How Tigers will honor Verlander during final weekend in Detroit

This story was excerpted from Jason Beck’s Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DETROIT — Justin Verlander has thrown hundreds of bullpen sessions over his career. So when he walked into the Tigers’ bullpen on Tuesday afternoon and finished his final tuneup for one last start on Saturday afternoon against the Pirates, it was nothing different than two decades of between-starts work.

“I actually just figured out something mechanically, like two weeks ago, that I wish I'd figured out three years ago,” he said later. “So yes, I hope that mechanical thought can lead me to have some success in my one start.”

Then he met his 7-year-old daughter on the field, and it was clear this start – and this week – is different.

“I remember when she was born, I was like, ‘I want to play long enough for her to be able to remember things,’” he said. “So, you know, here we are. She's 7, and I hope she remembers some of these things. I hope she remembers this weekend. It's really, really special to be able to include her, and she's a lovely young woman and little girl. She's the light of my life, so to include her in these things is everything.”

Like many great starting pitchers, Verlander has thrived on routine. Find success, repeat the process, look for an edge in the minutiae, keep pushing. This week is anything but routine. Saturday’s start will be the cap to a two-day celebration of Verlander’s career. And that icy cold demeanor Verlander wore on the mound is going to get a serious test.

“I don't think there is preparation for what I'm going to feel emotionally,” Verlander said. “I think I remember the first time coming back here [as an Astro in 2017], the tribute video that they played when I was walking between the bullpen and the dugout, and that got me a little emotional. But I was able to settle that down and go pitch. So I think maybe that's like the only other experience I think that I'll have to lean on with something like this.

“I'm actually gonna plan on not doing my normal routine. I'm not gonna put the headphones on. I'm not gonna not talk to people. Like, that's not what this is about. If I still need that to keep me focused for the last game I'll ever pitch, something's wrong. Just looking forward to trying to balance absorbing as much as I can, with also wanting to be competitive and go out there and give it everything I have, literally.”

As Verlander prepares to close out his 21-year career with one more outing and a celebration, it feels like Must-See JV all over again. This is an event, not just for the Tigers and Verlander, but for a generation of fans who grew up watching him dominate.

Friday: Celebrating the pitcher

How do you sum up a likely Hall of Fame career in one evening? The Tigers have experience with this, having celebrated Miguel Cabrera’s career just three years ago. Several teammates from across Verlander’s Tigers tenure are expected to return to Comerica Park to share memories and raise a toast to greatness.

A ceremony prior to the 6:40 p.m. ET game will feature a tribute video, guest speakers, custom decor and gifts from the club. Fans can sign a giant retirement card on the concourse and share their favorite memories in a testimonial booth. An artifact display will highlight Verlander’s career through the years.

Fans can also get in on the gifts: The first 15,000 fans through the gates will receive a Verlander bobblehead featuring the pitcher on the mound, decked out in the Tigers’ orange jersey.

Fans are encouraged to wear orange to the game, not just for the Tigers’ alternate orange jerseys but to celebrate the common color from every team Verlander played for during his career – Tigers, Astros, Mets and Giants.

Watching from home? Detroit SportsNet will air a special highlighting Verlander’s career with exclusive interviews beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: Celebrating the person

Before Verlander takes the mound one last time, the Tigers will celebrate his impact off the mound, especially his community endeavors.

Verlander, the Tigers’ nominee for Major League Baseball’s prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, will make a $100,000 donation to Michigan Humane for Military, which connects veterans and active-duty service members with companion animals while providing ongoing veterinary support. Verlander’s gift will help significantly expand the program. It’s a fitting next chapter in a commitment that has defined his career: from welcoming veterans to Comerica Park, to investing in their mental health, to now helping provide companionship and support long after his playing days are over.

It’s also a way for Verlander to express his gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career, which has helped push him in his efforts to return to the mound one more time.

“I've been so thankful -- I think thankful's probably a word you'll hear a lot here the next few days,” Verlander said Tuesday. “I've been so thankful to be here back where it started, the love that these fans have shown me even when I'm not out there pitching, whether it's this stadium, visiting stadiums, around the city, it's meant so much to me and really helped me through this process to feel better about how this season has gone, to know that it means something not just to me, but to the fans, too.

“I think for that reason, that's a large driving factor in this. I could've easily hung it up a month or two ago, but really pushed as hard as I possibly could, skipping a lot of steps, risking some serious injury potentially. But hey, that's what I've done my whole career. I want to be out there. I want to pitch, to do it not only for myself but for the fans.”

The first 15,000 fans through the gates will get a long-sleeved hooded jersey. All fans will receive a Verlander cheer card.

Tickets for Saturday’s 1:10 p.m. ET matinee were extremely limited as of Tuesday evening. Tickets for Friday’s game and festivities are still available. Visit tigers.com/tickets for availability or more information.

What’s next after Verlander retires? He hasn’t gotten that far yet. But through a trying season, he has realized he’s ready for retirement, from talking with his family to talking with elite athletes in other sports who have retired.

“I think the thing that I've learned the most is that I'm ready for the next step,” he said. “You know, just, I feel good about things. I feel good about my body of work. I feel good about looking into the future with my family. Just very thankful.”