Justin Verlander’s 7-year-old daughter, Genevieve, ran onto the mound for a hug as he left for the final time during his last MLB game, Detroit’s Sept. 26 matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Tigers won 4-3 on a walk-off; Verlander is retiring after 21 seasons.
Manager AJ Hinch arranged the surprise with Verlander’s wife, Kate Upton. Verlander said he had no idea Genevieve would come out and was “sobbing”; he told her he was happy because she had never seen him cry like that.
Verlander announced in July that his 21st MLB season would be his last. Lingering injuries limited him to one start; he had been on the injured list since April with left hip inflammation and injured his hamstring during a bullpen session last month, ESPN reported. Across 21 seasons, he won 266 games, two World Series titles with the Houston Astros and one MVP award.
