

Tigers pitcher Phil Coke, left, and catcher Alex Avila celebrate the Tigers' 4-2 win over the Twins on Monday in Minneapolis. / Jim Mone, AP

MINNEAPOLIS - The man gets a new $180-million contract and figures he can pitch five innings and call it a day.

"I get paid big and then I start getting soft," Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander joked Monday following, amazingly, his first Opening Day victory.

Not exactly a minimalist when it comes to his profession, Verlander admittedly was out of his comfort zone seeking something to occupy his time after manager Jim Leyland pulled him after 91 pitches in a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. He's accustomed to going seven innings on an off night.

But the cold weather made the decision for him.

Leyland and pitching coach Jeff Jones decided before the Tigers' season opener against the Twins that Verlander wouldn't throw much more than 90 pitches. It's not only the first game of the season, but it was unbearably cold.

The game-time temperature was 35 degrees. Players wore hoods under their caps and helmets to keep warm. Torii Hunter spread petroleum jelly all over his arms, saying it closed pores, thus containing body heat. Normally an advocate of short sleeves even in temperatures cooler than normal, Verlander opted for the long sleeves on this occasion.

Explain to me again why the state of Minnesota was adamant about building an open-air baseball stadium?

"To me, it was a no-brainer, not letting him go past 90 pitches in this kind of weather," Leyland said. "I'm not going to do anything silly. There's no question in my mind that was the best move to make for the Tigers' organization, for Justin Verlander and for the team. It's the first game of the season. For me, it was a no-brainer. He's a little more secure than I am, but I'm going to make the decisions."

It was interesting that there were more than a few disappointing jeers from the Target Field crowd when Verlander didn't return for the bottom of the sixth inning.

And they weren't Tiger fans.

They were Twins' fans apparently upset that Verlander was finished even though he had blanked their team, scattering three harmless hits and striking out seven. It didn't matter that the Twins were unsuccessful against him. They still wanted to see as much of Verlander as possible because he has become one of the handful of appointment-viewing superstars on the road - even when he's making the hometown hitters look silly.

"I understand why they pulled me," Verlander said. "That didn't stop me from fighting it for a little bit. That's just my nature. But you appreciate that they've got your best interests in mind. It is the first game of a long season, and it was very, very cold out there. Why take any chances?"

It looked a little dicey For a while Monday, it looked like the Tigers' bullpen might blow the latest chance for Verlander to record his first Opening Day win. Remember how Jose Valverde lost the lead in the top of the ninth last year at Comerica Park?

But the late-inning bullpen by committee did its job.

Leyland is the only manger Verlander has known in what's now the beginning of his eighth season in the majors. has been Verlander's manager since his rookie-of-the-year season in 2006, and he has missed only one start in that time those seven-plus seasons.

"I didn't miss it," Verlander interjects.

OK, Leyland rested him for one game in August 2006, believing that the rookie was tiring because he was unaccustomed to the grind of a long season. Verlander's adamant. He has never once asked to miss a start. The man simply could be one of those athletic freaks who incredibly defy the physical erosion over time and excessive wear. But that $180-million contract extension he signed last week - making him the richest pitcher in major league history - also is a testament to how adroitly Leyland has handled him.

Drew Sharp is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press

Copyright 2014

Read the original story: Verlander jokes that he is 'soft' after five inning outing


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