LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Here’s a scary thought for American League batters: Justin Verlander is hoping to improve.
Detroit’s pitchers and catchers began their first workout Monday at spring training, and Verlander was eager to start. The reigning AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner also was celebrating his 29th birthday.
Verlander went 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 2011, a season that also included a no-hitter. The hard-throwing right-hander says “having one great year isn’t going to change anything” about his competitiveness or his work ethic.
Verlander says the Tigers didn’t achieve the “ultimate goal” of a World Series title. They won the AL Central but lost in the championship series to Texas.
