For SF Giants’ Justin Verlander, passion to pitch still burns bright

There is little that Justin Verlander hasn’t accomplished on the diamond. His resumé, one that will land him in the Hall of Fame, features an MVP, two championships and three Cy Youngs, among other accolades. He’ll officially enter his 20th major-league season on Opening Day, a testament to a longevity that few players can boast.

He doesn’t know when he will retire. Veterans have told Verlander, who will be 42 in February, that he will know when he knows. As he enters his first year in San Francisco...