Justin Verlander and Kate Upton's last All-Star red carpet
Justin Verlander and Kate Upton made what is likely their final MLB All-Star red carpet appearance together on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. The Detroit Tigers legend appeared at Independence Mall as an All-Star Game Legend Pick before retiring after this season, closing a future Hall of Fame career that began when he debuted as a 22-year-old in 2005.
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Key Takeaways
- Verlander, Upton and their children attended the 2026 MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show at Independence Mall ahead of the game at Citizens Bank Park.
- MLB honored the 43-year-old as a Legend Pick while he plans to retire at the end of the 2026 season.
- On the carpet, Verlander said little would change his retirement decision and that he wants to get healthy in the second half.
- ESPN noted McGonigle was not yet one year old when Verlander debuted in 2005.
- OutKick said the couple earned one last spotlight before Verlander likely heads toward Cooperstown.
Why did Justin Verlander and Kate Upton walk the All-Star red carpet in Philadelphia?
Tuesday at Independence Mall marked a ceremonial capstone for one of baseball's most famous couples. Verlander attended as an All-Star Game Legend Pick while calling it a career at the end of the season, according to Fox News/OutKick.
Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander appeared with his wife, Kate Upton, and their children at the red carpet show on July 14, 2026, photo coverage from The Detroit News showed. The event preceded the Midsummer Classic later that night at Citizens Bank Park.
Fox News reported this is likely the last time the pair will walk the All-Star red carpet while Verlander remains on an active MLB roster. Upton has joined him at previous carpet shows in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Cleveland.
What did Verlander say about retirement on the red carpet?
The future Hall of Famer pushed back on comeback talk while cameras rolled in Philadelphia. When asked what it would take to keep him from calling it quits, Verlander replied, "I don't know if there's much you can do at this point."
He credited Detroit teammate Tarik Skubal for joking that the best pitchers always come back. Verlander played along briefly, then pointed to his health. "Sure. Here we are at the All-Star Break and I can't get healthy and pitch," he said, adding that he hopes to pitch in the second half.
At 43, Verlander acknowledged baseball belongs to a younger generation now. Stars like Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne, Brandon Marsh and Corbin Carroll drew much of the carpet spotlight. His focus is getting healthy before riding off into the sunset.
How does Verlander's 2005 MLB debut connect to this All-Star farewell?
ESPN looked back at how different the league was when Verlander broke in. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2011 AL MVP made just two July starts in 2005, going 0-2 while allowing 15 hits and nine earned runs combined.
One batter he faced in that debut stretch was future Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who went 0-for-2 against him. Verlander has since pitched in 556 career games across two decades, ESPN reported.
Current Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle was still about a month shy of his first birthday when Verlander debuted. Among notable 2005 debutants including Robinson Cano, Felix Hernandez and Nelson Cruz, Verlander will be the last to leave the big leagues.
What comes next for Justin Verlander and Kate Upton?
Verlander's Legend Pick selection followed his announcement that this season would be his last in the big leagues. OutKick noted the three-time Cy Young winner and 2011 AL MVP is focused on finishing strong with Detroit before stepping away.
OutKick said Verlander and Upton deserved one last red carpet moment, and that baseball will likely see them in Cooperstown in a few years. For now, the spotlight shifts to a younger class walking the same carpet.