Justin Verlander’s stint in New York was a flash in the pan, yet the ace calls it a success. He says the team failed, but he found something real in the boroughs. This isn’t just another sad goodbye from a veteran pitcher. It’s a rare look at how a player can love a city even when the record book says otherwise. The Mets went 75-87 in his lone season, a fact that hurts to recall per reports.
The Reality of a Short Run
Verlander knows his stay was brief and he doesn’t sugarcoat the results. He told reporters the season “Didn’t go the way we wanted,” according to reports. The stats back up his gloomy view of the on-field product. He recorded a 3.15 ERA and 81 strikeouts in just 94 â…“ innings. That is a very small sample size for a Hall of Famer. He was traded to the Astros at the deadline for prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. The team didn’t get the long-term anchor they needed.
Most fans would call this a total bust. The club wasted a historic year for Juan Soto. But Verlander sees it differently. He says there were “a lot of things that were sad about it.” Yet he also found joy in the chaos. He built great relationships with the front office and his teammates. He even got to pitch with Max Scherzer again. That chance to rekindle an old friendship meant more to him than the wins.
Falling in Love With New York
The real story here isn’t the trade or the losses. It’s the bond Verlander formed with the city itself. “I really fell in love with the city,” Verlander told reporters a day before his final All-Star Game. He keeps his apartment in the city even though he’s done playing. That is a strong sign of affection. He remembers his daughter “bebopping around the city in her little scooter.” Those are the moments that stick, not the defeats.
Steve Cohen and his wife, Alex, treated the Verlander family well. He calls their relationship “incredible” per reports. This matters because money often ruins these short-term deals. The owner showed him kindness instead of just checking a box. Verlander is retiring after the 2026 season. He will leave the game with fond memories of New York life. He says “It was a cool time for me in my life.”
What This Means for the Future
Verlander’s legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of the 21st century remains safe. His Mets stint didn’t ruin his name. It just added a complex chapter to a long story. The Mets fans might feel bitter about the 2023 season. But they should appreciate that a legend still loves their city. The team needs to find another ace to replace him. Until then, they have this strange but sweet memory.
Did the Mets fail Verlander, or did he just get a taste of something special? He says he “still have my apartment in the city.” That tells you everything you need to know. He isn’t leaving the city behind. He’s taking the memories with him. Fans should take note that sometimes the best connections happen when the plan goes wrong.
