With just days left before finally hanging up his cleats at the end of the 2026 MLB season, legendary right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander took a moment to look back and analyze his brief but intense tenure with the New York Mets franchise.

During a press conference at the 2026 All-Star Game, where he was selected by Commissioner Rob Manfred as a special "Legend Pick", the three-time Cy Young Award winner shared deep reflections on one of the most unique stops of his illustrious career, which has spanned more than two decades.

Major Leagues Major League Baseball says yes to the 2028 Olympics, Players Association stands in the way

A brief romance that left a mark on his life in New York

Justin Verlander’s time in Queens fell far short of the sky-high expectations for the team's performance. However, on a personal and family level, the 43 years old veteran holds a deep affection for the metropolis.

"I really fell in love with the city. It was short, obviously. It didn't go the way we wanted. There were a lot of sad aspects to it. But I think the relationship with Steve Cohen and his wife Alex how great they were to me and my family... Being able to play that short time in New York was incredible. I still have my apartment in the city," the elite pitcher noted.

The starter, who is currently playing his farewell season with the Detroit Tigers, explained that the true value of his time in New York lay in everyday experiences and interpersonal bonds, rather than results on the mound.

"There aren't many positives. I built some great relationships there. I think another thing I appreciate was having the chance to play with Max again, kind of rekindling that relationship after a few years apart. Just a lot of growth. I remember my daughter skipping around the city on her little scooter. Just a lot of, you know, life memories there. It was a great time in my life," he concluded.

This revealed how a natural-born competitor processed the collapse of the Queens front office's ambitious 2023 project, viewing it as a period of personal growth alongside his wife, Kate Upton, and their daughter, Genevieve.

The outcome of the Queens' multimillion-dollar gamble

To understand the background of his statements, it is necessary to analyze the managerial and operational context surrounding his arrival at Citi Field. In December 2022, following Jacob deGrom's departure for Texas, Mets owner Steve Cohen doubled down on elite veteran talent.

Justin Verlander signed a two-year, $86.6 million contract (averaging $43.3 million annually), matching the record-setting figure held by his former Detroit teammate, Max Scherzer. The Mets' rotation was shaping up to be one of the most formidable and expensive in Major League Baseball history.

Major Leagues Production error? The truth about the Netflix blunder that rocked the 2026 Home Run Derby

However, the team's plans hit mechanical and physical snags right from the start. Verlander began the 2023 season on the injured list due to a right (teres major) muscle strain. Despite a delayed debut in May, the right-hander managed to find his rhythm on the mound.

In 16 starts for the Mets, he posted a 6–5 record with a 3.15 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 94.1 innings of work. On a team level, however, the chemistry never clicked; the bullpen faltered, and the offense lacked consistency.

Finding themselves out of postseason contention by the summer of 2023, the front office led by Billy Eppler executed a major rebuilding strategy at the trade deadline. Verlander was sent back to the Houston Astros in exchange for highly regarded outfield prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. In the trade, the Mets agreed to cover a significant portion of Verlander's remaining salary to secure the best possible return in talent, bringing an end to an on-field experiment that lasted just three months but left an indelible mark on the future Hall of Famer.

Who is Justin Verlander?

Justin Brooks Verlander, born on February 20, 1983, in Virginia, is one of the most dominant pitchers of the modern era in Major League Baseball. He made his debut in 2005 with the Detroit Tigers, the franchise where he cemented his star status by winning Rookie of the Year in 2006, as well as the MVP award and his first Cy Young Award during his historic 2011 campaign.

After being traded to the Houston Astros in 2017, Verlander further burnished his legacy by winning two World Series titles and adding two more Cy Young Awards to his trophy case. With over 260 wins and having surpassed the milestone of 3,500 strikeouts, the right-hander is playing his farewell season with Detroit, all but guaranteeing his future unanimous induction into the Hall of Fame.