Justin Verlander is back in Detroit, and he’s not just here for a farewell tour - he’s chasing the one thing that eluded him during his first run with the Tigers: a World Series title.
Now 42 years old and entering his 21st MLB season, Verlander is returning to the city where he became a household name, signing a one-year, $13 million deal that brings him full circle. For Tigers fans, this is more than a nostalgia play. This is a reunion with purpose.
“The one thing I would like to accomplish in Detroit that I had a couple shots at that I really regret not achieving was a World Series title,” Verlander said during his re-introductory press conference.
Verlander’s legacy in Detroit is already cemented. He arrived as a flame-throwing rookie in 2006, won AL Rookie of the Year, and over the next 13 seasons, built one of the most decorated résumés in franchise history.
We're talking about a Cy Young and MVP in 2011, six All-Star appearances, and four seasons where he struck out at least 239 batters. He helped lead the Tigers to the World Series twice - in 2006 and 2012 - but came up short both times.
That still stings.
Since leaving Detroit, Verlander added two World Series rings to his collection with the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2022, proving he could still dominate deep into his 30s. But the idea of finishing what he started in Detroit? That’s been on his mind.
“I was sitting there thinking about where I wanted to be, and Detroit just kept coming to my mind,” Verlander said, reflecting on the end of his 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants. “As soon as the season was over, I called Scott (Harris), Chris (Ilitch), and A.J. (Hinch) and let my intentions be known.”
At first, it didn’t look like there was a spot for him. The Tigers’ rotation was already crowded. But baseball has a way of creating opportunity, and when right-hander Reese Olson underwent surgery for a torn labrum - a blow that will sideline him for the entire 2026 season - the door opened for Verlander to step in.
He and Tigers president Scott Harris had what Verlander called “very candid conversations,” and with innings now up for grabs, the fit made sense.
This isn’t just a feel-good story. Detroit is entering the 2026 season as the favorite in the AL Central, and Verlander’s return gives them a proven postseason arm with unmatched experience. He may not be the same overpowering ace he once was, but his presence in the rotation - and the clubhouse - adds serious value.
Verlander’s comeback isn’t about chasing personal milestones. It’s about chasing closure.
For a player who’s done just about everything in the game, one goal remains unfinished: bringing a title back to Detroit. And now, he’s got one more shot to do it.