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Winner of the 2011 Cy Young and MVP Award, Justin Verlander has shown dominance worthy of Cooperstown consideration. With three no-hitters to his credit, only Nolan Ryan (7), and Sandy Koufax (4) have more.

His first came on June 12, 2007. In command from the start, Verlander struck out the first two men he faced. Armed with a fastball clocked at 102 miles per hour that night – 101 in the 9th inning – Verlander finished with 12 strikeouts. Despite issuing four walks, he needed just 112 pitches to complete his masterpiece.

In the collection is this ticket from that game autographed by Justin Verlander.

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The first piece of memorabilia on this page is a ticket to Justin Verlander’s first career no hitter in 2007 signed by the pitcher. Umpiring first base that day was the crew chief Dale Scott.

Baseball’s first openly gay ump, Scott made his big league debut in 1985 and was still going strong when Verlander pitched his gem in front of the home crowd at Detroit’s Comerica Park.

Interestingly, Scott also umpired during Verlander’s second no-hitter in 2011, this time at third base. Scott worked a dozen Division Series, six League Champion Series, three World Series, and three All Star games, the last of which came in 2011.

In the collection is this 2011 All Star Game ring receipt signed by Scott who called balls and strikes that day.

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As part of Crew Chief Dale Scott’s team, Dan Iassogna also umpired Justin Verlander’s first two no-hitters. In 2007 when the Tiger ace whitewashed the Brewers in Detroit, Iassogna worked third base. Four years later in Toronto, Iassogna was at second.

Iassogna worked his first big league game in 1999, reaching the post season in 2000 his first as a full-time MLB umpire. Since then he has called five Division Series, four League Championship Series, two World Series, and the 2011 All Star Game.

In the collection is this receipt signed by Iassogna for the ring he received for his work in the 2011 Midsummer Classic.

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Justin Verlander’s 2011 season was historic. The Tigers hurler posted league-leading totals in starts, innings, wins, ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP. His efforts commanded both the Cy Young Award and the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

The honors linked him to Dodger pitcher Don Newcombe as the only men to earn the Rookie of the Year, the Cy, and the MVP.

Newcombe, the top rookie in 1949 had his Cy Young and MVP season in 1956. That year he led all the major leagues in both wins and WHIP.

In the collection is this government postcard signed by Newcombe in 1950, his second season with Brooklyn. For more on Newcombe, click here.

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The Cy Young Award was originated in 1956 to recognize pitching excellence. Through 1966 it was given to the singular best twirler in the major leagues. Then in 1967, it was expanded to honor a pitcher in each league.

Through the award’s first 70 years 22 pitchers earned multiple nods. Half of them picked up the honor a third time.

Justin Verlander is one of the 11 to capture the Cy at least three times. Baseball writers bestowed it to the ace in 2011, 2019, and 2022. The American League pitching Triple Crown winner in 2011, Verlander won 24 games with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts. In addition to the Cy Young, his performance got him the AL MVP. Verlander also led the league in victories in each his two other award-winning campaigns.

Roger Clemens is the most-decorated recipient with 7 Cy Young plaques. Left-hander Randy Johnson is next with 5 nods. A pair of Cooperstown men, Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux won four each. Along with Verlander, Pedro Martinez, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Jim Palmer, Tom Seaver, and Sandy Koufax have three each.

Shown here is a 1961 Topps card autographed by Koufax and LA teammate Johnny Podres. The Left Arm of God earned his trio of Cy Young Award in his final four years with the Dodgers from 1963-1966. Koufax is the first hurler to earn three Cy Youngs.