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Justin Verlander (Screenshot photo from Houston Chronicle video)
For baseball fans, I offer this analogy:
Justin Verlander was like a kid living with a Detroit family that couldn't offer what he needed to be all he could be. Then he went to a Houston family full of riches that offers opportunities he couldn't get in Detroit.
On Thursday, Verlander took the win in the Houston Astros' 8-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the first game of the playoffs.
Jenny Dial Creech of the Houston Chronicle writes:
When Justin Verlander walked out onto the field at Minute Maid park to warm up Thursday afternoon, the feeling was immediate.
The electricity of the ballpark before Game 1 of the American League Division Series was palpable.
It didn't matter that Thursday was his 17th career postseason start.
The excitement, the anticipation, the nerves were as strong as they had ever been before.
And the veteran righthander loved every moment of it.
This is why he is here.
And as much as Verlander has brought to the city - from his stellar play since joining the Astros to his charitable giving in the community -- Houston is giving a lot to him.
"Today was just incredible," Verlander said. "It's great to be a part of a town that has embraced us this much."
