Kate Upton joined Justin Verlander and their children on the red carpet Tuesday night in Philadelphia for what marked the right-handed pitcher's final Major League Baseball All-Star Game appearance. The family's presence underscored the personal significance of the event for Verlander, who recently announced his retirement from professional baseball.
Verlander, 43, wore a blue suit with a white shirt and sunglasses, while Upton, 34, opted for a white off-the-shoulder dress with gold heels and sunglasses. Their daughter Genevieve, born in 2018, wore a white two-piece set, and their son, Bellamy, was dressed in brown overalls.
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The family's joint appearance came shortly after Verlander shared his retirement announcement on social media. In his statement, Verlander expressed gratitude for the honor of being selected to his 10th All-Star team, calling it a special moment for him and his family. He explained that his decision to retire was driven by his competitive standards, stating that he would continue playing as long as he could perform at the level he expected of himself.
"This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally," Verlander wrote. "I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come."
He specifically thanked Upton for her unwavering support throughout his career, from every season and rehab stint to all the highs and lows. "To my family, especially my wife Kate [Upton], thank you for standing beside me through every season, every rehab, and every high and low," he said. "I couldn’t have done this without you. It’s time for the next chapter. But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how — with everything I’ve got."
Verlander and Upton met in 2012 while filming a commercial and became engaged in 2016. They married on November 4, 2017, shortly after Verlander won the World Series with the Houston Astros. Their daughter Genevieve was born just three days after their first wedding anniversary in 2018.
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Verlander's final season has been significantly impacted by injuries, with only one start recorded for the Detroit Tigers, the team that originally drafted him in 2004. Despite not playing in the All-Star Game due to a lingering hamstring injury, he participated in the pre-game festivities at Citizens Bank Park, soaking in the atmosphere for what he described as his final time as a player.
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