It is a special, magical feeling just
watching Justin Verlander step onto the mound, a
knots-in-your-stomach-and-a-smirk-you-can’t-wipe-away feeling. Not only did he
unanimously win the American League Cy Young award, but he defied statistics
and history by becoming the first starting pitcher since 1986 to become MVP. He
threw a no-hitter to boot. Verlander set a new standard for what a major league
pitcher can and should be. A win from Verlander is simply not enough at this
point. A win from Verlander has become the new minimum standard, and it’s
exciting to think that we can look forward to a potential no-hitter every time
he hits the mound. Verlander has certainly become the face of the Tigers organization,
but also all of Detroit sports.
This article appears in Apr 25 – May 1, 2012.
