Justin Verlander

Lore & Background

The Tigers traded Verlander to the Astros before the 2017 trade deadline, and he went undefeated in his first five starts heading into the postseason. He was named AL Championship Series MVP and was co-winner of the Babe Ruth Award as the Astros won the 2017 World Series. In 2019, Verlander became the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw three career no-hitters, had his first career 300-strikeout season, and won his second Cy Young award while leading the Astros to their second pennant in three seasons. He missed most of the 2020 season and all of the 2021 season due to injury. He returned in 2022 and proceeded to win 18 games with a sub-2.00 ERA on his way to leading the Astros to their second world championship. He received his third Cy Young Award that offseason, making him the first Astro to win multiple Cy Young Awards. Verlander signed with the Mets in December 2022, was traded back to the Astros in August 2023, and signed with the Giants in January 2025. Following one season in San Francisco, Verlander returned to the Tigers on a one-year contract in 2026; halfway through the season, he announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2026 season.

In Their Own Story

The night air at Minute Maid Park was thick with humidity and anticipation. Under the glare of the stadium lights, Verlander stepped onto the rubber, adjusting his cap as the crowd hushed into a respectful silence. He gripped the ball, feeling the familiar seams beneath his fingertips, ready to deliver another dominant performance for his city.

Reader's Guide

Justin Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros before the 2017 trade deadline, not signed as a free agent. He helped the Astros win the World Series in 2017 and again in 2022, but these championships were not back-to-back. He won the AL Cy Young Award with the Astros in 2019 and again after the 2022 season. His tenure with the Astros spanned 2017 through 2022 (with 2020–2021 mostly missed due to injury), and he was traded back to the Astros in August 2023.

Did You Know?

• Verlander threw his second career no-hitter in 2011 and his third in 2019, becoming the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw three no-hitters.
• He is the first Astro to win multiple Cy Young Awards, winning his third Cy Young after the 2022 season.
• Verlander led the Astros to two World Series championships (2017 and 2022), but they were not consecutive.