PHILADELPHIA -- One player after another in the American League clubhouse spoke of the impact Justin Verlander's words had on them after the 10-time All-Star gave a speech prior to Tuesday night’s Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park.
So what made Verlander decide to impart some final words of wisdom on his younger teammates as he took part in this final All-Star Game, given a “Legend Pick” designation by Major League Baseball?
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“What speech?” Verlander said with a grin.
The 43-year-old wasn’t going there. If his teammates chose to share the message he tried to get across, so be it, but as far as Verlander was concerned, he said what he wanted to say and found no need to repeat any of it.
AL manager John Schneider revealed that he asked Verlander on Monday if he would speak to the team prior to Tuesday’s game.
“I said, ‘Hey, man, out of respect for you and your career, you're a future Hall of Famer, this game is bigger than any one individual,” Schneider said. “But I thought for him in his last year, it would be cool for him to share some of his thoughts.
“It was, you never know when you are going to be in this position and you have to appreciate the people along the way. He's made lifelong friends from being in this game for so long, whether it's Mike Trout or Kevin McGonigle sitting here in his first All-Star Game.
“Baseball connects you, and we're all kind of part of this same big family. I thought what he said was spot-on; just to appreciate the people that you meet along the way. It was an honor to give him the floor for a couple of minutes.”
Verlander’s message was well-received by his younger teammates, many of whom were still in high school, grade school or even pre-school in some cases while he was winning Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards.
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, a 23-year-old selected to his first All-Star team after winning AL Rookie of the Year honors last season, was two years old when Verlander made his big league debut.
“It’s pretty remarkable when you can hear a guy like that who has pretty much done everything you want to do as a player in this league and even towards the end of his career,” Kurtz said. “Anyone who's been in this league that long, you want to be able to hear them talk. You want to just let that sink in. It’s really hard to do this. He’s a 10-time All-Star and he’s played, what, 20 years? I’m going to hang on every single word that he says.”
Playing in his fifth season at the ripe old age of 26, Bobby Witt Jr. was a grizzled veteran compared to some of his AL teammates, but the three-time All-Star was locked in as Verlander addressed the team.
“It was unbelievable just to hear him just say, ‘It never gets old, just take it all in and enjoy it,’” Witt said. “He said to meet guys, talk to guys; it’s a lot of fun just being able to be here, so make sure you soak it all in. He’s a winner, a Hall of Famer and a special player.”
Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease, who started the game for the AL, believes Verlander could have a successful second career as a politician after listening to him command a room.
“He talked about one of the biggest joys for him [of All-Star Games] was just getting to meet guys and form relationships with guys on other teams that we otherwise would never be able to,” Cease said. “It was very elegant. He's a good speaker. I was impressed. That's not easy to do in front of a bunch of people you barely know.”
Joe Ryan played catch with Verlander during batting practice on Tuesday, and while that act itself can be mundane and routine for most players, this felt different for the 30-year-old two-time All-Star.
“Someone told me, ‘It's something to tell your grandkids someday,’” Ryan said. “It was a great experience. You get to play catch with a Hall of Famer? That’s pretty special.”
McGonigle wasn’t even a year old when Verlander debuted on July 4, 2005, but the 21-year-old Tigers infielder has loved every minute being around his teammate who is literally more than twice his age.
“I'm really happy I was a part of just a tiny bit of his career,” McGonigle said. “He's been around for a while now, and all the success he's had, it's really special to see what he's done in his career. To be here, a part of his last All-Star Game, it’s really awesome.”