The 2023 season has been a disaster for the New York Mets. They were able to get one positive this season with Justin Verlander.
The future Hall of Famer was not exactly dominant on Sunday. He allowed one run on five hits and a walk over his 5.1 innings, striking out five batters as he threw 103 pitches. However, that performance was good enough for Verlander to earn the victory, the 250th of his career.
Justin Verlander makes history with New York Mets
Verlander extended his lead amongst current players as he is the only active pitcher to reach that milestone. He now holds a 26 win lead over Zack Greinke in second place, a number that is likely to expand further given the Royals’ own putrid season.
He has also further cemented his place in MLB history. Verlander is the 49th pitcher to ever record 250 or more major league wins. He is also one behind an impressive trio in Bob Gibson, CC Sabathia, and Al Spaulding. Gibson and Spaulding are enshrined in Cooperstown; Sabathia may join them as soon as the 2025 ballot. All but eight eligible pitchers ahead of Verlander on that list are in the Hall, with two of those players hindered by PED usage and allegations.
There is no questioning Verlander’s credentials for immortality. He already ranks 27th all time amongst major league pitchers with 79.8 bWAR, is 13th in strikeouts, and ranks in the top 50 in wins, K/9, and WHiP. A nine time All Star, Verlander has won three Cy Young awards, the pitching Triple Crown and AL MVP in 2011, has two World Series rings, and is married to Kate Upton. That is a Hall of Fame resume if ever there was one.
Justin Verlander gave New York Mets fans a reason to smile on Sunday. He may have even more history left in his arm.
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