Justin Verlander is widely known for being one of the fiercest competitors the game of baseball has ever seen.
From winning an AL Cy Young and MVP in the same season, to winning two more Cy Youngs and a World Series ring, Verlander has seen it all.
His Houston Astros find themselves in the American League Championship Series for the sixth consecutive year, and all signs seem to point to him getting the call for Game 1 tomorrow night.
Today, Verlander shared an inspiring message, saying that he isn’t anywhere close to considering and that he wants to keep pitching until they rip the jersey off of him.
Justin Verlander on his desire to pitch into his 40s: “I want to play until they rip the jersey off me.” @MLBNetwork @MLB @astros
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 18, 2022
Verlander Vows To Keep Pitching
Verlander isn’t going anywhere.
Even if he departs the Astros via free agency this offseason, he isn’t planning on retiring.
And it’s hard to blame him.
After winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2019, he started just one game in 2020 before suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John Surgery, which also kept him out for all of 2021.
But he returned to the Astros this past offseason and he has rewarded them tremendously this year, with what could end up being another Cy Young season for the veteran right-hander.
The 39-year-old went 18-4 in 28 starts and posted a Major League best 1.75 ERA in 175 innings of work.
He may be in the latter stages of his career, but even so, he continues to pitch like he’s in his prime.
He will be a free agent at the end of the year.
Whether or not he stays in Houston is up for debate, but one thing is for sure.
Verlander is not retiring until the jersey is ripped off his back.
NEXT: The Astros Are Hoping Too Much Rest Doesn't Hurt