Justin Verlander is the 2022 American League Cy Young Award winner.
In what could prove to be his final season in a Houston Astros uniform, Verlander had a year to remember.
The veteran right-hander went 18-4 and posted a 1.75 ERA over 28 starts, which was a Major-League best.
The 39-year-old ace was the clear choice for the AL Cy Young.
This is Verlander’s third Cy Young.
The ace won the award in 2011 with the Detroit Tigers while also earning AL MVP honors.
He also won the award in 2019.
In doing so a third time, Verlander has joined an elite list of pitchers who have won the Cy Young at least three times during their careers.
Pitchers such as Roger Clemens, Max Scherzer, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, and Sandy Koufax appear on the list.
Justin Verlander is the 11th pitcher to win 3+ CYA, joining:
Roger Clemens: 7
Randy Johnson: 5
Steve Carlton: 4
Greg Maddux: 4
Clayton Kershaw: 3
Sandy Koufax: 3
Pedro Martínez: 3
Jim Palmer: 3
Max Scherzer: 3
Tom Seaver: 3— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 17, 2022
JV Joins Elite Club
After missing almost two full seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery, Verlander came back with a bang in 2022 and completely mowed down any competition.
The Astros chose to bring him back on a one-year deal after the 2021 season.
The 39-year-old has once again defied Father Time and is still pitching as if he is in his prime.
Even in his advanced age, no pitcher came anywhere close to matching Verlander’s dominance except for Sandy Alcantara, who won the National League Cy Young Award.
Once again, Verlander is a free agent, and the possibility of him having pitched his last game in an Astros uniform potentially looms large as teams such as the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in the veteran ace.
NEXT: Justin Verlander Blew Past The Competition In Cy Young Voting