Mlb Ws Champions
Randy Johnson to announce retirement. Should he have come back for 2010?
The Big Unit is going to announce his retirement tonight (in order not to compete with the Hall announcement tomorrow).
In 22 seasons with the Expos, Mariners, Astros, Diamondbacks, Yankees, and Giants, Johnson posted a 303-166 (.646) record, 3.29 (136 adjusted), 100 complete games, 37 shutouts, two no-hitters (one a perfect game), a MLB record 10.61 K/9IP mark, and a second-best 4875 strikeouts, in 618 games (603 starts), 4135.1 innings. He picked up five Cy Young Awards along the way, was a member of the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks (and WS co-MVP), and hit one home run. Dude rocked, man.
Obviously he had nothing to play for in 2010, but dang, I’d have liked to see him try for 5000 strikeouts. It’s been 20 years since Ryan did it, and might be 20 more before someone else comes close. Johnson was a rare talent.
I think we can pencil in one name as a first-ballot Hall inductee for the Class of 2015.
I definitely agree with you that Johnson should be a first ballot inductee.
But even though I enjoyed watching him pitch, his stats never struck me as that amazing until you listed them. Not that I’m a big stats guy, but I would have never thought he was that close to 5000 strikeouts. I guess I’ve just gotten so used to him being so overpowering that I sort of took his dominance for granted. And while I think it would be great to see him reach that milestone, I’m actually glad he has chosen to retire. If nothing else, it speaks of Johnson’s commitment more to the team than to his own individual achievements. I’m sure he could maybe pitch another year or so, but would he really be a contributing member of a team as a starter, or would he more likely end up pitching out of a bullpen?
I think the fact that Johnson has chosen to retire rather than trying to catch on somewhere proves that feels he wouldn’t really contribute. And having seen Willie Mays play about 2 seasons too many, I’d much rather see him go out with a little left in the tank than try to run on fumes for a season or two.
Yankees Queen “We Are the Champions” 2009 WS Champs!