remains one of the most unforgettable moments of my career, especially as I was able to share it with my friend and mentor, Dennis Geppert, in the photo above. I'm grateful for the chance to cover nearly every Tigers playoff game from 2006-2013, witnessing Verlander's incredible performances and countless interviews.

I've seen him face off against CC Sabathia of the Yankees, beat the Athletics and Yankees in the postseason, and experience both victory and heartbreak in the World Series. In 2013, he was outstanding, starting two games and allowing zero runs in 15 innings. However, the Tigers fell short to the Red Sox in the ALDS. Despite that, he became a legend in Detroit, a true superstar on the biggest stage. He'll soon join the Hall of Fame, and I'll be there to celebrate, too.