After a stellar 22-year career Randy Johnson, The Big Unit, announced his retirement this evening. He finishes with a record of 303-166. He racked up 4,785 strikeouts. He won five Cy Young Awards, four of which came back-to-back-to-back-to-back, in the first four years of what has to be just about the best free agent signing ever. While Roger Clemens may have a few family members who would plead his case, most would agree that Johnson was the most dominating and intimidating pitcher of his era.
But to me, it’s much more than the numbers that will define Randy Johnson’s legend. It’s the transformation. I first saw Randy Johnson on TV as he pitched against the Braves on May 7, 1989.
I remember his performance distinctly, mostly because he was so damn
tall. Still, there was nothing about him that made me think the
guy would be in baseball in a year, let alone winning his 300th 20
years later. He was gangly and ineffective, going four innings, giving up six runs and walking six guys on the second worst offense in
the National League. When he was traded to the Mariners the following month I
thought “they gave up Mark Langston for that guy?” Mark Langston was an
All-Star who could strike guys out. Why on Earth would Seattle trade him for this wild beanpole?
Johnson slowly began to improve after the trade to Seattle, to the point where he was a genuinely average to slightly above average pitcher by 1992, though one who walked way, way too many guys. He was 28 by then. I figured that he would peter out soon enough and would be remembered as a slightly better, left handed Bobby Witt.
Then something clicked, and after it clicked no one had a chance off of the guy for the next dozen years.
Johnson was always a difficult interview. Sometimes surly, but mostly just introspective and private. He wasn’t the sort that would go on and on about his craft. If he was, however, he’d probably have an awful lot to say on the subjects of determination and concentration and above all else hard work. What’s the knock on tall pitchers? That their mechanics are impossible because of their size? Tell me: was there anyone who had simpler, more fluid mechanics than Randy Johnson in his prime? Mastering those mechanics was the only way he’d ever go from an erratic gas thrower to a perennial Cy Young Award winner, and to do that had to take hours and hours of work.
Many people will be writing about Randy Johnson in the next couple of days, and when they do they will likely use the terms “gifted” and “overpowering” and “physical specimen.” And they’ll be apt words because he was a gifted, overpowering physical specimen.
But most of us would have forgotten about the guy sometime in the mid-90s if he didn’t work, likely harder than any pitcher has ever worked before or since, to transform himself from that gifted but erratic thrower I saw in 1989 to the inner-circle Hall of Famer he is today, on the day of his retirement.
Congratulations on a spectacular career, Mr. Johnson. See you in Cooperstown in 2015.
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- Patrick - Jan 5, 2010 at 9:00 PM
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Go Randy… I wasn’t in to baseball (or was too young) for much of his career, but the things he did… wow.
4 Cy Youngs in a row. And he deserved them. That’s just incredible…
What a career! I wish I’d seen more of him in his prime – and that he’d figured out his control issues more quickly.
Imagine if he’d hit the big leaugues and found his control in a year, instead of in 5 or 6 years… He’d have won nearly 400 games, probably more than Maddux or Clemens. Wow.
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- Dan - Jan 5, 2010 at 9:05 PM
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I would like to nominate this video as the saddest baseball-related video of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng0AjN3TTFs&feature=related
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- Howard - Jan 5, 2010 at 9:30 PM
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I had the great opportunity in 2001 to see him start the 2001 All Star game in Seattle watching him give up one hit and on one fast ball hit 101mph. That same year I had actually gotten his autograph during spring training in Tucson and because he didn’t have his long hair and mustache I didn’t recognize him right off ( I was standing eye level with him while I was in the stands) but was amazed even before then at what he did for the D’backs. I doubt in my lifetime there will be another Randy Johnson and I do agree that he was more dominant and was more feared by batters thatn Clemens was.
Good Luck Randy You will be missed.
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- Greg Oien - Jan 5, 2010 at 9:38 PM
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To know how much Randy was feared in his prime you only need to watch the video from the All Star game where John Kruk bails on three strikes after a wild pitch by Johnson over Kruk’s head.
