Ex-manager Jim Leyland's thoughts on Giants' Justin Verlander? ‘I was impressed'

San Francisco Chronicle​

2 days ago

PITTSBURGH — Hall of Famer manager Jim Leyland, a legend in Pittsburgh and Detroit, stopped by PNC Park on Tuesday to say hello to his former starter, Justin V erlander, and former minor-leaguer Bob Melvin, plus chat a bit with Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey.
Leyland managed Verlander, now 42, with the Tigers when Verlander was 23 to 30. Verlander was Rookie of the Year during Leyland's first season in Detroit, was an All-Star six times, and won the 2011 MVP award and the first of his Cy Young awards under Leyland.
There are few who know Verlander better, so when Leyland weighed in on Verlander's terrific outing Monday against the Pirates, it meant a little extra.
'I was impressed,' Leyland told the Chronicle before the Giants' game against the Pirates. 'Justin had that 98 mph in the tank when he needed it, that was good to see, and he looks in great shape.
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'He's just got one of those arms, and he's always had strong legs — he was thinner when he was younger, but he had those strong legs like Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens. He still does.'
Pirates catcher Joey Bart, who was on the other end facing those 98 mph fastballs, said after the game he was glad he hadn't faced Verlander in his prime.
Leyland said that managing such a talent in those days 'was pretty easy. You'd just write his name in there and expect seven (innings) for sure, and I always watched who pitched the day before him because I knew I could use my bullpen if I wanted to. It was a treat to watch him every five days, Justin was so good. He had three overpowering pitches, the changeup, curveball, fastball. The slider came a little bit later.'
He isn't surprised a bit that Verlander is still at work, the oldest player in U.S. pro sports.
'It's that competitive nature, that's what's extended his career,' Leyland said. 'He's a very proud guy, and he's a winner. There's no question he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer.'
Another of Leyland's longtime players, the most talented he ever had, is also in that category, and yet he remains outside looking in: Leyland managed Barry Bonds the entire time Bonds was in Pittsburgh.
Leyland wants to see Bonds with him and, eventually, Verlander, in the Hall, something that's now in the hands of the Contemporary Eras committee, along with Clemens' candidacy. Both men were tied to steroid usage through court cases.
'Everyone knows Barry should be in the Hall of Fame,' Leyland said. 'I mean, that's a slam dunk. You just never know how people are going to vote. Both of them picked up votes from writers along the way, but I don't know who will be on this next committee. If they went off the numbers, he'd be in already, there's no question. That's how I always answer it.'
Briefly: Left-hander Erik Miller (elbow) will pitch in a rehab game on Friday and then be reevaluated; Miller had thought he'd need at least two outings in the minors before returning. … Starter Landen Roupp (elbow) threw to hitters Tuesday and will throw a bullpen session later in the week. If he comes out of all of that well, he's likely to throw in a rehab game later in the week or early next week.