Houston, TX – When most pitchers hit their 40s, they’re thinking retirement. But Justin Verlander continues to prove he’s not most pitchers. On May 22, 2024, Verlander—at 41 years old—threw eight scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics, striking out nine and allowing just three hits.
With this outing, Verlander secured his 257th career win, edging closer to the 300-win milestone, a mark that only 24 pitchers in MLB history have reached. His ERA for the season remains under 3.00, and he’s showing little sign of wear. Even more impressive? His fastball is still touching 94 mph, and his slider has been generating elite whiff rates.
Verlander’s longevity and dominance are raising serious questions: Could he pitch into his mid-40s? Could he become the first pitcher since Randy Johnson to earn major accolades in his 40s? Right now, he’s rewriting the narrative on aging arms in baseball.
