On Saturday, Sept 26, at 3:02 PM Eastern Standard Time, Justin Verlander completed his last start for the Detroit Tigers.
His career spanned 21 years and included 3 Cy Young Awards, 2 World Series Championships, an MVP award, a triple crown, and 10 all star games.
As a lifelong Tigers fan, I have many vivid memories of skipping college courses to watch Verlander pitch live at Comerica Park. He was spectacular. He competed with fierce intensity and deep joy. He loved the game of baseball and he loved it hard.
Normally in baseball, the team’s manager comes to the mound to take the ball from the pitcher. But in this instance, Verlander’s 7-year-old daughter, Genevieve, came out to walk him off the mound.
It doesn’t matter if you are a baseball or fan or not, if you are a person with a pulse this moment will rock you.
The entire stadium honoring the occasion. Verlander’s catcher, Dylan Dingler, there to support him the entire time in his full gear with the camera on his back—as if a catcher would want it any other way. His teammates, one by one, saying their goodbyes. And of course, young Genevieve, hanging on to her dad tight, as if to say, Now you are coming with me, Dad.
Hang this scene in the Louvre.
Verlander has been playing baseball since he was five. By any measure, he’s one of the best pitchers in the modern era of the game. He’s also a world-class person. He’s thoughtful; he’s kind; he’s been charitable to countless causes throughout this career.
“I don’t think anybody’s goal is to be mediocre. I think everybody should want to be the best,” says Verlander. “I feel like I ran my race. I gave it everything I had.”
Shortly after the game, which the Tigers won thanks to a walk-off home run (the Sports Gods were good that day), Verlander was asked about the gravity of the moment, and what he’ll tell his daughter about it when she’s older.
“You commit your life to something. I’ve been a baseball player since I was five years old. I gave everything for this. I left home and she’s in school and I wasn’t there,” he said, breaking down into tears again. “There’s just a level of commitment it takes to be great at something and I hope she understands she means the world to me. My family means the world to me. I’m just happy that… I’m happy I get the opportunity now to make up for lost time.”
Verlander’s final start was so moving because it captured the commitment, the sacrifice, the tradeoffs, the fears, the joys, the regrets—all the complexity involved in the pursuit of greatness, in giving something your all, and in trying to do it the right way. It also captured the seasonality to life that each and every one of us must face, whether we participate in sports or not.
Shortly after the game ended, my phone was exploding with text massages from friends, colleagues, and people in sports all saying THIS…This is what you are getting at in The Way of Excellence.
They are right. So I am going to quote a bit from the book:
The things that you care about are the things that break your heart are the things that fill your life with meaning and joy.
When you hold yourself back because you fear failure or looking ‘uncool,’ you sacrifice growth and potential (and mastery and fulfillment and richness and love and all the other good stuff in life) for short-term safety and comfort.
It’s a trap. Get over it.
The best athletes care deeply.
The best artists care deeply.
The best leaders care deeply.
The best coaches care deeply.
The best teachers care deeply.
The best doctors care deeply.
The best writers care deeply.
The best scientists care deeply.
The best parents care deeply.Caring deeply is the cost of admission to a big and textured life.
The world doesn’t need more mediocrity or going through the motions. The world needs more people putting themselves out there and giving it their all. The world needs more people who have the guts to care.
Fear and insecurity are part of human nature. You can either go through the motions and be superficially cool (but actually boring). Or you can step into the arena, lay it on the line, care deeply, make yourself vulnerable, and fully live your one and only life.
Try hard and give a damn.
The pursuit of excellence is not about hacks, secrets, or fads. It’s not about robotic optimization. It’s deeply felt. It’s about heart and soul. It’s about love.
Justin Verlander is the consummate example.
P.s., If you found this post resonant you’ll love the book.
Get The Way of Excellence here.
Failed. Crying like a baby. Thank you sharing this. Well written and well received. 🙏
Verlander saying he's happy to finally make up for lost time with his daughter is likely what many in his position realize. Professional athlete or a corporate America professional. Similarities in this regard. Commitment has a cost, and if one has a family, it typically impacts that greatly.