Anthony Fenech

Detroit Free Press

CLEVELAND – To Jack Morris, it’s simple.

The Detroit Tigers’ former right-handed ace was asked what he saw differently out of current right-handed ace Justin Verlander this past season. Morris said, “He did a better job of pitching this year. He’s becoming more of a pitcher and less of a thrower.”

Verlander reclaimed his fame of being one of the best pitchers in the major leagues this season, compiling a 16-9 record, 3.04 ERA and 1.001 WHIP. Verlander led the American League with 254 strikeouts and finished second with 2272/3 innings pitched and in ERA. He should finish high in AL Cy Young Award balloting, which is scheduled to be released on Nov. 16.

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Morris spoke of a light-bulb going off, one that forces an evolution as pitchers age. Verlander will pitch next season at age 34.

“I kind of knew it would,” Morris said. “You start losing a little bit, and you’re forced to adjust or you disappear. And when you’re forced to adjust, he started making adjustments and for the good.

“Justin’s got a great change-up. He’s got a great curveball, and he started going to it early in the counts and he was pacing himself, so he still had that high velocity late in the game. All the things that you had hoped he’d do earlier when he didn’t have to think.”

Verlander’s success was equal parts good health and great preparation. He was once again able to live off his four-seam fastball and anchored the Tigers’ rotation in earnest, advancing through the early stage of evolution just like Morris did in the late 1980s.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!