CRZ
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|  #1 Posted on 5.1.10 1930.33 | Instant Rating: 8.85 | Originally posted by AP (hosted.ap.org)
Jan 5, 7:48 PM EST
Randy Johnson retires after 22 seasons
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Randy Johnson is retiring after 22 major league seasons.
 The Big Unit, an overpowering left-hander who last June became the 24th pitcher to win 300 games, made the expected announcement Tuesday on a conference call.
"I really wanted to go out on my terms," Johnson said. "I just feel like there's not a lot more for me to do in this game. I just think it's a natural progression when you play this long. Eventually you have to say it's time."
A five-time Cy Young Award winner, the 46-year-old Johnson accomplished just about everything in his remarkable career that a player hopes for in baseball.
He owns a World Series ring and co-MVP honors, and was a 10-time All-Star. He threw two no-hitters, including a perfect game, and ranks second on the career strikeout list.
The 6-foot-10 Johnson finishes with a career record of 303-166 and 4,875 strikeouts in 4,135 1-3 innings for Montreal, Seattle, Houston, Arizona, the New York Yankees and San Francisco. His strikeouts are the most by a left-hander and second to Nolan Ryan's 5,714.
"It's all been a bit of a whirlwind. I never really got caught up in what I did," Johnson said. "I never really dwelled on my achievements. They're nice. Maybe now I'll be able to reflect on them."
[MORE]
Could he be the greatest Expo pitcher ever? Just look at these stats and you be the judge!
(I am joking.)
Hard to believe he ONLY made $70K in 1989. More on Johnson's long, long career over at The Baseball Reference (baseball-reference.com).
We covered his perfect game against Atlanta in this 2004 thread (The W).
Another one done.
Well done.
Maybe HE can make the Hall on the first ballot? ;-)
  | Promote this thread! |           | redsoxnation
Scrapple
Since: 24.7.02
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| #2 Posted on 5.1.10 1955.58 | Instant Rating: 4.87 | Originally posted by CRZ
Originally posted by AP (hosted.ap.org)
Jan 5, 7:48 PM EST
Randy Johnson retires after 22 seasons
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Randy Johnson is retiring after 22 major league seasons.
The Big Unit, an overpowering left-hander who last June became the 24th pitcher to win 300 games, made the expected announcement Tuesday on a conference call.
"I really wanted to go out on my terms," Johnson said. "I just feel like there's not a lot more for me to do in this game. I just think it's a natural progression when you play this long. Eventually you have to say it's time."
A five-time Cy Young Award winner, the 46-year-old Johnson accomplished just about everything in his remarkable career that a player hopes for in baseball.
He owns a World Series ring and co-MVP honors, and was a 10-time All-Star. He threw two no-hitters, including a perfect game, and ranks second on the career strikeout list.
The 6-foot-10 Johnson finishes with a career record of 303-166 and 4,875 strikeouts in 4,135 1-3 innings for Montreal, Seattle, Houston, Arizona, the New York Yankees and San Francisco. His strikeouts are the most by a left-hander and second to Nolan Ryan's 5,714.
"It's all been a bit of a whirlwind. I never really got caught up in what I did," Johnson said. "I never really dwelled on my achievements. They're nice. Maybe now I'll be able to reflect on them."
[MORE]
Could he be the greatest Expo pitcher ever? Just look at these stats and you be the judge!
(I am joking.)
Hard to believe he ONLY made $70K in 1989. More on Johnson's long, long career over at The Baseball Reference (baseball-reference.com).
We covered his perfect game against Atlanta in this 2004 thread (The W).
Another one done.
Well done.
Maybe HE can make the Hall on the first ballot? ;-)
As long as nothing comes out on him in the next 5 years he will, but more than a few guys were automatic 1st ballots when they retired and either didn't or won't get in on the first ballot (Rose,McGwire,Clemens). | supersalvadoran
Landjager
Since: 10.1.08
From: westbury, new york
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| #3 Posted on 5.1.10 2340.56 | Instant Rating: 4.13 | I'll never say someone in baseball was NOT on steriods. I think we have all been surprised or shocked by who's been caught. That said, Big Old Randy here really never needed it, IMO. His height and dickish attitude was enough to put fear into any batter. Anyone who needs proof of that should see either the bird explosion or poor John Kruk's decapitation at the all-star game.