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- Dave Konz - Jan 5, 2010 at 9:48 PM
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No Randy!!!! As pitcher through the 80′s and 90′s in highschool, college and local townteams I played baseball as long as I could. Having played in the KINGDOME in the ’82 staTE CHAMPIONSHIP gave me a total love for the game playing as much as I could after my high school career. Trying out at Wash. State but not making the team, tranfering to Central Wa University and playing 2 years as a relief pitcher during rebuilding seasons (losing seasons) and coming home to coach our town team baseball team that played mostly in Canada for as many years till disbandonment. You were my Idol as I was going through my passion of this baseball trek. Growing up in my early years I didn’t have anyone to play catch with as I was a firstborn with sisters to follow down the road. Being raised on a farm (ranch), in the spring as I was plowing the field I would stop every other round and throw rocks off the field with a target in my sights, usually a fence post. I got pretty good when I could hit a 3 inch fence post at 60feet 6 inches 9 times in a row.
Randy, being about the same age as you I understand what you have to do. If you decide to retire so be it. If not, and you only play sparingly thats ok. I suggest one more year, for the passion!!! (Please sign with the MARINERS and I will try to make a few games as I am in eastern Washington)
Whichever road you choose you are Coopertown bound nomatter what!!!!!!!!!! As Bob Hope would say, “Thanks for the memories”
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- Sandy - Jan 5, 2010 at 9:49 PM
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The headline that almost was: “Big Unit Yanked.” The sports writers at the newspaper I used to work for used this title for a story about Randy Johnson being relieved in a game. Unfortunately it never ran because the copy editor spotted it and “yanked” it.
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- John Clay - Jan 5, 2010 at 9:56 PM
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The John Kruk All Star Game where he pitched to Kruk wild inside and Kruk finished the at-bat holding the bat over the plate with one hand is a favorite father & son baseball memory for me. So dang funny!!!
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- Dude - Jan 5, 2010 at 10:12 PM
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I was on the field as a reporter covering him in West Palm Beach in Spring Training before he even made the bigs, standing around the first-base line. My reaction: Who is this freak? This had to be around 1987 or so.
Thanks Unit. And RIP, exploded bird.
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- Jerry - Jan 5, 2010 at 10:20 PM
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The pithc I remembered was the one that took out the bird in flight. That will be on sports reels till after they stop playing baseball.
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- Manny - Jan 5, 2010 at 10:32 PM
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It was my good fortune to be in Seattle during the days of Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr. and later Alex Rodriguez. To watch these three greats play the game was a true delight.
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- Joe - Jan 5, 2010 at 10:47 PM
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Big Unit has to rate right up there with Warren Spahn and Sandy Kofax as one the all time best left handers. Thanks for the memories. 1st ballot HOF.
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- BIGBRUCE11047 - Jan 5, 2010 at 10:54 PM
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Randy Johnson has to be the most intimidating pitcher than has ever pitched in the “big leagues.” Just standing in the batters box looking the 60 feet from home plate to the mound with Randy Johnson’s 6 foot 11 inch frame standing there. Then comes the 100+ fastball high and inside. That would make anyone retire sooner than initially figured on. He was a good lefthander with 4,500-plus strike outs and the 303 wins is going to get him voted into the Hall of Fame on his first attempt. I hope Randy enjoys his retirement. He’ll probably sit in somebody’s broadcast booth doing color commentary or he’ll be on MLBN (channel 103 where I live) doing broadcasting. I want to thank the Giants for signing him to the last one-year contract so he could win his 300th game this season. He finished with 303 wins. “GO RANDY!!
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- Bill-Sonora - Jan 5, 2010 at 10:56 PM
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Classic! Thats what I always remember.
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- dan - Jan 5, 2010 at 11:02 PM
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birds everywhre are sighing in relief! haha
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- Shawn - Jan 5, 2010 at 11:23 PM
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I had the pleasure of attending high school with Randy and watched him participate in almost every sport he could. He was an amazing athlete then and is now taking his final bow still an amazing athlete. I congratulate him and look forward to his induction into the hall of fame. Way to go Randy!!! (Once an LHS Cowboy…always an LHS Cowboy!)
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- Jeff - Jan 5, 2010 at 11:30 PM
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I live near Seattle and I’m a huge Mariner fan, however I have to say I think Randy’s greatest achievments and success occured in Arizona and it makes most sense for that to be his uniform in Cooperstown. Not that I would be disappointed if it was Seattle!
