Justin Verlander Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life

Justin Verlander Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life
Justin Verlander – Biography, Childhood, Career, Accomplishments & Awards. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Justin Verlander is baseball player from the United States of America who plays for the Houston Astros of the Major League Baseball (MLB). Before his MLB debut, Justin Verlander had already shown immense talents and prospects in baseball. In the 2004 Major League Baseball draft, he was given the precious opportunity to prove his talents by being selected in the first round to play in the MLB. Justin Verlander is well known and respected in the sport as a strong and fast pitcher. In this Justin Verlander biography facts, childhood, net worth and personal life, we review his profile including some of the noteworthy incidents in his rise to the top level of baseball stardom.

Justin Verlander Biography Facts, Age, Nickname, Family, Wife, Team

  • Full Name: Justin Brooks Verlander 
  • Nickname: The Monarch
  • Born: February 20, 1983
  • Age: 41 years
  • Place of Birth: Manakin-Sabot, Virginia
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Baseball Player
  • League: MLB
  • MBL Debut: Detroit Tigers (4th July 2004)
  • Current Team: Houston Astros
  • Playing Position: Pitcher
  • Jersey Number: #35
  • Bats: Right-handed
  • Throws: Right
  • Net Worth: $95 million
  • Height: 6 ft, 5 in (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 102 kg (225 Ib)
  • Education: Goochland High School; Old Dominion University
  • Parents: Kathy Verlander (mother), Richard Verlander (Father).
  • Siblings: Ben Verlander (Brother).
  • Partner: Kate Upton (married 2017)
  • Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Justin Verlander Childhood/Early Life

The famous eight-time MLB star was born on the 20th of February 1983 to his father, Richard Verlander and mother, Kathy Verlander.

He attended Goochland High School where he was noted as a potential professional baseball player, exhibiting the training of Richmond Baseball Academy which he attended at his young age and at the time.

Justin Verlander College Career & Highlights

Verlander attended college at Old Dominion University after graduating from high school. He played college baseball during his years at the university and led the team to notable victories and trophies as he earned himself a name in college baseball and set hallmarks in the game. During the Pan American Games in 2003, Verlander helped the US national team to the second place, bringing home the silver medal. With a lot of incredible performances in college, he was awarded the 2002 CAA Rookie of the year title and claimed all possible CAA honours in the subsequent years. Still, in 2004, he earned the Old Dominion University’s 2004 Alumni Association’s Male Athlete of the Year award.

Justin Verlander MLB Career & Achievements

Detroit Tigers (2004–2017)

Justin Verlander was the second man selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st round of the 2004 MLB draft. After his 2004 MLB selection by the Tigers, which led to a contract agreement in October, he featured for Lakeland Flying tigers and Erie SeaWolves both which are affiliates to Detroit Tigers in the minor leagues.

In 2005, Justin Verlander made his professional debut in the MLB for the Tigers in July against the Cleveland Indians. While struggling to fit in with the competitiveness and work rate of the league, Verlander who although had two MLB starts that season and was placed on the sideline as a result of injury in August was still listed as Detroit Tigers highest prospect.

In 2006, he made his debut full MLB season and made a memory of it as he set a record of being the 1st recruit player to win 10 games before the first half of the season. With his performances, he became the 2006 AL Rookie of the year. Having a chance to pick up the World Series, Verlander along with the Tigers lost all 5 games to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series as Justin Verlander and Anthony Reyes were one of the highlights of the occasion to watch, being the 1st World Series to feature two starting opposing Rookie players.

During his sophomore full MLB season in 2007, Verlander recorded his maiden no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers. Although having a successful 2007 season, the 2008 season kicked off on a bad note for Verlander as he picked up 4 successive loss prior to his first win which saw him lead the MLB with 17 losses winning just 11.

In 2009, his record improved a great deal as he lost just 9 games this time while recording 19 wins. The fabulous record made Verlander lead the MLB in strikeouts with 269 and was placed 3rd in the American League Cy Young Award at the end of the season.

