Portsmouth, Virginia : Two famous major leaguers of roughly the same age
Portsmouth, Virginia, is located in the southern part of the United States along the Atlantic coast. It is likely a city unfamiliar to most Japanese people.
When they hear the name "Portsmouth", many Japanese people probably think of the city where the peace treaty (the Treaty of Portsmouth) between Japan and Russia was signed in 1905, brokered by the 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt. However, that Portsmouth is in New Hampshire, not Virginia.
I visited Portsmouth, Virginia, in the summer of 2013.
First, I went to the city's tourist information center to get some recommendations on sightseeing spots. While there, I happened to mention to the woman at the counter,
"This city's name is easily confused with the Portsmouth in New Hampshire—the one famous for the Russo-Japanese War peace treaty, you know?"
She simply gave me a puzzled look, as if to say, "What are you talking about?" ...Well, I suppose that makes sense. It is only natural that Americans wouldn't know about the Treaty of Portsmouth.
After parking my car, I walked through the intense summer sun and arrived at the charming Old Town area. With stylish cafes lining both sides of the street, I felt as though I were strolling down the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Having grown tired from driving all over the U.S., I decided to take a break and have a coffee at one of the cafes. I sat in a chair outside, idly watching the people walk by.
Once I had shaken off my fatigue, I headed toward the building housing the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. (When I visited in 2013, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame building was located in Portsmouth; however, that building closed in 2017, and the Hall of Fame now appears to be located in Virginia Beach.)
It was an impressive building.
As I opened the door and stepped inside, a young white man—energetic and unusually cheerful—called out, "Let me show you around!" I felt a strong urge to speak my mind and say, "I've been driving all over the place and I'm exhausted; I'd really just like to look around at my own pace, so could you please leave me be?" But faced with that kind man's friendly smile, I couldn't bring myself to say it. All I could do was smile back and say, "I'd appreciate that."
The young man guided me through the numerous exhibits spread across the first and second floors, explaining the displays as we went. Many athletes were honored and featured in exhibits—whether they were originally from Virginia or had come to the state, for instance, to attend school there. The athletes honored here represent a truly wide range of sports—football, baseball, basketball, soccer, bowling, wrestling, and more. The exhibits recognize not only professionals but also notable amateur athletes. It appears that coaches and journalists are also honored. ... As of 2026, a total of 386 individuals have been inducted, with the largest group—116 people—coming from the world of football. Baseball accounts for 42.
Since I have a keen interest in sports in general—not just baseball—I tried my best to understand everything the man was explaining. However, I was so tired that I probably didn't grasp even half of it—especially the parts about the amateur athletes... I didn't quite grasp the details. Even so, I was moved by the display listing Olympic medalists and featuring inspiring quotes from a famous swimmer; I made sure to take photos of those two exhibits, even though the indoor lighting made it difficult to get great shots.
On the second floor, there was an exhibit area showcasing many active and former Major League Baseball players. The two players given the most prominent display space were third baseman David Wright and pitcher Justin Verlander. Both hail from Virginia. It seems they are considered the most famous baseball players from the state—a status that appears unchanged from the time of my visit in 2013 to the present day.
David Wright was a franchise player who spent his entire 14-year career with the New York Mets, enjoying immense popularity among the team's fanbase; he also served as the Mets' fourth captain. Although he never won a league title, he posted an impressive career batting average of .296 and earned two Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards. He retired after the 2018 season and was honored with induction into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. Incidentally, he was also known for his good looks and was reportedly very popular among female fans.
On the other hand, Justin Verlander has played for four different teams, though he spent the bulk of his career with the Detroit Tigers. Over his 21-season career, he has been a stellar pitcher, leading the league in wins four times, ERA twice, and strikeouts five times, while also winning three Cy Young Awards and one MVP award. As he is still an active player, he has not yet been inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
As I look at photos of the exhibits dedicated to David Wright and Justin Verlander—taken at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame—I find myself deeply reflecting on a particular subject: the age at which athletes retire from active play.
David Wright was born in December 1982, and Justin Verlander in February 1983—meaning they are roughly the same age. Yet, Wright retired in 2018, whereas Verlander has continued playing up to this year (2026) and has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season. That creates an eight-year gap in their retirement ages. Why does the age of retirement vary so much from player to player? Is there a difference between pitchers and position players?
I plan to write a column about these topics next time.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention something. The young white man who showed me around also gave me a detailed explanation about David Wright and Justin Verlander in the Major League Baseball exhibit area. I was already familiar with everything he told me, but I didn't let on; instead, I listened attentively.
He accompanied me all the way outside and asked,
"So, how was it? Did you enjoy yourself?"
I replied,
"Of course. Thanks to you, I learned a lot and really had a great time."
We shook hands and parted ways.
(If I've made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I'll try to make corrections or additions.)