But to that idiot who says he should go in as a Yankee, BITE ME!
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- Guy - Jan 5, 2010 at 11:42 PM
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I suppose this is about you favorite moments of Johnson’s career. All too often and rightful so it usually centers around there love of baseball-at least for me.
The moment that sticks with me was watching Johnson pitch his 20 strikeout game. This was impressive season for him in Arizona and probably his best. But of all people who I was watching this game with was my grandmother. She never was a fan of baseball although she attended ever game that her late brother caught for Babe Ruth and Bob Feller while they toured small mid-west towns after their major league careers were over.
As great as those HOFers were she never was really impressed with their play but she would stand with hands on knees and rocker back and forth watching every one of Johnson’s sliders disappear as he racked up another Circle K strikeout. Even in the 9th he still was so strong you thoguht he could go into the 14th or 15th if the game ran that long.
Thanks Randy.
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- SLG - Jan 5, 2010 at 11:47 PM
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I was sitting behind home plate to see Randy take a no hitter into the 7th inning once. When he pitched the Mariners into the playoffs for the first time he was unstoppable. They call Safeco Field the house Griffey built, but it belongs to Randy too.
I just hope he can enjoy retirement without any more back problems.
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- MarkH - Jan 5, 2010 at 11:59 PM
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Wasn’t the story that Johnson had some kind of “talk” with Nolan Ryan in the early 90s, and after that Johnson miraculously stopped walking as many batters? Good story, I guess, though I’m not sure how the all-time leader in walks could pep talk you into better mastery of the plate, but whatever…
Speaking of Ryan & Johnson, they’re #1 and #2 in career strikeouts, and Johnson is about 900 behind Ryan. Wow.
Personally, I wonder how many wins his bullpen in Seattle cost him over the years. I can’t remember how many time I’d watch the Mariners come into Fenway in the mid to late 90s, cringe at how Johnson made the Sox look like children swinging toothpicks — and then brighten up when Pinella inevitably came into yank Johnson in the 7th inning or something. We’d know then we had a chance.
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- Bill - Jan 6, 2010 at 1:53 AM
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Good riddance! Shave, get a haircut and grow a personality.
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- Great One - Jan 6, 2010 at 3:37 AM
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I heard this guy was like some kind of jerk. Is it true?
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- Cru11 - Jan 6, 2010 at 3:38 AM
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Good call, Bill. Get this guy out of the league. He wasn’t one of the top 3 LHP in all of baseball or one of the best power pitchers with 300 wins. I hated his personality as well. Talk about a determined, hard-working guy who was quiet and reserved; not to mention gave it his all to go out and win a ballgame. I’m sure you’re more of a John Rocker fan. Sprint out of the the bullpen like a buffoon then get labeled a red ass after bashing the people of NY publicly.
Haircut? I believe he cut the mullet around 5 years ago.
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- Cru11 - Jan 6, 2010 at 3:39 AM
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Good call, Bill. Get this guy out of the league. He wasn’t one of the top 3 LHP in all of baseball or one of the best power pitchers with 300 wins. I hated his personality as well. Talk about a determined, hard-working guy who was quiet and reserved; not to mention gave it his all to go out and win a ballgame. I’m sure you’re more of a John Rocker fan. Sprint out of the the bullpen like a buffoon then get labeled a red ass after bashing the people of NY publicly.
Haircut? I believe he cut the mullet around 5 years ago.
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- Chris Simonds - Jan 6, 2010 at 4:19 AM
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During his career, especially during what turned out to a very long stretch of peak performance years, Randy Johnson’s focus and determination gave baseball and baseball fans an incomparable gift – he made the game exciting, every time he pitched.
Thanks Randy.
(And thanks Craig, for an excellent tribute.)
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- John - Jan 6, 2010 at 4:58 AM
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Thanks for everything to Randy! Great memories watching him play.
One game in particular, my kids and I were at a Giants- Diamondbacks game, and he gave 2 baseballs to my kids. We still have the baseballs, and my kids have been HUGE fans of Randy and the game ever since.
