Career Timeline of Justin Verlander: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Justin Verlander, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Justin Verlander is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and New York Mets. He is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and an AL MVP, widely regarded as one of baseball's greatest pitchers.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1968: Strikeout Record Comparison

In 2016, Justin Verlander's 4.46 strikeout-to-walk ratio was a career-best and a Tiger record for a season, eclipsing the 4.44 mark set by Denny McLain in the 1968 season.

1970: Opening Day Record

On April 4, 2017, Justin Verlander tied a franchise record for the most strikeouts on Opening Day with ten, becoming the first Tigers player to do so since Mickey Lolich in 1970.

1986: Tied Astros franchise record

On October 4, Verlander authored a 10-strikeout, no-hit performance over five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. In that game, he tied Jim Deshaies' 1986 Astros franchise record of eight consecutive strikeouts.

2000: Lowest ERA Since 2000

In 2022, Justin Verlander's ERA was the lowest qualifying ERA over a non-shortened season in the American League (excluding 2020) since Pedro Martinez's 1.74 mark in 2000.

2003: Pan American Games Silver Medal

In 2003, Justin Verlander helped lead the United States national team to a silver medal at the Pan American Games.

2003: Won silver medal in Pan American Games

In 2003, as a college sophomore, Justin Verlander pitched for the United States national baseball team and helped the US win a silver medal in the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo.

October 25, 2004: Signed Contract with Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander's professional baseball career began when he signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers on October 25, 2004 after being selected in the MLB Draft.

2004: ODU Male Athlete of the Year and MLB Draft Pick

In 2004, Justin Verlander was named the ODU Alumni Association's Male Athlete of the Year and was the second overall pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers.

2004: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

In 2004, Justin Verlander was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the second overall pick of the MLB draft.

July 4, 2005: MLB Debut

Justin Verlander made his MLB debut on July 4, 2005. He went 0–2 with a 7.15 ERA in his only two starts of the season.

2005: MLB Debut with the Tigers

In 2005, Justin Verlander made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers, playing there for 12 years.

2005: Professional Debut

Justin Verlander made his professional debut in 2005, playing for two of Detroit's minor league affiliates and starting two games for the Tigers in July.

July 4, 2006: Multiple 100+ mph Fastballs

On July 4, 2006, Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya, and Fernando Rodney each threw multiple fastballs over 100 mph during a game, marking the first time in MLB history that three pitchers on the same team had done so. The game occurred at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California.

2006: AL Pennant with Tigers

In 2006, Justin Verlander was a key figure as the Detroit Tigers won an AL Pennant.

2006: AL Rookie of the Year

In 2006, Justin Verlander was named AL Rookie of the Year.

2006: Strikeout Rate

In 2014, Justin Verlander's strikeout rate was the lowest since his 2006 rookie season.

2006: Pitch Count Since Rookie Season

In 2015, Justin Verlander had thrown more pitches than any other pitcher since his rookie season in 2006, with 32,535 pitches in the regular season and 1,688 pitches in the postseason.

2007: First No-Hitter at Comerica Park

In 2007, Justin Verlander pitched the first no-hitter at Comerica Park against the Milwaukee Brewers.

2007: No-Hitter Against Milwaukee Brewers

In 2007, Justin Verlander recorded a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, striking out twelve and walking four while throwing a fastball 102 mph (164 km/h).

2008: Led MLB in Losses

In 2008, Justin Verlander led MLB in losses with 17, finishing the season with an 11–17 win-loss record and a 4.84 ERA.

2008: Lowest Innings Pitched Since

In 2013, Justin Verlander finished the regular season with 218+1⁄3 innings pitched, the lowest total since the 2008 season.

2008: All-Star Snapped Streak

In 2014, Justin Verlander was not named to the AL All-Star team for the first time since 2008, snapping a streak of five straight appearances.

2008: Velocity Over 100+ mph in Late Innings

Since 2008, Justin Verlander has thrown pitches of over 100+ mph in the 8th inning or later 44 times, which is 39 more times than James Paxton who is second on the list.

July 24, 2009: Escaped Bases Loaded with No Outs

On July 24, 2009, Justin Verlander became the first Major League starter in 24 years to load the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning or later and get out of it without allowing a run.

2009: Led AL in Wins and Strikeouts

In 2009, Justin Verlander led the AL in wins and strikeouts for the first time in his career.

