Justin Verlander has returned to the mound after briefly stepping away from baseball to celebrate and reflect upon a major personal milestone: the birth of his second child with wife Kate Upton.
The San Francisco Giants pitcher described the experience of welcoming his newborn son as “really incredible,” expressing gratitude for the health and happiness of his growing family.
“Just an amazing, amazing time,” Verlander said on Tuesday, June 24 following the Giants’ 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins. “Everybody’s home, happy, healthy. All I can ask for.”
Verlander, 42, and Upton, 33, welcomed their son, Bellamy Brooks, on June 19, according to a representative for Upton who confirmed the news to TMZ. The couple also share a daughter, Genevieve, born in November 2018.
The veteran pitcher and Upton first met in 2012 during a commercial shoot for the video game “MLB 2K12.” They confirmed their relationship publicly the following year, briefly separated, and later reunited, becoming engaged in 2016.
They married in November 2017 shortly after Verlander won his first World Series title with the Houston Astros, which fans will remember as highly controversial due to the trash can/stealing signs scandal.
“Having a 6-and-a-half-year-old, knowing the journey that’s ahead of me, it’s really incredible and I’m really looking forward to reliving some of those times,” Verlander added, reflecting on the joy and anticipation that comes with re-entering the early stages of parenthood.
The professional baseball player was placed on the paternity list for three days and missed the Giants’ weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, time that offered him the opportunity to be present with his family during the crucial early days after his son’s birth.
Verlander aims to kick on with Giants in 2025
While Verlander’s career has been nothing short of historic-with accolades including nine All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards, an American League MVP, and two World Series championships-his 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants has been difficult.
Since signing a one-year, $15 million deal in the offseason, he has struggled to regain the form that once made him one of the most dominant pitchers in the league and currently holds an 0-5 record with a 4.52 ERA over 61 2/3 innings through 12 starts.
Unfortunately, is return from paternity leave on Tuesday did not mark a turning point. He allowed three earned runs over five innings against the Marlins, taking the loss in a game where the Giants’ offense could not provide enough support.
Verlander is next slated to pitch Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, where he will seek his first win of the season and will aim to draw upon the strength of his family life to offer him renewed focus.
Read the full article here