In 2010, his importance to the Tigers was marked by an $80 million 5-year deal contract extension. Into the season, Verlander won his season’s 10th game before the 1st part of the season, the 4th of it in 5 years; also setting a 17-win record, failing to reach that number only in 2008.

In May 2011, Justin Verlander recorded his career’s second no-hitter against Toronto Blue Jays and was named to the 2011 American League All-Star team, the 4th of his career. Verlander completed the season by winning the Triple Crown of pitching in the AL as he led in wins, strikeouts and ERA. Still to the list of honours he received in 2011 is the being the cover athlete of Major League Baseball 2K12 which would carry his face, the AL Sporting News Player of the Year Award, Players Choice Award for Player of the Year and Most Outstanding American League pitcher, Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award, USA Today American League Cy Young, AL Cy Young Award of 2011 and the AL MVP award.

After clinching loads of AL awards in 2011, the 2012 season came with its offers as Justin Verlander was named to another All-Star game, making it the fifth time in the 1st 6 years of his professional career. In the All-Star game, he led in innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts. Detroit Tigers also participated in the ALCS after a successful progression from the ALDS but couldn’t get to the finals of the tournament. The Tigers also participated in the World Series and were also eliminated.

As the honour to be named in the All-Star team became a yearly routine to Verlander, the 2013 season saw the MLB Star being named for the sixth time in seven years into the All-Star team although as a reserve but was unavailable as fixture congestions halted his involvements. That season, his performances dropped to a reasonable degree as it did not meet up to the standard he had set since the 2009 season. In the ALCS games, the Tigers were once more eliminated. 

In January 2014, Verlander had muscle surgery. Through the 1st part of the season, Verlander struggled to meet up to expectations and was viewed to be out of form. Although he stepped up for the later part of the season, his performances could still be nothing compared to his former. Due to injury problems linked to his muscle injury, he began the 2015 season ruled out for injury and wasn’t back to full action until August. Upon his return, statistics show that his performances improved compared to the previous season.

In the 2016 season, Verlander came back to his old self, announcing his return by leading the AL with 254 strikeouts recorded. He ended the season by emerging a finalist in the Cy Young Award.

Houston Astros (2017–date)

In August 2017, Justin Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros and made his debut in a win against Seattle Mariners. In his Houston Astros debut season, Verlander won back the heart of fans who felt he’d lost his pace and velocity as he found back his pitching form and picked up the ACLS MVP title and his 1st World Series Championship. In the postseason, he won the Babe Ruth Award for his performance in the postseason games. 

In the debut full season with Houston Astros, Verlander made his 200th career win, had a hallmark of 2,500 strikeouts and was placed 2nd in the AL Cy Young award. He was named the AL Player of the Week in the 3rd week of April 2018 and AL Player of the month of May. Once more he was named in the MLB All-Star Game for the seventh time and yet progressed to the ACLS which they were eliminated in the 5th round.

In 2019, a $66 million 2-year contract extension was agreed as Verlander committed some more years to the Astros. This season, Verlander recorded his career’s 3rd no-hitter. After finishing as a runner up in the previous year’s AL Cy Young award, he was named the winner this season as well as receiving his 8th MLB All-Star team honour. After his 3,000th strikeout, he is recognized as the only pitcher with that record still playing.

Justin Verlander Net Worth, Salary, & Endorsement

Justin Verlander is estimated to worth about $95 million and earns an annual salary of $33 million after his $66 million contract extension. He has endorsement deals with popular brands such as Rawlings, Supercuts, USAA and Under Armour.

Justin Verlander Personal life & Trivia

In 2018, Justin Verlander and Kate Upton got married to cement their five-year relationship and they have a daughter together named Genevieve. Justin and Kate got married after nude photos of both of them with other women were leaked online. Kate Upton is a model and an actress.

Following the disastrous Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Verlander donated over a million dollars to the “Wins For Warriors Foundation” to help the residents recover from the catastrophe. He has also been linked as a regular donator to the Red Cross and other national efforts.

During the season breaks and off-seasons, he stays in his residence at Lakeland, Florida and uses a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster which is estimated to worth about $400,000.

SEE MORE: Biography facts and profile of famous MLB/baseball players


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