Justin Verlander Reaches 20-Season Milestone, Adds Another Legendary Chapter to Hall of Fame Career
SAN FRANCISCO — Two decades after his first major league pitch, Justin Verlander is still redefining what longevity and dominance look like in baseball. The 41-year-old right-hander reached a remarkable milestone this week, completing his 20th MLB season while compiling numbers that cement his place among the game’s greatest pitchers.
The career totals tell the story: 555 starts, 266 wins, 3,567.2 innings pitched, and 3,553 strikeouts. Those marks rank him among the all-time leaders in nearly every major pitching category—27th in starts, tied for 34th in wins, 64th in innings, and an astonishing eighth in strikeouts. Yet to simply list the stats is to undersell the influence of Verlander’s presence on and off the mound.
Now wearing the orange and black of the San Francisco Giants, Verlander remains a fierce competitor with a fastball that still touches the mid-90s and a curveball as sharp as it was during his Cy Young prime. His arrival in San Francisco added veteran leadership to a young pitching staff and brought a wealth of October experience to a franchise hungry for another championship.
“You don’t last 20 years in this league without constant adaptation,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “Justin never stops working, never stops finding ways to stay ahead of hitters. He’s a master of his craft and a leader in our clubhouse.”
Verlander debuted with the Detroit Tigers in 2005 as the second overall pick and quickly became the face of their rotation. Over 13 seasons in Detroit, he won an MVP award, two Cy Youngs, and led the Tigers to two American League pennants. A midseason trade to the Houston Astros in 2017 rejuvenated his career and added two more Cy Young Awards and a World Series ring.
When the Giants signed him ahead of the 2024 season, some wondered if he had enough left to make a difference in the National League. Instead, Verlander has provided durability and vintage dominance, mentoring young arms while still delivering quality starts.
“I love this game, and I love competing,” Verlander said after his latest milestone start. “Every season brings new challenges. To be able to keep pitching at a high level and help my team—it means everything.”
Teammates say his preparation sets the tone. “He’s the ultimate pro,” said ace Logan Webb. “Watching him work every day is inspiring. He’s shown all of us what it takes to stay great.”
Verlander’s family, including his wife Kate Upton and their daughter, joined him at Oracle Park for a pregame ceremony honoring his 20th season. Fans held signs that read “Forever an Ace” and “20 Years of Greatness,” saluting a career that seems destined for Cooperstown.
As the Giants chase a postseason berth, Verlander remains focused on team goals rather than personal accolades. “I’m grateful for the journey, but the job isn’t finished,” he said. “The goal is another ring.”
For baseball fans, Verlander’s longevity is a testament to modern training and timeless competitive fire. From his no-hitters and playoff heroics to his reputation as a clubhouse anchor, he has left an indelible mark on every team he’s played for and every hitter he’s faced.
Twenty years in, Justin Verlander isn’t just compiling numbers. He’s still shaping baseball history.
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