Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander finally got his first World Series ring after the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in game 7 on Tuesday night.
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Speaking to ESPN immediately after the win, Verlander said, "I mean, it's everything I could've ever imagined."
Justin Verlander on ESPN: "On that night I said yes, this is what I envisioned." pic.twitter.com/LHMvWnmwOn
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 2, 2017
"This is, no words man. This is unbelievable. I'm so glad to be a part of this. On that night I said yes, this is what I envisioned. I'm extremely lucky to be here," Verlander added.
He is talking about the last minute decision in September to accept the trade from the Tigers to the Astros.
Verlander was a key component to the Astros' championship, including two major wins in the American League Championship series that sent the team to the World Series.
"I knew I had a chance to come in," Verlander said.
He was up in the bullpen near the end of the game, but eventually never made it into the game.
"We were down in the bullpen just saying, 'let it ride.' I mean what a great job, what a great all around effort to get to this point," he added.
Verlander said the teammates and the entire organization made him feel like he was home when he came to the city while speaking on the Fox Sports 1 postgame show.
"I saw that this team could win baseball games in so many different ways," Verlander said. "Defense, offense, pitching, baserunning. That's what stuck out to me the most."
The postgame crew asked Verlander what he told the team during game 2 when the Dodgers came back, after seeing him pumping up the team.
"My only message was, 'let's go.' We're here in the World Series, we have the best team, we have the best offense, don't let this go," he added.
The Tigers also offered up their congratulations to Verlander, tweeting, "For someone who has earned several honors over his career, we know this one is special. Congrats @JustinVerlander."
