​PHILADELPHIA — Justin Verlander used his fingers in this trip to Philadelphia simply to tip his cap toward applauding All-Star Game fans.He once playfully flipped off Phillies fans when his Houston Astros were in Philadelphia for the 2022 World Series.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere only was mutual respect in this game.The 43-year-old Verlander was one of the few All-Stars to receive a warm ovation in Philadelphia from a crowd that reveled in jeering just about any player who was not in a Phillies uniform.Verlander is set to retire at the end of the season to cap a career that includes three Cy Young Awards.Up first, one more Midsummer Classic.“In his 10th and final All-Star Game, please welcome to Philadelphia, Justin Verlander,” the public address announcer noted.Verlander didn’t totally sit out the American League’s 4-0 win over the National League.Toronto manager John Schneider asked Verlander to address the team and share thoughts on the importance of the All-Star honor out of respect for the pitcher’s career.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“You never know when you’re going to be in this position,” Schneider said as he relayed Verlander’s message. “You have to appreciate the people along the way. He’s made lifelong friends from being in this game for so long.”Verlander had more gas left in the pregame speech tank. He talked AL starter Dylan Cease out of throwing a changeup as the first pitch of the game and go with a heater against Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.Cease threw a 96.9-mph four-seam strike to Schwarber and struck out the side in the first inning,“He could be a politician,” Cease said of Verlander.Kevin McGonigle, Verlander’s’ 21-year-old Tigers teammate and suburban Philadelphia native, soaked in the moment when Verlander took the floor.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“He kept telling the guys that you don’t take anything for granted and if you keep working hard, you will find yourself back in this room multiple time,” McGonigle said. “Be a good teammate and building relationships and getting to learn as much as you can from other guys.”Verlander, who did not discuss the speech, enjoyed the chance to participate in some final festivities and walked the All-Star red carpet in the afternoon with his wife, model Kate Upton, and their two young children.The lone bummer for Verlander is that the Detroit Tigers All-Star was unable to pitch in the game as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Verlander, the oldest player in Major League Baseball, signed a one-year, $13 million contract to rejoin the Tigers in February.He only has made one start in an injury-ravaged season and was named to the All-Star team as a Legend Pick by Commissioner Rob Manfred. Phillies slugger Bryce Harper earned the honor in the National League.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I’m happy with the body of work,” Verlander said ahead of the game. “I hope I can add to it somehow,