The date was October 5, 2006. The Yankees were supposed to take a 2-0 lead against the Tigers in the Division Series with Mike Mussina facing some kid at the old Yankee Stadium. Even though he would win Rookie of the Year, it felt like a good bet that the “Murderers’ Row and Robbie Canó” lineup would take care of business.
But that was the day I first learned just how much of a pain in the ass Justin Verlander could be. He was a little rough around the edges, walking four batters and putting a bunch of runners on, but his tenacity was remarkable.
