How Justin Verlander's grand finale stacks up with other Tigers icons
Sure, there have been better sendoffs. But the Tigers and Justin Verlander couldn't have asked for a whole lot more Saturday at Comerica Park.
Detroit — Justin Verlander's final start of his Major League Baseball career on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Comerica Park, was a memorable sendoff for the future Hall-of-Famer. Verlander, who threw 5.1 impressive innings, allowing just two runs on five hits, walked one and struck out six, including a highlighted wipeout slider and a 95-mph fastball.
In an emotional scene after exiting in the sixth inning, the Tigers secured a dramatic 4-3 win thanks to a walk-off homer by rookie Eduardo Valencia, saving Verlander from a potential loss. Verlander finished his career with a 266-159 record before retiring. Tigers manager AJ Hinch praised Verlander's performance, stating he left the team with a lasting memory of why he was one of the best pitchers of all-time.
With this win, the Tigers became the seventh team in the season to secure a walk-off victory, and Valencia became the first rookie to hit a walk-off homer while trailing since Lou Whitaker in July 1978.
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Also reported by 3 other outlets
- Justin Verlander makes teary farewell to 21-year career as Tigers rally to beat Pirates 4-3 winnipegfreepress.com
- Justin Verlander's Last Start: Tigers Pitcher Ends Career in Emotional Moment newsweek.com
- Justin Verlander makes teary farewell to 21-year career as Tigers rally to beat Pirates 4-3 sports.yahoo.com
