Twenty-five years. That's how long it had been since a starting pitcher won MVP when Justin Verlander took home the 2011 American League award. The Tigers ace had already won the Cy Young unanimously, and then he did what many said a pitcher couldn't: he beat out the everyday players. Verlander received 13 of the 28 first-place votes and 280 points, finishing ahead of Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and teammate Miguel Cabrera. He led the AL with 24 wins, 250 strikeouts, a 2.40 ERA, 251 innings and a 0.920 WHIP. The page reads: "TAKE A BOW."
This print reproduces the Detroit Free Press Sports section front from Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Verlander is front and center in his home whites, cap on, hand raised to the crowd. Across the top, a "Most Valuable Tigers" lineup traces the franchise's MVPs, from Mickey Cochrane in 1934 through Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Hal Newhouser, Denny McLain and Guillermo Hernandez, ending with Verlander in 2011. The page also includes Mitch Albom's column, "Verlander has prize because he earned it," a By the Numbers box of his league-leading stats, and the top five in the MVP voting.
It's a sharp piece for a Tigers fan's man cave, home office, living room or kid's room, and a thoughtful gift for birthdays, Father's Day or anyone who remembers that dominant 2011 season. Choose from art-only prints, canvas, metal and framed options to fit your space.