Justin Verlander Retires in Emotional Farewell as Daughter Walks Him Off the Mound

Whoever said there’s no crying in baseball never saw a Major League Baseball player break down in tears as his 7-year-old daughter greeted him on the pitcher’s mound with a big hug before walking him off the field and into retirement.

Justin Verlander, 43-year-old pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, wasn’t the only one crying as the scene unfolded last weekend.

It was a touching end to a remarkable career — and a picture of something worth celebrating: a man who achieved tremendous professional success while still recognizing the importance of being a husband and father.

When the team manager came out to remove Verlander in the sixth inning, Genevieve, Verlander’s young daughter, came running out behind him and the surprise brought Verlander to tears. 

He hugged his daughter as fans stood and applauded. 

After 21 seasons of major league baseball, Verlander took Genevieve by the hand and together they walked off the field to Kate Upton, his wife and mother of their children, and their one-year-old son Bellamy. 

It was a perfect ending to an incredible baseball career and a reminder of what Verlander says matters most to him. 

Speaking to reporters after the game, Verlander became emotional as he talked about his family and the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level of professional sports. 

“There’s just a level of commitment it takes to be great at something,” Verlander said at a press conference reflecting on his career and his family. 

He told the press, “My family means the world to me” and “I’m happy now that I get the opportunity to make up for lost time.” 

Verlander has had an exceptional baseball career with much to be proud of professionally. 

According to the MLB, over his 21 seasons Verlander won three Cy Young awards, an MVP and Rookie of the Year, 10 All-Star selections and two world series championships.

He threw three no-hitter games — something only six pitchers in MLB history have accomplished — and finished his career with 266 wins and 3,554 strikeouts, ranking him as eighth all-time strikeouts in MLB history.

When it comes to Verlander’s career, there is a lot to celebrate. What made Verlander’s final weekend so special wasn’t just a walk down memory lane celebrating his extraordinary professional achievements.

It was watching an incredibly successful baseball player who is also a father moved to tears when his little girl came running toward him.

It was hearing a professional athlete who is also a devoted husband and father say, “My family means the world to me.”

Our culture needs good men. Men who work hard, keep their commitments, love their wives and joyfully embrace fatherhood.

Christians believe marriage and fatherhood are sacred callings, and loving, leading and being present for your family is the important work.

Today, we celebrate Justin Verlander’s professional success, but of course there’s something even more important to recognize and honor — a good man who loves his family and understands that being a husband and a father is among the most important work he will ever do.