Justin Verlander Was Visited By An Old Friend

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander, who will be pitching Game 1 of the 2022 MLB World Series on Friday, was speaking with the media when he was met by an old friend.

Dave Dombrowski, currently the president of baseball operations of the Philadelphia Phillies (the team that will face the Astros in the Fall Classic), stopped by to say hello and shake Verlander’s hand.

Dave Dombrowski, @Phillies president of baseball operations, stops by to say hello to @JustinVerlander during his news conference. pic.twitter.com/QOboAyXvHa

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 27, 2022

The two shared a smile in addition to the handshake: they were on the same side for a long time, but now, they will face off looking for the same trophy.

Dombrowski And Verlander Shared Some Successful Years With The Tigers

Dombrowski is a long-time MLB executive who was with the Detroit Tigers from 2002 to 2015.

Verlander made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2005 and stayed there until he was traded in 2017.

Basically, Dombrowski was in charge of baseball operations during Verlander’s entire Tigers career.

The two men shared some important moments in baseball.

They made the World Series in Detroit in 2006 and 2012, but lost both.

Verlander played two more with the Astros, in 2017 and 2019, winning one and losing the other; while Dombrowski was already successful before his Tigers stint (he won the 1997 World Series with the Florida Marlins) and even after it, taking the Boston Red Sox to the 2018 title.

The two men clearly know how to win, each from his own place: Dombrowski from the office and Verlander from the mound.

Dombrowski has built something special in Philadelphia, while Verlander tries to add another title to his already extensive resume.

In a matter of a week and a half, perhaps even less, we will know which one will be celebrating with his teammates/co-workers on the field.