Tigers P Justin Verlander appeared on TBS’ “Conan” last night in part to promote the upcoming release of 2K Sports’ “MLB 2K12” and the game’s new “Perfect Game Challenge.” 2K Sports for the third year will award $1M to a user that throws a perfect game, but instead of giving the prize to the first player to achieve the feat, Verlander said the company is “going to rate the perfect games.” He noted the “top eight perfect games are going to compete in New York in a tournament style.” Verlander is the cover athlete for the game, and TBS’ Conan O’Brien asked, “Do you like how you're depicted on the cover? You look kind of like a superhero here. This is kind of neat.” Verlander: “It's me, I look great.” Laughing, O’Brien said, “You do look good. You look like you're in the middle of a hurricane pitching, but it's nice.” Verlander said of the cover image, “They did some electricity on my arm which I like. I love it. I think it's great. That picture was taken in my garage, by the way.”
RING MY BELL: O’Brien asked Verlander whether he has rituals before he is scheduled to pitch. Verlander said, “The night before, as you can tell by my amazing physique, I eat Taco Bell.” O’Brien asked somewhat incredulously, “You eat Taco Bell the night before you pitch every time?” Verlander: “Every start, yes. You're welcome, Taco Bell. But it's true.” O’Brien added, “It also results in your gameday diarrhea tradition. … You're welcome, Taco Bell” (“Conan,” TBS, 1/11).
