Justin Verlander's trade to Astros ends an era in Detroit

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander acknowledges the crowd after throwing a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Saturday, May 7, 2011. This was Verlander's second career no-hitter.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has water thrown on him after throwing a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Saturday, May 7, 2011. Verlander had a perfect game going into the eighth inning. He walked J.P. Arencibia with one out in the eighth.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander celebrates in the locker room after the Tigers advanced to the World Series by defeating the New York Yankees in game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park in Detroit, October 18, 2012.

Justin Verlander snarls while he delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in Game three of the 2013 ALCS series.

A young Justin Verlander watches a game from the dugout at Comerica Park in 2006.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander walks past the fan access area on his way to have his picture taken for the Tigers annual spring training photo day at Tiger Town in Lakeland, Florida on Saturday, February 24, 2007.

Justin Verlander's very public dating relationship with model Kate Upton, seen here at the 2016 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles in 2016 brought a little bit of glamour to the sports landscape in Detroit. The couple is now engaged.

Tigers owner Mike Ilitch pumps his fist as he congratulates Tigers ace pitcher Justin Verlander during the clubhouse celebration after the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game Five of the ALDS to advance to face the Texas Rangers in the ALCS.on October 6, 2011.

Tigers ace Justin Verlander, winner of Game Three, puffs a cigar during the clubhouse celebration with his girlfriend Emily Yuen after the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game Five of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York on Thursday, October 6, 2011.

Tigers ace Justin Verlander puffs a cigar in the visitors clubhouse at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx after the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game Five of the ALDS to advance to face the Texas Rangers in the 2011 ALCS.

Tigers' pitcher Justin Verlander waves to the crowd after throwing a shut-out and almost no-hitter in the ninth inning against the Angels on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Justin Verlander celebrates a sweep of the New York Yankees and a trip to the World Series in 2012.

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland gets pitcher Justin Verlander laughing at Spring Training in Lakeland in 2006.

Covered in something like whip cream Justin Verlander waves to the Comerica Park crowd after pitching a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007.

Justin Verlander waves to the fans as the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees in game 4 of the ALCS to advance to the 2012 World Series.

Justin Verlander gets rocked in a game one World Series loss to the San Francisco Giants in 2012.

Justin Verlander clowns with Miguel Cabrera's hat during an interview as the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees to advance to the 2012 World Series.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander delivers the first pitch of Game 3 of the 2013 ALCS, a strike to Red Sox batter Jacoby Ellsbury, at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander draws a crowd of admiring young fans during a 2007 spring training game in Lakeland Florida.

Tiger starting pitcher Justin Verlander pitches against the Kansas City Royals in 2011.

(caption) Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander laughs as skipper Jim Leyland relays a joke he told during his press conference earlier in the day. Leyland told reporters that a professor from an un-named New York college told messaged him that he should start Jose Valverde, pitch him five innnings, then have Verlander finish the game. *** Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister faces New York Yankees rookie starter Ivan Nova in the winner-take-all Game 5 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Photos taken on Thursday, October 6, 2011. ( John T. Greilick / The Detroit News )

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, know for his love of sports cars, looks over a 1951 Le Sabre Concept two seater convertable at the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan on January 22, 2016.

Justin Verlander poses on photo day at spring training in 2016.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander jokes around with Lions mascot Roary on the sidelines before a Lions game at Ford Field in 2016.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander works in the fourth inning. Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Angels of Annaheim at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 26, 2016.

From right, J.J. MacDonald, 8, and Mary Jane Vance, 9, both of Taylor cheer after they participate in a dance off with Tigers' Justin Verlander during the Tigers Winter Caravan event at Clarenceville High School in Livonia, Mich. on Jan. 19, 2017.

Detroit starting pitcher Justin Verlander waits to be introduced during his final home opener at Comerica Park, in Detroit, April 7, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on June 27, 2017.

Supermodel and actress Kate Upton and her fiancee Justin Verlander try on Marine rucksacks and helmets after a 'Marine Week' workout for Kate at the Wayne State University football field in Detroit, Michigan on August 22, 2017.

Tigers players including Justin Verlander on left, mob pitch hitter Don Kelly after he hit sacrifice fly to break a tie and beat Oakland in game 2 of the ALDS at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on October 7, 2012.

Tigers ace Justin Verlander rears back to throw a 91-mph strike to Red Sox lead off batter Jacoby Ellsbury for the first pitch of the 2012 baseball season.

Tigers Opening Day starter Justin Verlander strikes out Red Sox batter Ryan Sweeney in the seventh inning. Verlander pitched eight scoreless innings, striking out seven while allowing just two hits and a walk at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 5, 2012.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander tips his cap to the fans after pitching eight innings allowing one hit against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 9, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander pitches in a game with the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on May 20, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander on Tigers photo day at Tigertown in Lakeland, Fla. on Feb. 19, 2017.

Tigers' Justin Verlander presents Michael Fulmer with the Rookie of the Year award before the game at Comerica Park in Detroit on April 11, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park in Detroit on April 27, 2017.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, left, talks with pitcher Justin Verlander in the eighth inning in the game with the White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on April 29, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander takes batting practice before the game in preparation for his upcoming start in Arizona. Photos taken at Comerica Park in Detroit on May 3, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander heads to the dugout during the game with the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on May 20, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, congratulates Alex Avila after Avila makes a catch in foul territory to end the top of the seventh inning in the game with the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on May 20, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander congratulates Miguel Cabrera, right, after his three-run home run in the third inning with the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on June 27, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works in the fifth inning with the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on June 27, 2017.

Tigers center fielder Mikie Mahtook is congratulated by Justin Verlander, right, after Mahtook made a catch to end the top of the fifth inning with the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on June 27, 2017.

From right, Tigers pitchers Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer and Jordan Zimmermann in the second inning with the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on July 26, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works in the third inning with the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park in Detroit on May 20, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, in the dugout in the seventh inning with the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on July 26, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 9, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander in the dugout in the fourth inning of the game with the Houston Astros at Comerica Park in Detroit on July 29, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works in the fourth inning in the game with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 9, 2017.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works in the fifth inning in the game with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 9, 2017.