The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit publication paid a special tribute to model Kate Upton on Tuesday following the Major League Baseball retirement of her husband, veteran pitcher Justin Verlander. The announcement came closely on the heels of Verlander’s final career start for the Detroit Tigers, marking the conclusion of a storied 21-season career in professional baseball.
Verlander, a 43-year-old right-hander and three-time Cy Young Award winner, made his final career appearance on the mound throwing 5 1/3 innings. During the outing, he allowed two earned runs and recorded six strikeouts. In a deeply emotional moment during his final start, his 7-year-old daughter, Genevieve, walked onto the field to remove him from the game. Detroit ultimately secured a walk-off victory in the ninth inning thanks to a two-run home run by Eduardo Valencia.
Marking the End of an Era with a Retrospective Tribute
To honor the conclusion of Verlander’s legendary career, the official Sports Illustrated Swimsuit social media channels shared a retrospective post featuring Upton’s striking 2024 cover photoshoot. Upton, a four-time cover model for the prominent magazine, has shared a high-profile journey alongside Verlander through World Series titles, Cy Young campaigns, and rigorous injury rehabilitations.
Verlander officially confirmed his retirement after battling an injury-plagued final season. Reflecting on his departure from the sport, the veteran pitcher opened up about having his entire family-including Upton and their 15-month-old son, Bellamy, alongside Genevieve-join him on the field for his final walk off the diamond.
A Family Farewell on the Field
During a subsequent television appearance on Good Morning America, Verlander described the overwhelming emotions of his final weekend in a Tigers uniform. Having his family step onto the dirt to greet him provided a powerful bookend to more than two decades in the major leagues.
“To have her run out there and to be able to embrace her at the end of my career is just like, I couldn’t imagine a better scenario,” Verlander shared regarding his daughter’s surprise appearance. He also emphasized the collective support of his wife, noting how essential Upton has been throughout the highs and lows of his professional timeline.
As Verlander transitions toward a near-certain future in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, tributes from cultural touchstones like Sports Illustrated Swimsuit underscore the enduring intersection of sports and celebrity life.
