Justin Verlander Still Hopes to Pitch Until Age 45 After Signing Giants Contract

Newly acquired San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander's passion for the game is not something to question, as the right-hander "plans to pitch until he's 45," he told reporters.

"I wouldn't be back if I didn't think I could be great," Verlander said. "I really truly believe the experiences I had last year and leading into this year, I can be back to the pitcher I was not all that long ago when I won a Cy Young."

After signing a one-year, $15 million contract last week, the former 2011 MVP and 2006 Rookie of the Year will look to hit the ground running in San Francisco this season, coming close to his goal of continuing to pitch at 45 as he turns 42 at the start of February.

The veteran started his throwing practice earlier than usual during the offseason, already hitting 93 miles per hour and feeling good early on.

Last season, he averaged 93.4 miles per hour, so hitting 93 this early in the offseason is a promising sign for Verlander and Giants fans. Verlander told reporters that he had addressed some former shoulder and back issues that had limited him to 90.1 innings last season, though he did not go into details about what that entailed.

During Verlander's latest Cy Young season in 2022, he posted a career-best ERA of 1.75, allowing 116 hits while striking out 185, with a second-lowest WHIP of 0.829. Last season, over 17 games, he had a 5.48 ERA, allowing 98 hits while striking out 75, with a 1.384 WHIP.

In addition, Verlander has hopes of reaching the age benchmark while wearing No. 35, a number he has worn every time he has stepped onto the mound since 2005, except for his first two starts of his major league career.

That is, if he can seek the blessing from former Giants legend Brandon Crawford, who wore No. 35 for 13 seasons in San Francisco.

"I'm still putting a lot of thought into this," Verlander said. "I know that Buster (Posey) has reached out to Brandon Crawford, but I have not gotten the chance to talk to him personally."

Despite the uncertainties of how the year will shape out for Verlander, he is excited for the opportunity to turn his career around in a new location after underperforming in recent years with the Houston Astros.

"I've had a phenomenal ride with Houston, it's been a helluva chapter in my career…really last year left a sour taste in my mouth, not with the organization, just with myself," Verlander told reporters.