Justin Verlander, the legendary Major League Baseball pitcher, celebrated his 40th birthday on February 20, 2023. Verlander, who recently signed with the New York Mets, has been a stalwart in the league for over 17 years, leaving an indelible mark on the sport with his pitching prowess and longevity.Born on February 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round (second overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft. Verlander made his debut for the Tigers in 2005, and his performances over the next few years established him as one of the best pitchers in the game.MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 406532340 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVGJustin Verlander is known for his aggressive pitching style and remarkable consistency throughout his career. Over his 17-year career, Verlander has won numerous awards and accolades. He's a nine-time All-Star, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, a Most Valuable Player, and a two-time World Series champion. Verlander has also thrown two no-hitters and has led the league in strikeouts five times.As soon as the clock struck midnight on his birthday, social media platforms, especially Twitter, were abuzz with wishes and messages from fans, former teammates, and fellow players. Fans took to Twitter to pay tribute to Verlander for his illustrious career and wish him on his birthday.The MLB page on Twitter posted a birthday message for Justin Verlander as many fans joined in. One fan wrote:"Happy Birthday to my favorite player ever and my childhood hero." Another said: "Legendary Justin."Here are the other reactions on Twitter:Mundo Mets@MundoMets🫡 #Respect twitter.com/mlb/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 406632440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVG🫡 #Respect twitter.com/mlb/status/162…B@MrSharpElbows twitter.com/MLB/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 406932440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVG🐐🐐🐐🐐 twitter.com/MLB/status/162…Matthew Cardenas@Matt__CardTake care of him, New York twitter.com/mlb/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 132440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVGTake care of him, New York twitter.com/mlb/status/162…Rhys White@RhysBWhiteHappy Birthday to my favorite player ever and my childhood hero twitter.com/mlb/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 407332440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVGHappy Birthday to my favorite player ever and my childhood hero twitter.com/mlb/status/162…Eduardo Gustavo 🏀🇺🇸@EGustavo_04Legendary Justin twitter.com/MLB/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 407332440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVGLegendary Justin 👑⚾🇺🇸 twitter.com/MLB/status/162…De'Vion Hinton@LordDexHintonRooting like hell for my boy in New York can't lie to you. twitter.com/MLB/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 432440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVGRooting like hell for my boy in New York can't lie to you. twitter.com/MLB/status/162…Keylow@TheyHoedMe twitter.com/mlb/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 132440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVG🐐 twitter.com/mlb/status/162…Krista Steele@kristaasteeleShould be wearing a different orange and blue but I still love him 🥹 twitter.com/mlb/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 407532440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVGShould be wearing a different orange and blue but I still love him 🥹 twitter.com/mlb/status/162…Eric@EasyE65Using a graphic of him in a Mets jersey to commemorate his career when he hasn’t even thrown a regular season pitch for the Mets yet is such amateur behavior lol twitter.com/mlb/status/162…MLB@MLB40 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 132440 years old and still at the top of his game. On his birthday, we appreciate the greatness of Justin Verlander. 😤 https://t.co/Y43f8M4CVGUsing a graphic of him in a Mets jersey to commemorate his career when he hasn’t even thrown a regular season pitch for the Mets yet is such amateur behavior lol twitter.com/mlb/status/162…Can Justin Verlander continue to excel with New York Mets?Justin Verlander joined the New York Mets in December 2022 on a two-year contract worth $86.7 million. He will now be a part of the star-studded Mets' team assembled to challenge for the World Series. He will have plenty of competition from the likes of Max Scherzer and Jose Quintana for a place in the lineup and will have to make sure his level doesn't drop. Given his experience and character, he will be a valuable addition for the Mets in the upcoming season.As Verlander enters his 40s, it remains to be seen how much longer he continues to play. One thing is clear, though: his impact on the sport of baseball has been significant, and his legacy as one of the game's greats is secure.