Former New York Yankees star-turned-broadcaster Alex Rodriguez might have embarrassed himself by saying inaccurate information about Justin Verlander’s career.
During Fox’s Home Run Derby broadcast on Monday, Verlander joined the panel for an interview, where A-Rod said that the 10-time All-Star had been designated for assignment a couple of times. Rodriguez also erred when he said Verlander, who is retiring at the end of this season, was a late draft pick.
“For the young ones that are out there watching, how do you explain being a late draft pick, being designated for assignment a couple times with two different teams, right?” A-Rod asked.
The information was inaccurate, and Verlander quickly rectified that he has never been DFA’d in his entire MLB career. The second pick in the 2004 MLB draft, Verlander has played for the Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.
“Me? You’ve got the wrong notes,” Verlander immediately corrected him.
David Ortiz laughed, and Rodriguez quickly tried to brush it off by saying he was joking.
Fans were also left in splits after A-Rod got it wrong about Verlander’s career.
“AROD has been cringe his entire career,” one fan said.
“Late round pick? He was selected second overall in the draft,” one fan caught another error.
Here are some more reactions:
Justin Verlander On What Separates “Great From Good”
After a bit of banter between the group, Alex Rodriguez asked Justin Verlander his secret behind such a long and successful career.
“I think it’s just the ability to adapt. I think that’s what separates great from good,” Verlander said. “You know, I think a lot of guys are given talent. Not a lot, but you know, some, obviously.”
Verlander was a different breed of pitcher. When most pitchers start to decline in their 30s, the right-hander had great moments.
He won his second Cy Young Award at the age of 36, when he led MLB with 21 wins, threw his third career no-hitter, reached 3,000 strikeouts, and recorded a career-high 300 strikeouts. In 2022, when he turned 39, the ace returned from Tommy John surgery and won his third Cy Young Award with an 18-4 record and a 1.75 ERA. This was the same year that he helped the Astros win the World Series.
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