Let’s make one thing clear: once Justin Verlander retires, he’s an automatic first ballot Hall-of-Famer five years later.
The numbers and accolades make his case beyond reproach. Nine All-Star selections. Three AL Cy Young Awards won with the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. Now, add an MVP trophy in Detroit and two World Series rings in Houston. Plus, his 262 wins are the most among active players, and his 3,416 strikeouts rank 10th in MLB history.
In a nutshell, the man has nothing more to prove as he approaches what will be his age-42 season. And yet, Justin Verlander is returning to the mound in 2025.