2009: Strikeout Rate Comparison

In 2016, Justin Verlander's strikeout rate of 10.0 per 9 IP was the second-best of his career, trailing only the 10.1/9 rate posted in 2009.

2009: Finished Season

Justin Verlander finished the 2009 season with a 19–9 record, an ERA of 3.45 and an MLB-leading 269 strikeouts, the most by a Tiger since Mickey Lolich's 308 in 1971, while his 10.1/9 IP strikeout rate led all American League starters. His 19 wins led the majors this season. Verlander finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting behind winner Zack Greinke and runner-up Félix Hernández.

2009: Led League in Innings Pitched and Strikeouts

Justin Verlander has led the league in innings pitched in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2019. He was also the American League strikeout champion in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2018, leading all of major league baseball in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

2010: Contract Extension and Season Performance

In 2010, Justin Verlander reached a deal with the Tigers for a five-year, $80 million contract extension. He earned his 10th win of the season on July 3, marking the fourth time in five years he had double-digit wins before the All-Star break. He finished the season with an 18–9 record and a 3.37 ERA while fanning 219 batters in 224+1⁄3 innings.

April 22, 2011: 1,000th Career Strikeout

On April 22, 2011, Justin Verlander recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in a 9–3 win over the White Sox, becoming the 15th Tiger to do so.

2011: Triple Crown

By the end of the 2011 season, Justin Verlander had won the Triple Crown of pitching in the AL, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250; tied for sixth most in Tigers history) and ERA (2.40).

2011: Pitching Triple Crown, Cy Young, MVP, and Sporting News Player of the Year

In 2011, Justin Verlander produced his most successful season, winning the Pitching Triple Crown, the AL Cy Young Award unanimously, the AL MVP Award, and the Sporting News Player of the Year Award.

2011: Won first ERA title since 2011 MVP campaign

In 2022, Justin Verlander won his first ERA title since his 2011 MVP campaign.

2011: Led League in Innings Pitched and Strikeouts

2011: AL Central Division Championship

Justin Verlander was a key figure in the Detroit Tigers' four consecutive AL Central division championships from 2011 to 2014.

2011: AL Cy Young and MVP Awards

Justin Verlander won both the 2011 AL Cy Young Award and the AL MVP Award, becoming the first pitcher to claim an AL MVP Award since Dennis Eckersley in 1992 and the first starting pitcher to do so since Roger Clemens in 1986.

May 18, 2012: One-Hitter Against Pirates

On May 18, 2012, Justin Verlander took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up a one-out single in a 6–0 victory. He struck out 12 in the game.

2012: Cy Young Award Runner-Up

Following the 2016 season, Justin Verlander was a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award, ultimately finishing second in voting to Rick Porcello. The vote was the second-closest in history (to the 2012 AL Cy Young race Verlander lost).

2012: ALCS Appearance

In 2012, Justin Verlander made his only appearance in the ALCS in Game 3 against the New York Yankees. He earned a 2–1 win, allowing one run in the ninth inning, recording 24 consecutive scoreless postseason innings in between.

2012: World Series Game 1

In 2012, Justin Verlander pitched Game 1 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, giving up five earned runs in four innings, including two home runs to Pablo Sandoval. The Tigers were eventually swept in the Series.

2012: AL Pennant with Tigers

In 2012, Justin Verlander was a key figure as the Detroit Tigers won an AL Pennant.

2012: All-Star Selection and Regular Season Performance

In 2012, Justin Verlander was named to the American League All-Star team, as the starting pitcher. He had a 9–5 record and a 2.58 ERA at the All-Star break, leading the AL in innings pitched, strikeouts, and complete games. However, he gave up five runs in one inning in the All-Star game. He finished the 2012 regular season with a 17–8 record, ranking first in the AL in innings pitched, strikeouts, and complete games, and second in ERA.

2012: Led League in Innings Pitched and Strikeouts

2013: ALDS Performance

In 2013, Justin Verlander struck out eleven Oakland Athletics hitters in Game 2 of the ALDS. In Game 5 of the series, Verlander pitched eight shutout innings with ten strikeouts, taking a no-hitter into the 7th inning. The win sent the Tigers to the American League Championship Series for the third consecutive year.

2013: All-Star Selection

In 2013, Justin Verlander was selected as a reserve pitcher for the American League All-Star team. However, he was declared unavailable for the July 16 All-Star game due to starting a game on July 14. Entering the All-Star break, Verlander had a 10–6 record, 125 strikeouts and a 3.50 ERA.