That said, he's definitely a 1st ballot HOFer. He's done everything, most of them at least twice (No-hitters, Cy Youngs, 20+ wins, 300+ K's, WS). I see no argument against him.
Oh, and I have that card. Say what you will, but once you realize that pic is at least 22 years old, you have to admire how he has kept that moustache and mullet in tip-top shape for all this time.
| Lise
Mrs. Guru
Since: 11.12.01
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| #4 Posted on 6.1.10 0025.28 | Instant Rating: 8.86 | Not only was he tall and freaking scary looking, he always had that Mr. Snappy pitch that got away every now and again... nothing like hitting a few people with a fast ball to put the fear into batters.
His daughters have got to be getting almost to dating age now. Man, imagine going to pick up a girl and having the Big Unit answer the door... | DrDirt
Banger
Since: 8.10.03
From: flyover country
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| #5 Posted on 6.1.10 0752.01 | Instant Rating: 7.47 | What will hurt his first ballot chances was his less than pleasant demeanor with the media. But he will get in no later than the second year.
Perception is reality | The Game
Boudin rouge
Since: 5.5.09
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| #6 Posted on 6.1.10 0820.34 | Instant Rating: 2.10 | | I am glad he is retired; he has nothing left to prove anymore with 300+ wins, multiple Cy Young's, and a World Series ring. He will be a first ballot Hall of Famer and again, I am glad he retired because again, he had nothing left to prove anymore (now, if John Smoltz can learn to retire now.....and I am a Smoltz fan but the dude just needs to learn that his days are numbered now and should be a HOF'er) | bash91
Merguez
Since: 2.1.02
From: Plain Dealing, LA
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| #7 Posted on 6.1.10 0822.05 | Instant Rating: 5.51 | Originally posted by DrDirt
What will hurt his first ballot chances was his less than pleasant demeanor with the media. But he will get in no later than the second year.
I'd say even that won't matter. He's indisputably the best left-handed pitcher in my lifetime and one of the top 3 of all time. He's another one of those cases like Greg Maddux where anyone not voting for him on the first ballot* is so clueless that they should be checked to see if they are still breathing.
On a personal note, Randy Johnson is one of the three best pitchers I've ever seen live, the other 2 being Greg Maddux and Tom Seaver. I was lucky enough to see him while he was still an Expo absolutely dominate my beloved Reds. He was just scary to watch because of that combination of size, velocity, and snarl that he had on full display that day in 1989.
Tim
*All the usual caveats applying
Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit. -- Erasmus
All others things being equal, the simplest solution is usually stupidity. -- Darwin Minor | redsoxnation
Scrapple
Since: 24.7.02
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| #8 Posted on 6.1.10 0833.40 | Instant Rating: 4.87 | Originally posted by DrDirt
What will hurt his first ballot chances was his less than pleasant demeanor with the media. But he will get in no later than the second year.
Carlton got around 96% of the vote on his first ballot and he never spoke to the media, which turned out good once people found out what he spoke of after retiring, so if it hurts Johnson, it will be by a minor amount. | Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
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| #9 Posted on 6.1.10 1130.46 | Instant Rating: 9.32 | I don't know who my internet threat would influence, but dammit, Randy better make the HOF on the first ballot. Anything else would expose the process as ludicrous.
If Randy isn't a first ballot HOF inductee, then the hall means nothing to me.
Sign up for Folding@Home and join our team. PM me for details.
Ignorance is bliss for you, hell for me. | thecubsfan
Scrapple
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| #10 Posted on 6.1.10 1139.22 | Instant Rating: 10.00 | Clear first ballot based primarily on his performance in Little Big League.
thecubsfan.com - luchablog |
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Thread rated: 6.52