Understand this about Verlander: He is, at 29, mellower than in his younger days — on the mound, at least. He usually throws in the low 90s during the early innings. That allows him to establish a consistent delivery — the foundation from which he later ascends to 97, 98, 99 and, yes, 100. The method is rare, but it has helped Verlander become the best pitcher in baseball.
Well, Verlander didn’t use it Tuesday. He didn’t even try. Basically, he had it in his mind that folks in the ballpark — and those watching around the world — wanted to see him throw the baseball as hard as he possibly could. And when that sort of notion germinates in the brain of Justin Brooks Verlander, it brings about a collision of machismo and talent more combustible than July fireworks….
I’ve heard Verlander rationalize after poor starts. That wasn’t the case Tuesday. If anything, his postgame remarks showed that he understands the principle of the All-Star Game. It is meant to showcase the best talents in baseball. It is meant to delight fans, in the stadium and at home. It is meant to humanize stars we see fleetingly the rest of the season.
When he pitches for the Tigers, Verlander’s job is to win. Tuesday, his job was to entertain. And he did that, as much as any pitcher could while saddling his AL teammates with what proved to be an insurmountable deficit.
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1. dr. scott Posted: July 11, 2012 at 11:49 AM (#4180070)If so, he failed miserably, since the entire country shut the game off after the top of the first.
I think he had it in his mind that there was no way he was pitching more than an inning or two.
My buddy watches 90% of the Tigers games at our apt. This is in fact how JV pitches. He has massive talent and doesn't really "go to the well" so to speak, until the middle and later innings, the 2nd and 3rd time through the lineup.
concur with mud. verlander may not have the big fastball every night but instead of going large early and then changing speeds downward verlander mixes in faster pitches
While I can understand his reasoning, I do wish he had mixed it up to show all his skills.
I was more entertained by the knee-buckling curve Verlander threw Votto to strike him out, than all the "impressive" 100 mph fastballs he was leaving up in the zone to get hammered.
I've watched a lot of Tiger games, but I can't confirm the 93 mph in the early innings or the gradual ramp-up. It seems more likely that he hovers around 95, then throws harder late.
It is common, well-documented knowledge that Verlander routinely hits 99 and 100 in the 8th and 9th inning (if he's still in the game). And it's rather impressive.
I also think (but with less certainty) that he rarely hits 98+ in the early innings.
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