Justin Verlander

Justin Brooks Verlander (born February 20, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

In 2006, Verlander was named the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year. On June 12, 2007, he pitched a no-hitter—the first ever at Comerica Park—against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out 12 batters and walking four. He pitched a second no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 7, 2011, in Toronto, walking one and facing the minimum 27 batters. On November 15, 2011, Verlander was named the 2011 AL Cy Young Award winner by a unanimous vote, becoming the first American League pitcher since Johan Santana in 2006 to win the award in such a fashion. On November 21, 2011, Verlander was voted the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP), winning with 280 points over Jacoby Ellsbury's 242, completing a sweep of the Cy Young Award and MVP. He is listed at 6'5" and 225 pounds.

Baseball career

Amateur career

Verlander's father Richard sent him to The Richmond Baseball Academy. He was able to throw his fastball 84 mph (135 km/h) shortly after joining the academy. His velocity plateaued at 86 mph (138 km/h) during his senior year at Goochland High School, during which he was sidetracked by strep throat. Verlander's velocity reached 87 mph (140 km/h) during his first year at Old Dominion.