Verlander Thanks Detroit Tigers Fans and Calls Trade 'Hardest Decision of My Life'

Justin Verlander: "I couldn't be more excited." (Photo from Instagram video)

Tigers pitching ace Justin Verlander thanks Detroiters on Instagram Friday afternoon with a video (below). He says accepting the trade to Houston was the "hardest decision in my life."

His contract let him reject a trade, but he agreed late Thursday night.

His post says:

Thank you to Detroit for an incredible 13-seasons, a city that will always be important to me.

But now I couldn’t be more excited to join the Astros and am looking forward to getting started right away.

I am committed to making an impact off the field, especially during such difficult times. My Foundation, Wins for Warriors, will continue to do the great work we have started in Detroit, but will also expand to Houston effective immediately and get involved with aiding the #HurricaneHarvey disaster relief efforts.

 

Thank you to Detroit for an incredible 13-seasons, a city that will always be important to me. But now I couldn’t be more excited to join the Astros and am looking forward to getting started right away. I am committed to making an impact off the field, especially during such difficult times. My Foundation, Wins for Warriors, will continue to do the great work we have started in Detroit, but will also expand to Houston effective immediately and get involved with aiding the #HurricaneHarvey disaster relief efforts. @winsforwarriors

A post shared by Justin Verlander (@justinverlander) on

Sep 1, 2017 at 1:00pm PDT