"That didn't look like Kate Upton"; "Keeping up his Legends status" - MLB fans react to Justin Verlander's Zoom trick in Giants introduction

Justin Verlander has signed with the San Francisco Giants. As the future Hall of Famer nears retirement, he's joining the Giants on a one-year, $15 million deal. He just recently had his introductory press conference with GM Buster Posey and members of the media.

As with many things today, the introduction was done over Zoom. He met with Posey and local reporters in the popular virtual meeting room, but he seemed to be using his wife's account.

His wife, of course, is famous supermodel and former Sports Illustrated cover swimsuit model Kate Upton. One reporter didn't realize he was on mute and pointed out that Verlander's name was not his own.

That provided a very awkward silence in which all media were asked to mute themselves, and Verlander jokingly said he'd change his name so as to avoid any confusion that he is himself and not Upton.

"That might be one of the most low key flexes by an athlete," one fan added.

"Kate Upton to the bay is the biggest off-season acquisition," another laughed.

"OMG, that's great, loved that they all found it funny as well," another chimed in.

"Haha and JV knew exactly what he was doing," one said.

The former Houston Astros ace took it well despite the awkward nature in his very first encounter with Giants media.

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Justin Verlander discusses age-related changes to routine

At 41, Justin Verlander can't pitch the same way he could when he was young. He won three Cy Youngs, two of which came well before he was in his late 30s, but he can't pitch the same way anymore.

Justin Verlander wants to turn back the clock (Imagn)

That includes changing how he handles the offseason. He said via the AP:

“I’ve always been somebody who, I set down the ball, I don’t pick it up again for a few months and then I’ve always been very lucky that I just pick it up and start throwing. Well, at 41, that caught up with me. So that was an adjustment that I’ve made that I feel is paying big dividends already.”

Verlander is very eager to prove he can pitch at a high level after a 5.48 ERA last season with the Astros.