Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander's farewell game nearly turned into a Pittsburgh celebration: the Pirates were one strike away from spoiling the occasion before losing on a walk-off home run. The dramatic finish drew wide attention, with fans and commentators focusing on both the emotional send-off for the veteran pitcher and the crushing way Pittsburgh let the game slip away.

Longtime pitcher Justin Verlander is retiring from Major League Baseball, closing out a career that included multiple World Series titles, Cy Young Awards and an MVP honour. Verlander pitched for teams including the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros and is regarded as one of the greatest starters of his generation. Fans and fellow players are reacting with tributes across social media.