2013: Honored with the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award

In 2013, for his work with military veterans, Justin Verlander was honored as one of the inaugural recipients of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.

2013: Regular Season Finish

Justin Verlander finished the 2013 regular season with a 13–12 record, a 3.46 ERA, and 217 strikeouts. His 218+1⁄3 innings pitched were the lowest total since his 2008 season.

2013: Contract Extension

Prior to the 2013 season, Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a seven-year, $180 million contract, making him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history. The contract also included a $22 million vesting option for 2020 if he finishes in the top five in Cy Young Award voting in 2019.

2014: Velocity Soared

After a couple of injury-prone seasons, Justin Verlander's velocity soared back up to an average of 95.3 in his 2017 campaign, 4 miles per hour faster than his average in 2014 (91.2).

2014: First Half Struggles

During the first half of 2014, Justin Verlander experienced struggles with reduced strikeouts, and elevated ERA and WHIP. He was not named to the AL All-Star team for the first time since 2008.

2014: Second Half Improvement

In 2014, Justin Verlander improved in the second half, lowering his ERA and WHIP. He finished the season with a 15–12 record. He mentioned in 2018 that he had not fully recovered from the core surgery during the 2014 season, contributing to production inferior to his career norms.

2014: AL Central Division Championship

Justin Verlander was a key figure in the Detroit Tigers' four consecutive AL Central division championships from 2011 to 2014.

2015: Velocity Soared

After a couple of injury-prone seasons, Justin Verlander's velocity soared back up to an average of 95.3 in his 2017 campaign, three miles per hour faster than his average in 2015 (92.3).

2015: Disabled List Placement

In 2015, Justin Verlander started the season on the disabled list due to a right triceps strain, ending his streak of seven consecutive Opening Day starts for the Tigers. This marked the first time Verlander had been placed on the DL in his major league career.

2015: Near No-Hitter and Season Stats

On August 26, 2015, Justin Verlander came within three outs of his third career no-hitter before allowing a double. He finished the game with one hit, two walks, and nine strikeouts. Verlander finished 2015 with a 5–8 record but improved stats compared to the previous season, including a 3.38 ERA and 1.088 WHIP.

2016: Strikeout Milestones

In 2016, Justin Verlander recorded his 1,981st strikeout, surpassing Jack Morris for second place on the Tigers' all-time strikeout list. On May 18, Verlander reached his 2,000th career strikeout. He entered the 2016 All-Star break with an 8–6 record.

2016: Started "Wins For Warriors Foundation"

In 2016, Justin Verlander started the "Wins For Warriors Foundation" for veterans of the United States Military.

2016: AL Pitcher of the Month

In July 2016, Justin Verlander was named the American League Pitcher of the Month, after going 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA. On September 27, Verlander struck out 12 batters, marking a career-high eight games with 10 or more strikeouts this season.

2016: Season Achievements

Justin Verlander finished the 2016 season with a 16–9 record and led the American League with 254 strikeouts. His 1.00 WHIP also ranked first in the AL, and his 3.04 ERA ranked second. His strikeout rate of 10.0 per 9 IP was the second-best of his career.

2016: American League Strikeout Champion

Justin Verlander was the American League strikeout champion in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

2016: Became a Three-Pitch Pitcher

Since the 2016 season, Justin Verlander has essentially become a three-pitch pitcher (fastball, slider, curveball).

April 4, 2017: Opening Day Strikeouts

On April 4, 2017, Justin Verlander tied a franchise record for the most strikeouts on Opening Day with ten, becoming the first Tigers player to do so since Mickey Lolich in 1970.

2017: Traded to Astros and World Series Win

Before the 2017 trade deadline, Justin Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros, going undefeated in his first five starts. He was named AL Championship Series MVP and co-winner of the Babe Ruth Award as the Astros won the 2017 World Series.

2017: Incorporated Sliders

In 2017, Justin Verlander began to incorporate both slower, longer sliders under the hands of lefties, and the sharper, faster slider down and away to righties.

2017: "Wins For Warriors Foundation" raised $246,311 for Hurricane Harvey Relief

In 2017, The "Wins For Warriors Foundation" campaign raised $246,311 to help Houston recover from Hurricane Harvey.

2017: Velocity Soared

In his 2017 campaign, Justin Verlander's velocity soared back up to an average of 95.3 miles per hour.

2017: Helped Astros clinch a Postseason Berth

On September 30, 2023, Justin Verlander threw 5 innings of shutout ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks to help the Astros clinch a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season, the fourth time that the Astros clinched a postseason berth in a Verlander start since he was traded to the team in 2017.

March 5, 2018: Named Opening Day Starter

On March 5, 2018, Justin Verlander was named the opening day starter for the Houston Astros. This marked his 10th career opening day start and his first with the Houston Astros.

2018: 200 Career Wins

In 2018, Justin Verlander became the 114th pitcher in major league history to earn 200 career wins, also becoming the 20th-fastest to reach the milestone (427 starts).

2018: American League Strikeout Champion

Justin Verlander was the American League strikeout champion in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

2018: Became a Three-Pitch Pitcher

Since the 2016 season, Justin Verlander has essentially become a three-pitch pitcher (fastball, slider, curveball). By 2018, his changeup usage had dropped considerably.

March 24, 2019: Contract Extension with Astros

On March 24, 2019, Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros agreed to a two-year, $66 million contract extension to keep Verlander with the team through the 2021 season.

2019: 3,000 Strikeouts and Third No-Hitter

In 2019, Justin Verlander became the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw three career no-hitters, and the 18th to strike out 3,000 batters.

2019: Contract Vesting Option Year

In 2019, Justin Verlander had a contract with the Detroit Tigers that included a $22 million vesting option for 2020 if he finishes in the top five in Cy Young Award voting in 2019. The contract was signed prior to the 2013 season.

2019: Second Cy Young Award

In 2019, Justin Verlander had his first career 300-strikeout season and won his second Cy Young award while leading the Astros to their second pennant in three seasons.

2019: Led League in Innings Pitched

Justin Verlander has led the league in innings pitched in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2019.

July 24, 2020: Made 12th Career Opening Day Start

On July 24, 2020, Justin Verlander made his 12th career opening day start and earned the win, striking out seven and allowing two runs through six innings. The Astros secured their eighth straight win on Opening Day since their move to the AL West in 2013.

2020: Contract Vesting Option

In 2020, Justin Verlander had a $22 million vesting option as part of his contract with the Detroit Tigers if he finished in the top five in Cy Young Award voting in 2019. This contract was agreed upon prior to the 2013 season.

2020: Lowest ERA Since 2000

In 2022, Justin Verlander's ERA was the lowest qualifying ERA over a non-shortened season in the American League (excluding 2020) since Pedro Martinez's 1.74 mark in 2000.

December 13, 2021: Signed One-Year Contract with Astros

On December 13, 2021, Justin Verlander signed a one-year contract with the Houston Astros, which included an option for a second season.

2021: Matched Record for Highest AAV in MLB History

On December 7, 2022, Justin Verlander signed a two-year contract with the New York Mets that matched the record for highest Average Annual Value (AAV) in MLB history with teammate Max Scherzer's contract signed during the 2021–22 offseason.

April 9, 2022: Return to the Mound

On April 9, 2022, Justin Verlander made his return to the mound against the Los Angeles Angels, marking his first appearance since Opening Day 2020. Verlander struck out seven and allowed one run over five innings in the 2-0 loss.

August 23, 2022: Passed Pedro Martínez on all-time strikeout list

On August 23, 2022, Verlander threw six hitless innings and struck out ten batters in a 4–2 win against the Minnesota Twins, passing Pedro Martínez on the all-time strikeout list.

December 7, 2022: Signed with the New York Mets

On December 7, 2022, Verlander signed a two-year, $86.7 million contract with the New York Mets, with a $35 million vesting option for 2025.

2022: Third Cy Young and Second World Championship

In 2022, Justin Verlander returned, winning 18 games with a sub-2.00 ERA, leading the Astros to their second World championship. He received his third Cy Young Award that offseason.

2022: Verlander's 2022 Campaign

Justin Verlander concluded his 2022 campaign with an 18–4 record, a 1.75 ERA, and 185 strikeouts. He led all the Major Leagues in ERA, WHIP (0.829), and BAA (.186) while leading the American League in wins.

August 1, 2023: Traded to the Houston Astros

On August 1, 2023, the Mets traded Verlander to the Houston Astros for outfield prospects Drew Gilbert, Ryan Clifford, and cash considerations.

2023: Declined Invitation to World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Justin Verlander was invited to join the United States national team at the World Baseball Classic, but he declined, citing his recent recovery from Tommy John surgery and World Series campaign.