Congratulations, Randy Johnson!

by javaball on Jun 4, 2009 6:22 PM PDT Comment 13 comments

Congratulations on the 300th WIN! Congratulations for battling back from back surgery! Congratulations for pursuing your career on your own terms and never giving up!

What an incredible career! What an indomitable spirit!

Because of Randy Johnson, I became an A's fan. I remember back in 2006, on Opening Day, Randy Johnson and the Yankees routed the A's 15-2, but the A's bounced right back and won the series 2-1. They showed a lot of heart in that series, and I've been rooting for the A's ever since.

The A's beat Johnson later that year. In fact, they did it twice in one week, and both times Dan Haren was the starting pitcher for the A's. Johnson's second loss was perhaps one of the lowest points of his career. It was fun to watch for an A's fan, but also painful to see someone, who once had been so dominant, struggling so badly on the mound, giving up HR after HR and BB after BB. The commentators on YES were asking, "What's wrong with Randy Johnson?"

It was later discovered that Johnson had a herniated disc in his back. The Yankees traded him to the Dbacks in 2007 and he underwent back surgery that year. At age 44, having already had a brilliant Hall of Fame career, he could have retired. But he would not give in. He wanted to end his career on his own terms. With fire in his eyes, he kept on pitching and kept on competing.

Thank you, Randy Johnson, for being an inspiration!

Randy Johnson's Perfect Game

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I saw it at my friend’s house today. Randy Johnson is the sixth left-handed pitcher to reach the milestone. His son was in the dugout and the commentators kept pointing him out in the ninth inning.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 4, 2009 6:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've enjoyed watching him pitch for years...

I love that sidearm motion. Sometimes I joke that he’s the reincarnation of Walter Johnson, and seeing as how he won his 300th in Washington, maybe the spirit world winks along with that notion…

"Ascending the pop charts in Belgium, everyone loves Quality Jones. He's got a falsetto voice, and pants full of dirty socks"- The Reverend Billy Lard, from '(Get To Know) Quality Jones'

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 4, 2009 6:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

great milestone for him

if he continues to play, he could be chasing down the strike out milestone

by Wreckonized on Jun 4, 2009 8:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, if he stays healthy, he can reach 5,000K at the end of this season, or next season at the latest.
Catching Nolan Ryan’s record may be a bit of challenge though.

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on Jun 4, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome!!!

by luvsmrZ on Jun 4, 2009 11:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is amazing

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

by Blicks on Jun 5, 2009 8:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hrm.

The A’s beat Johnson later that year. In fact, they did it twice in one week, and both times Dan Haren was the starting pitcher for the A’s. Johnson’s second loss was perhaps one of the lowest points of his career. It was fun to watch for an A’s fan, but also painful to see someone, who once had been so dominant, struggling so badly on the mound, giving up HR after HR and BB after BB.

Not to rain on a good story, but this isn’t quite accurate. Johnson’s second and third outings against the A’s were May 14 and June 9, and while the 6/9 game was pretty bad (4 IP, 6 H, 3 HR, 5 BB,) he followed it with starts of 6 1/3 IP with 1 ER, 7 IP with 3 ER and 7 IP with 0 R and 9 Ks, which he then followed by giving up 8 runs to the Mets. The actual numbers don’t really fit the “lowest point of his career” narrative you’ve created.

by Nate on Jun 5, 2009 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How is that inaccurate?

Johnson’s ERA in 2006 was 5.00, the worst in his career when he’s pitched more than 10 games in the season (not including 2009). He had some good outings, but the game on 6/9 was one of the lowest points in his career the way he struggled on the mound.

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on Jun 5, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs