Justin Verlander put in over a decade toiling for the Detroit Tigers. The Virginia native accomplished great things during that time. Forever the backbone of their starting pitching staff, JV could always be counted on to go out and give his all.
True, like any other pitcher, even the greatest over the years, he didn't always win. Sometimes he even got bombed by opposing hitters. But that happens in Major League Baseball. Goes with the territory.
Over his career, Verlander's won roughly twice as many games as he's lost. That's not only a very respectable percentage, but quite outstanding.
Throw in a couple no-hitters which, granted, usually involve a bit of luck, a Cy Young Award here and there, and even an MVP. Add his obvious longevity and presto, he's likely already a semi-lock for the Baseball Hall of Fame a few years down the road.
But there's one thing -- and it might be the most important to Verlander himself -- that he's never accomplished. Winning a World Series.
Yep, he's been there, but his Tiger team never came out on top. The "ring" continues to elude him.
Earlier this season, JV had a quick choice to make. The Tigers were willing to deal him to the super-competitive Houston Astros for a few "prospects" after they finally decided to go into full-blown rebuild mode. But Verlander had a no-trade clause in his contract. He had to approve it, or else no deal would happen. At that, he had only minutes to think about it before the trade deadline bell went ding.
As we all know, he did, and has been a member of the Stros for a few months. Also, he's yet to lose a game since joining his new team. Did I mention impressive?
In a previous post, yours truly wondered about the potential pitching match-ups between the LA Dodgers and Houston as the current World Series dragged on into the late stages. The way the rotations were set up, it was unlikely Verlander and LA ace Clayton Kershaw would face each other. And they haven't.
Like Verlander, Kershaw, a Cy Young veteran himself, can be almost unbeatable when he's on his game.
But a funny thing happened in Game 5 of this World Series. With the series tied 2-2, the Dodgers sent Kershaw out on semi-short rest in the hopes they could take a 3-2, then go back home only needing one more win out of two games to become champions.
But it didn't turn out that way. In a wild, rock-em, sock-em game, from which Kershaw was already long gone, the Astros prevailed 13-12. Now it is Houston that takes a 3-2 lead heading back to LA.
And Justin Verlander will likely be front and center for Game 6. No doubt he's raring to go.
This could be the crowning point of his career. Win this game, get himself the ring he has so long coveted, and bring Houston it's first title in forever. On the back end of the disaster wreaked by Hurricane Harvey.
Storybook stuff -- if it happens that way.
Yet let's not forget the Dodgers aren't exactly pushovers. They won over 100 games in the regular season as well, have steam-rolled their way through the playoffs so far, and could easily come roaring back to win two in a row, JV or no JV. He's been great, but nobody's unbeatable.
Ah well, whatever happens -- happens.
Even if the Virginian experiences the heartbreak of coming ever so close again, only to fall short, he has one thing that most other men would be envious of.
Win or lose, Kate's waiting at home.
And regardless of how you slice it or dice it -- that's a pretty sweet gig all by itself.
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