Justin Verlander is one of the most decorated pitchers in Major League Baseball history, a three-time Cy Young Award winner whose fastball and longevity have made him a first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate. Over a career stretching beyond two decades, he has won World Series titles, thrown three no-hitters, and earned more than $400 million in on-field salary — the second-highest career total in baseball history.
Born on February 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, Verlander rose from a small-town high school arm to the second overall pick of the 2004 MLB draft. His marriage to model and actress Kate Upton has kept him in the public eye far beyond the ballpark, making him one of baseball’s most recognizable figures worldwide.
This full biography covers Justin Verlander age (43 as of 2026), height (6 feet 5 inches), weight, MLB career journey, wife Kate Upton, family, and his estimated net worth — along with interesting facts and frequently asked questions about the veteran right-hander.
Justin Verlander Wiki and Biography
| Full Name | Justin Brooks Verlander |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1983 |
| Age | 43 years old (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Profession | Professional Baseball Player (Pitcher) |
| Years Active | 2005 – present |
| Wife / Marital Status | Married to Kate Upton since November 2017 |
Justin Brooks Verlander was born on February 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, a small community in Virginia, to Richard and Kathy Verlander. At Old Dominion University, Verlander became the most dominant pitcher in school history, setting the school’s single-season strikeout records and finishing as the Monarchs’ all-time strikeout leader. Those performances convinced the Detroit Tigers to take him with the second overall pick in the 2004 MLB draft.
Justin Verlander Height, Weight and Body Measurements
| Height | 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 225 lbs (102 kg) |
| Body Measurements | Approximately 44-35-15 inches (chest–waist–biceps); athletic build |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Shoe Size | Not publicly disclosed |
| Distinctive Features | Towering 6’5″ frame, broad smile |
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 225 pounds, Verlander is one of the most physically imposing pitchers of his generation. His tall, athletic frame gives him a steep downhill delivery angle that has made his fastball and curveball especially devastating to hitters.
Justin Verlander Career
| Profession | Major League Baseball Pitcher |
|---|---|
| Career Started | MLB debut July 4, 2005, with the Detroit Tigers |
| Known For | Three Cy Young Awards, AL MVP, three no-hitters, 3,500+ career strikeouts |
| Platforms | Detroit Tigers (2005–2017), Houston Astros (2017–2020, 2022), New York Mets (2023), Houston Astros (2023), San Francisco Giants (2025), Detroit Tigers (2026) |
| Career Milestones | AL Rookie of the Year 2006; AL Cy Young & MVP 2011; no-hitters in 2007, 2011, 2019; World Series titles 2017 & 2022; Cy Young Awards 2019 & 2022; nine-time All-Star; 266 career wins |
Verlander made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers in July 2005 and was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2006. By 2011 he was the most feared pitcher in baseball: he won the AL pitching Triple Crown, the Cy Young Award, and the AL MVP. In August 2017, Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros, and the move defined the second act of his career — two more Cy Young Awards (2019, 2022), a second World Series title in 2022, and his third career no-hitter in 2019.
After the 2022 season he signed with the New York Mets, was traded back to Houston in 2023, then signed with the San Francisco Giants for 2025. In February 2026, he returned to Detroit on a one-year deal. Through the 2026 season his career on-field earnings had surpassed $411 million — second all-time in MLB history.
Justin Verlander Net Worth
| Net Worth | $200 million (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Income Sources | MLB salaries and contracts, endorsements (Under Armour, Rawlings, Bayer), investments |
Justin Verlander’s net worth is estimated at around $200 million, built almost entirely on his extraordinary baseball earnings. Endorsement deals with brands like Under Armour, Rawlings, and Bayer have added further income on top of his salary.
10 Interesting Facts About Justin Verlander
- He was the second overall pick in the 2004 MLB draft, selected by the Detroit Tigers.
- He is one of the few pitchers ever to throw three no-hitters — in 2007, 2011, and 2019.
- He won the AL MVP in 2011, a feat pitchers accomplish only once every few decades.
- He has more than 3,550 career strikeouts, ranking among the top ten in MLB history.
- His career on-field earnings exceed $411 million, second all-time behind Alex Rodriguez.
- He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 and returned to win the Cy Young Award in 2022 at age 39.
- He married model and actress Kate Upton in Tuscany, Italy, in November 2017, days after winning the World Series.
- His younger brother Ben Verlander also played professional baseball and now works as a baseball analyst.
- As of the 2026 season, he was the oldest active player in Major League Baseball.
- He won World Series championships 12 years apart — 2017 and 2022 — with the Houston Astros.
Conclusion
Justin Verlander’s career is a rare combination of peak dominance and remarkable longevity. From the 2011 MVP season through his Tommy John comeback and a third Cy Young at 39, he has repeatedly rewritten what baseball expects from a veteran ace.
Beyond the statistics, Verlander’s high-profile marriage to Kate Upton and his reputation for professionalism have made him a crossover figure between sports and pop culture. Whether or not he adds more seasons to his already legendary resume, his place in baseball’s Hall of Fame is all but assured.
FAQs About Justin Verlander
1. Who is Justin Verlander?
Justin Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion known for playing with the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants.
2. How old is Justin Verlander in 2026?
Justin Verlander was born on February 20, 1983, making him 43 years old as of October 2026.
3. How tall is Justin Verlander?
Justin Verlander is 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) tall.
4. What is Justin Verlander’s net worth?
Justin Verlander’s net worth is estimated at around $200 million, built mainly on his MLB career earnings of more than $411 million.
5. Who is Justin Verlander’s wife?
Justin Verlander is married to American model and actress Kate Upton. They wed in November 2017 and have a daughter, Genevieve, born in 2018.
6. How many Cy Young Awards has Justin Verlander won?
He has won three Cy Young Awards — in 2011, 2019, and 2022.
7. Which teams has Justin Verlander played for?
The Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants, before returning to Detroit in 2026.
8. How many no-hitters has Justin Verlander thrown?
Three — in 2007 and 2011 with the Tigers and in 2019 with the Astros.
9. When did Justin Verlander make his MLB debut?
He debuted with the Detroit Tigers in July 2005 and was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2006.
10. Has Justin Verlander retired?
As of the 2026 season he was still active, pitching for the Detroit Tigers, where he was the oldest active player in MLB.
Last Updated: October 2026 | Fact-checked by Xposed editorial team