Justin Verlander's retirement announcement comes with a well-earned hat tip to SI Swimsuit legend Kate Upton

Three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2011 AL MVP Justin Verlander announced on social media he will be retiring after this season, his 22nd in the big leagues. (This video contains AI-assisted content.)

Justin Verlander announced on Wednesday that this season would be the last of his career. His return to the Detroit Tigers hasn't gone as planned.

He's given up five earned runs in just three and two thirds innings of work due to injury. Even more disappointing than those numbers was the wasted bikini welcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit had for him ahead of what was supposed to be his first home start back in April.

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 21: Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) with his wife, Kate Upton, prior to the Fathers' Day game between Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers on June 21, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Verlander missed that start and hasn't pitched in a game since his first start of the season in Arizona back in March. His retirement announcement came after Major League Baseball revealed that he had been selected to his 10th All-Star Game as a "Legend Pick."

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

The game of baseball has told him it's time to hang it up. The All-Star and retirement announcements have come, as you would expect, with a look back at his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year and 2011 MVP has three Cy Young Awards to his name. He has two World Series rings and three no-hitters to go along with his other accolades.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 19: Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros and wife Kate Upton pose for a photo with their