​I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Commissioner for bestowing on me the extraordinary honor of being chosen for the All-Star Game. The chance to participate again is something I will deeply treasure, and it will stand out as an incredibly meaningful moment for me and my family. This season has tested me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, both physically and mentally. I have always believed that as long as I could compete at the standard I hold myself to, I would continue playing. Retirement has never been about reaching a milestone, hitting a specific number, or marking a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time to step away.
In the past several months, I’ve come to understand that time has arrived. While I am fully devoted to giving my all for the remainder of this season, I have decided that this will be my final year on the field. It feels right to finish where it all began, with the Detroit Tigers—the organization that drafted me and offered me my first real opportunity.
Baseball has given me far more than I could have imagined. It has taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of continuing to adapt and evolve. I have had the privilege of sharing the field with and competing against remarkable players, countless outstanding organizations, and fans who truly love the game. To every teammate, coach, player, clubhouse staff member, and fan who has been part of this journey—thank you. It has been a privilege to play alongside you.
To my family, especially my wife Kate, I am grateful for your unwavering support through every season, every rehab, and every high and low. I couldn’t have reached this point without you.
It’s time for the next chapter. But first, I’m excited to close out this season in the only way I know how—by giving it everything I’ve got. Justin Verlander.