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Justin Verlanderhas his biggest cheerleaders supporting him.
“She just stopped, looking at the screen, and said, ‘Daddy, that’s you!’ "
Verlander opened up about what a different experience it has been attending his fifth All-Star Game, as it’s the first one with his family, noting, “I think this time, it’s something I want to experience with my family and specifically with my daughter.”
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In 2019, the Houston Astros pitcher talked to PEOPLE abouthow fatherhood has impacted his career plans.
“I would like to be able to play long enough that my daughter can see me and remember me playing baseball when she grows older,” he explained. “Maybe if anything, it’s going to push me to stay in shape and stay healthy, and be a good pitcher as long as I possibly can. I want her to be able to remember me on the field.”
That said, Verlander doesn’t expect his little girl to follow in his footsteps with the sport.
“She can be her own woman,” he said. “I’m not going to be putting any pressure on her. She can do what she wants and I’m excited to see. She’s got her whole life ahead of her. I can’t even picture what. … We can all sit here and speculate, it’s fun. She’s got big hands so maybe she’ll play the piano, I don’t know! Possibilities are endless.”
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In 2018, the ace pitcher talked toBleacher Reportabout his relationship with Upton, and how she helped to guide him through his public and private struggles as an athlete. The two began dating in 2014 as Verlander worked to recover from an injury he feared would result in the end of his career.
“I don’t like to talk to people about being hurt,” Verlander said. “As athletes, you’re not supposed to… But [Upton] was someone I could talk to. I mean, basically a therapist. Somebody I could trust with… worries about my career. Worries about,Can I make it?Worries about what I’m going through to get back.”
source: people.com
