After winning his 300th career game last season with the San Francisco Giants, Randy Johnson decides it's time to hang up the cleats once and for all. The 6-foot-10 pitcher dubbed the nickname "The Big Unit", was just as intimidating off the field as he was on the mound. However, aside from his large frame and ability to throw a hard fastball in the high 90's to mid 100's was the kindhearted personality Johnson had as he gave much thanks to his teammates for his career success. No pitcher had more success in the early 2000's than Mr. Johnson.
Achievements & Awards - Randy Johnson is a walking milestone as he ranks among one of the greatest hurlers in terms of where he stands all-time in select pitching categories. Throughout his 22-year career plagued by numerous surgery laden injuries, Johnson still managed to win 303 games, becoming the 24th pitcher in Major League history to exceed the 300 win plateau. The 10-time all-star selectee ranks No. 1 all-time in Stikeouts per 9 Innings Pitched with 10.61, No. 2 in Strikeouts with 4,875 topped only by Nolan Ryan's 5,714 K's, No. 2 in Cy Young awards with 5 behind only Roger Clemens who won the award 7 times, and 22nd in wins with the aforementioned 303 career victories. 4 of Johnson's 5 Cy Young awards came in consecutive years from 1999-2002. Johnson also has 2 no-hitters under his belt, including 1 perfect game in which he pitched against the Braves at Turner Field on May 18, 2004.
The Teams - The Big Unit served for 6 different teams before his short 1-year stint with the Giants last season. But before pitching in his native bay area, Johnson broke into the Majors with the Montreal Expos where he played his first season and won his first game in 1988. The same exact franchise Johnson won his 300th career game against, the recently named Washington Nationals. Johnson was then traded to Seattle in May of 1989 where he pitched for nine long years until being dealt to Houston just before the 1998 Trade Deadline. Then was the beginning of Johnson's two stints in which he served as an Arizona Diamondback and where he thrived most (1999-2004 and 2007-08). The Big Unit even sported the pinstripes in 2005-06 as a New York Yankee. Although the cap Johnson will be wearing when inducted into Hall of Fame is unknown as of right now, it's a no brainer that he will and should be elected into Cooperstown on the first ballot when he's eligible in 2015.
In my opinion, I'd have to say Johnson goes into the Hall as an Arizona Diamondback. Not only was he the face of the franchise during their World Series run in 2001, but the amount of success he had as quickly and as consistent with a new team, it makes it that much more reasonable. Not to mention he'd be the first player to be honored by the franchise in Cooperstown. As one baseball great steps away from the game, it allows room for a future star to step forward. But it's unlikely we'll see another pitcher like Randy Johnson as many are speculating to be possibly the last pitcher in the 300 win club.
