Madelyn Furstenau ‘26, Editor-in-Chief
A huge name has returned to the Detroit Tigers roster for the first time since his departure from the team in 2017: three-time Cy Young winner and 2011 American League MVP Justin Verlander will be a key part of the Tigers’ starting rotation this year, and Detroit fans have welcomed him back with open arms.
Verlander made his major league debut with the Tigers on July 4, 2005. He became an official starting pitcher the following season, eventually being named American League Rookie of the Year at an impressive 23 years old. He was named an MVP in 2011 after an astounding regular season, and he remained in Detroit for a total of 13 seasons, but was traded to the Houston Astros in August 2017, where he won a World Series just a few months later, helping claim the franchise’s first ever title. That same year, he won the American League Central Series MVP, topping off a legendary season for the right-handed pitcher. Verlander would go on to win another World Series with the Astros in 2022, putting on an incredible show in game five and securing yet another championship title for Houston.
Despite a victorious career in Houston, a baseball player will never feel the same connection they do with their first team, especially one they spent over a decade with. Although the Tigers are a top team now, it was not always that way. Throughout Verlander’s time in Detroit, the Tigers were consistently one of the worst teams in baseball, which can get exhausting and frustrating as a player, especially for so long. However, the timing for Verlander’s return was too perfect to pass up: “At that time, when I left, I thought that there was a chance that I could come back and potentially help the team in a full-circle thing when they’re good again.” Now that the Tigers have finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel, with impressive playoff runs in recent years, Verlander could potentially do just that. Extension into the postseason is great, but Detroit is ready for a championship.
The Cy Young Award is the most prestigious accolade a pitcher can receive, as it acknowledges one’s extraordinary performance throughout the regular season. The award is given to the top pitchers of the National and American Leagues, with one from each being voted on by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The Tigers are no stranger to this award, as Detroit is home to arguably the current best pitcher in baseball: Tarik Skubal. Skubal has won the American League Cy Young back-to-back the last two years, an impressive accomplishment reflecting his dominance on the mound and his peak athleticism. With talents like Skubal and Verlander in the rotation, joined by an additional three top-tier pitchers, newly-acquired Framber Valdez and returners Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize, the Tigers have secured the best starting rotation in the MLB.
Things are on the up-and-up for this team, and fans are thrilled to see what the 2026 season holds. Economics teacher and baseball fan Mr. Eric Davis said, “From a nostalgia point of view, it is great for the Tigers to bring home the guy that was a much-beloved ace of the staff for 13 years. It’s also great from a leadership perspective to have someone with his career credentials in the clubhouse to help mentor younger Tigers.” Having his friendly face and personality back is exciting, but what fans really anticipate is the elite pitching they know and love. Davis continued, “If he can put together the kind of numbers he did in the second half of last season with San Francisco, and eat some quality innings with the Tigers, I will be happy. I’m excited he’s back, but we also must keep in mind he is 43 and not the American League MVP from 2011.”
The Tigers are currently playing spring training games, so be sure to tune in—most games will be streamed on either MLB Network or ESPN, but not always, so be sure to check where you can watch some younger players in action this spring. The Tigers’ home opener is on April 3 at 1:10 p.m. against the St. Louis Cardinals, and Skubal has already been named the starting pitcher—mark your calendars, and go Tigers!
Lyon Life 