Did Astros players stop Justin Verlander first pitch ceremony in its tracks?

Houston Astros players told management they didn’t want Justin Verlander to throw out the first pitch against the White Sox, according to a sports radio host.

Justin Verlander hasn’t pitched for the Astros since July 24, 2020. He may have had the opportunity to take the mound ahead of Game 1 of the ALDS against the White Sox, in a ceremonial role, at least. His teammates apparently nixed that idea.

“Justin Verlander was supposed to throw out the first pitch with Mattress Mac but the players went to Crane and told him they didn’t want him to because he hasn’t been there all year. No reason to spotlight him now,” John Granato of ESPN 97.5 Houston tweeted.

It’s very much a rumor at this point. No reliable sources or beat writers have verified the story.

If it’s true, who is in the right here?

Astros rumors: Drama with Justin Verlander seems petty

Verlander underwent Tommy John surgery and has been undergoing the long recovery for that procedure. It seems a bit petty for the Astros to shut him out from getting an ovation from fans considering he led their World Series charge in 2017.

The issue appears to stem from Verlander’s approach to his rehab. Granato elaborated on Twitter that the pitcher has stayed away from the team for the last year.

“He didn’t stop by for a year and a half while he was making $66M and then he’s gonna get all kinds of love before the playoffs the other guys worked their ass off to get to? Nah,” Granato wrote.

Maybe Verlander should have done more to be present for the team during his recovery. Still, he literally won a World Series for the franchise. The attention for every other minute of the postseason will be on the team that brought them to this point. One appearance by an injured pitcher for a ceremonial first pitch was never going to detract from that.