Randy Johnson
| Birthdate | 09/10/1963 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1988 |
| Year of Induction | 2015 |
| Teams | Astros, Diamondbacks, Expos, Giants, Mariners, Yankees |
| Position | Pitcher |
Randy Johnson struck out at least 300 batters for four consecutive years on his way to setting the MLB mark with six 300+ strikeout seasons.
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Randy Johnson holds the MLB record with six 300-strikeout seasons
Randy Johnson holds the MLB record with six 300-strikeout seasons
More than 8,000 pitchers have taken the mound in a Major League game, but only 14 have ever recorded a 300-strikeout season. In the collection is the game-used lineup card from Randy Johnson’s 300th strikeout of the 1993 season.
Signed by the Big Unit, the card also features the signature of manager Lou Piniella. Though the Mariners lost the game in 12 innings, Johnson did his part, allowing only two runs in ten innings of work. He struck out 13 and finished the game with 301 Ks.
In his final start of the season he fanned another seven to end the season with 308. It was the first of his record six 300-strikeout seasons.
Three thousand career strikeouts remains a benchmark for Cooperstown. Johnson’s 4,875 Ks are the second most in baseball history.
A five-time Cy Young Award winner, Johnson earned four in a row from 1999-2002. In that run he posted a 2.48 ERA and averaged 354 strikeouts and more than 20 wins per season.
Johnson was voted into the Hall of Fame in his first time on the ballot in 2015.
Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson each won four-consecutive Cy Young Awards
Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson each won four-consecutive Cy Young Awards
From 1999-2002 Randy Johnson was simply dominant. During the four-year run he pitched to a 2.48 ERA. In the high run-scoring environment, that translated to a 187 ERA+. The Big Unit averaged more than 20 wins per season and struck out at least 300 batters each season. The performance earned him four-consecutive Cy Young Awards.
The only pitcher to match Johnson’s Cy Young run is Greg Maddux. From 1992-1995 Mad Dog’s ERA was a minuscule 1.98; his ERA+ was an otherworldly 202. In contrast to Johnson’s power, Maddux used pinpoint control to dominate.
Both men are members of the 3,000-strikeout club.
Shown here is Maddux’s contract extension with Topps Chewing Gum. He was on his way to stardom when he signed this on May 3, 1988. The first year of the extension saw an 18-win season and Maddux’s first All Star appearance.
By the time the contract expired at the end of the 1991 season, Maddux had two of his record 18 Gold Glove Awards and his first $1 million contract. In 1992 he earned the first of his four-straight Cy Young Awards.
A 355-game winner, Maddux, like Johnson, was a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection.
Johnson has the most strikeouts by a southpaw; only right-hander Nolan Ryan has more
Johnson has the most strikeouts by a southpaw; only right-hander Nolan Ryan has more
Standing 6’10” tall, Randy Johnson was one of baseball’s most-intimidating pitchers. Armed with a 100-mph fastball, the left-hander provided some of the game’s most uncomfortable at bats.
By the time his 22-year career was over, Johnson claimed the most strikeouts by a southpaw in big league history. In fact Johnson’s 4,875 whiffs is surpassed only by right-hander Nolan Ryan who had 5,714.
In the collection is an endorsement questionnaire asking baseball’s all-time strikeout leader Ryan about licensing contracts and product endorsements. Ryan indicates that he has none. At the time the contract was signed in 1974, even the game’s superstars were thin on money-making away from the diamond.
