Kate Upton's drastic decision following Justin Verlander's retirement from baseball

Kate Upton has made her feelings about Justin Verlander ’s retirement very clear, as the former MLB star’s decision to walk away from baseball has brought an unexpected response. Verlander officially closed the book on his 21-year career with the Detroit Tigers , making his final appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 26 as the emotional farewell included his daughter.

Genevieve threw out the ceremonial first pitch before watching her father take the mound one final time whilst Upton was there for the occasion alongside their children, but days later she revealed that Verlander ’s retirement has also changed her own relationship with America’s pastime. “I’m so excited. I’m never watching another baseball game again,” Upton joked while sitting next to Verlander on the Today show. “It was tears of joy for me." The studio filled with laughter, but it was a moving night at Comerica Park as the 43-year-old took to the mound for his final start as he pitched over five innings against the Pirates. He delivered a characteristically strong performance allowing two runs on five hits while recording six strikeouts in 91 pitches as Detroit eventually won 4-3 and his final outing provided an emotional conclusion. After being removed in the sixth inning, Verlander embraced Genevieve before giving her the baseball from his final MLB pitch and the veteran then walked off the field to a standing ovation with the 34-year-old Upton , watching from the sidelines.

Why Justin Verlander will be so remembered by baseball fans

Verlander leaves baseball with a resume that places him among the most accomplished pitchers of his generation, winning three Cy Young Awards , two World Series titles and 10 All-Star selections. But his longevity was just as remarkable as his individual success as Verlander reached 3,500 career strikeouts, becoming only the 10th pitcher in MLB history to reach the milestone at the time. He finished his career with 3,560 strikeouts, ranking eighth on the all-time list. The right-hander was also a five-time American League strikeout champion and finished among the league's top 10 in innings pitched nine times. His combination of velocity and durability helped define an era of power pitching as Verlander was particularly known for maintaining his fastball late in games. From 2008 onward, he threw pitches exceeding 100mph in the eighth inning or later 44 times, illustrating the unusual endurance that became a hallmark of his career. His retirement closes one of the longest careers of his generation, while Upton 's decision not to watch another baseball game gives the family a humorous footnote to the end of his playing days.