http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/03/...anding_tigers.html?blockID=693720&feedID=3701
Can Verlander throw 107 mph?
Paul Sancya/Associated Press
Verlander on the prowl for season encore.
Justin Verlander has had a busy offseason.
The Detroit Tigers ace made an appearance on Conan in January, when he divulged his love for Taco Bell.
This past month, he was featured in two sizzling ads for MLB 2K12, both starring 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model Kate Upton. The most recent one features Verlander pretending to be former ace Randy Johnson, only to be outed then tossed over a human Hulk's shoulder-like ears that hang too low.
Now, Verlander is the first player featured in a new MLB Opening Day commercial, and he's promising big things.
HUGE things, in fact. Verlander says he will throw 107 miles per hour on Opening Day, April 5 at Comerica Park against the Boston Red Sox.
If it was anyone else, the tongue-in-cheek remark could come off as ignorant, arrogant or comedic. The scary thing about Verlander is, you never know.
He is the reigning AL MVP and Cy Young award winner. And, just to stoke the fantastic flame of preseason speculation, Verlander hit 102 mph last year -- in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers.
(The record is 105 mph, held by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman.)
So was the comment tongue-in-cheek or a*wild prediction?
Tune in Opening Day to find out. If anyone can throw a baseball faster than Boston Bruin*Zdeno Chara hits a hockey puck, it's Verlander.
Can Verlander throw 107 mph?
Paul Sancya/Associated Press
Verlander on the prowl for season encore.
Justin Verlander has had a busy offseason.
The Detroit Tigers ace made an appearance on Conan in January, when he divulged his love for Taco Bell.
This past month, he was featured in two sizzling ads for MLB 2K12, both starring 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model Kate Upton. The most recent one features Verlander pretending to be former ace Randy Johnson, only to be outed then tossed over a human Hulk's shoulder-like ears that hang too low.
Now, Verlander is the first player featured in a new MLB Opening Day commercial, and he's promising big things.
HUGE things, in fact. Verlander says he will throw 107 miles per hour on Opening Day, April 5 at Comerica Park against the Boston Red Sox.
If it was anyone else, the tongue-in-cheek remark could come off as ignorant, arrogant or comedic. The scary thing about Verlander is, you never know.
He is the reigning AL MVP and Cy Young award winner. And, just to stoke the fantastic flame of preseason speculation, Verlander hit 102 mph last year -- in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers.
(The record is 105 mph, held by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman.)
So was the comment tongue-in-cheek or a*wild prediction?
Tune in Opening Day to find out. If anyone can throw a baseball faster than Boston Bruin*Zdeno Chara hits a hockey puck, it's Verlander.
