If Your Birthday is February 20th...

 

...you share it with future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander.  266 victories over 20 seasons, more than 35000 strikeouts, three Cy Young Awards and the 2011 AL MLP to his credit, the legendary pitcher comes full circle this summer, returning to the Tigers at age 43.  The goal, getting his original team back to the fall classic.

He's been a bulldog over the years, leading the American League four times in innings pitched and five times in strikeouts.  Plus, he's been positive clubhouse presence -- who's appeared in nine League Championship Series and five World Series (earning rings with the 2017 and 2022 Astros). 

While no player is a "given," especially at his age, Verlander's return to Detroit will likely make the 2026 AL Central race even more interesting. 



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