Detroit Tigers legend Justin Verlander has been in the news after announcing his decision to retire at the end of the season in a social media post earlier this month.
Following his decision, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred named him the legend pick for this year’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Verlander arrived at the All-Star festivities with his wife, Kate Upton, and their two children on Tuesday.
The MLB icon and the Sports Illustrated model attended ESPN’s 2026 ESPYs a day later on Wednesday. Verlander and Upton were among the athletes, musicians and Hollywood stars at the annual sports awards show at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York.
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Apart from Verlander and Upton, several high-profile individuals like Stephen and Ayesha Curry, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens, Chloe Kim and Myles Garrett attended the event this year.
Kim presented Garrett with the best record-breaking performance award after the NFL defensive end’s historic 23-sack season with the Cleveland Browns last year.
Justin Verlander reportedly met Red Sox legend David Ortiz at ESPYs
Comedian Marcello Hernandez hosted the ESPN’s annual award show and he was interacting with Tigers ace Justin Verlander at the event. Verlander greeted Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz, who was seated in the first row at the event.
Although the three-time Cy Young winner’s 2026 season has been interrupted by a hamstring injury, he is likely to join Ortiz in the MLB Hall of Fame after his retirement.
Edited by Chaitanya Prakash