Tigers starter Justin Verlander on Tuesday issued his first comments on photos that surfaced of him and his girlfriend, Kate Upton, on the Internet over the weekend.
Justin Verlander says of nude pics: ‘My personal life is my personal life’
Verlander predictably prefers to focus on baseball rather than the circus surrounding his leaked nudes.
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
"My personal life is my personal life," Verlander told reporters in the Tigers' clubhouse prior to the team's game against the Indians (via the Detroit Free Press). "I'm focused on baseball."
Nude photos of Verlander, Upton and many other celebrities were leaked on an image-based Internet bulletin board on Sunday night. Anonymous users of the board claimed the photos were obtained from the celebrities’ iCloud accounts, but Apple -- the proprietor of the iCloud system -- says the leaks were not the result of a security breach.
Upton is reportedly seeking legal action, and the FBI is in the process of an investigation. Meanwhile, Verlander does not appear interested in sharing any details.
“I’m not going to comment on my personal life,” Verlander said. “I never have, and I never plan on it.”
The 31-year-old right-hander also insists the situation will not affect his performance on the field. “I’ve always been able to do that,” Verlander said, in response to a question about being able to block out distractions. “This is my life. Baseball is my life.”
“I’m probably more at home [on the mound] than anywhere,” he added.
Verlander is in the midst of his worst season since 2008. The six-time All-Star owns a 4.68 ERA in 27 starts and has struck out only 6.9 batters per nine innings, a figure that is down two full batters per nine from his total a year ago.
The 10-year big league veteran is scheduled to make his next start on Wednesday against the Indians.
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