When former Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander reflected on the 2016 American League Cy Young Award race, he recalled a surprising social‑media moment involving model Kate Upton. The former pitcher, now a Hall of Fame inductee, shared the story on the “On Base with Mookie Betts” podcast, describing how he discovered the tweet only after it had already been posted.
How the tweet unfolded
Verlander said the incident occurred while he was appearing on MLB Network with the three finalists for the award. “I was doing MLB Network, they had the three finalists on the air, and as soon as it came out, she was firing,” he told host Mookie Betts. He added that after the interview wrapped, he headed downstairs and saw Upton’s message, which read, “Hey @MLB I thought I was the only person allowed to f— @JustinVerlander ?! What 2 writers didn’t have him on their ballot?”
Upton’s reaction to the close race
The tweet was a direct response to Verlander’s narrow loss to Boston Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello, who edged him out by five points in the voting. Upton, who had already appeared on two Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers by that time, used the platform to voice her disappointment and to call for transparency from the writers who voted.
Verlander’s perspective
According to Verlander, he was unaware of the social‑media attack until it was already in progress. “She was several tweets in when I found out about it,” he said. He also mentioned that Upton had a pre‑written tweet ready to go, but he asked her to “lower her weapons” before it could be posted.
Public response and legacy
The incident quickly became a talking point among baseball fans and media outlets, highlighting the growing influence of athletes’ spouses and partners on the sport’s public discourse. While some critics viewed the tweet as an over‑reaction, others saw it as a passionate defense of a beloved player.
What the 2016 Cy Young race looked like
The 2016 award was one of the closest in recent memory. Verlander, then with the Detroit Tigers, posted a 19‑8 record with a 3.20 ERA, while Porcello recorded a 22‑4 mark with a 3.05 ERA for the Red Sox. The voting margin—five points—underscored how competitive the season had been for both pitchers.
Looking back
Ten years later, the tweet remains a memorable footnote in the story of that Cy Young race. Verlander’s candid recollection offers a glimpse into how personal relationships intersect with professional sports, especially in an era where social media amplifies every reaction.
For fans of baseball and followers of Verlander’s storied career, the episode serves as a reminder of the intense emotions that can accompany award season—and the unexpected ways they can surface.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
