dpJuly 14, 2026, 5:05 p.m. ET
Awkward things can happen on live TV – something MLB legends Justin Verlander and Alex Rodriguez learned first hand on Monday, July 13.
Despite appearing in just one game this year, the Tigers pitcher and future Hall of Famer is at the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia as a “Legend’s Pick” by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
It’s part of an effort over the last couple of years by MLB to recognize some of the game’s greatest players as the whole league gets together for the Midsummer Classic. The announcement also prompted Verlander to declare he will retire at the end of the 2026 season.
With all that going on, Verlander was booked for the Fox studio team’s live show in Philadelphia before the Home Run Derby on Monday.
It was nothing out of the ordinary at first, with Rodriguez joking about the early days of Verlander’s career when he “stepped into old Yankee Stadium and blew balls right by me.”
“Good memories,” Verlander retorted.
“For you!” Rodriguez countered.
Then it went bad for A-Rod.
“I also look at you as I look at like Tom Brady, [Derek] Jeter, Papi [David Ortiz], Mariano [Rivera],” Rodriguez began. “Guys that have played into their 40s, and doing it at a high level.
“But there are some young ones out there watching, how do you explain, being a late draft pick, being designated for assignment a couple of times with two different teams, right?”
“Me?!?” Verlander questioned.
Both of Rodriguez’s facts were way off.
Verlander was not a late draft pick, as the Tigers picked him No. 2 overall in the 2004 MLB Draft, and he has never been designated for assignment.
“You’ve got the wrong notes,” Verlander said as Rodriguez laughed it off and said, “I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”
It was hard to tell if Rodriguez was in fact joking and delivered it poorly or if he just got the facts wrong, but even his on-set partner and former rival David Ortiz seemed to be confused by it, making a face before laughing uncontrollably.
It was a surprising gaffe from Rodriguez considering how often he and Verlander have faced off. Rodriguez had 40 plate appearances against Verlander and did quite well against him, hitting .314 with four walks and five home runs over the course of his career.
Should we give A-Rod the benefit of the doubt, or does he need to do more homework? Let us know via email.
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at [email protected].
