Randy Johnson
The Big Unit: Hall of Fame left-hander with 4,875 strikeouts and a perfect game.
Randall David Johnson (born September 10, 1963), nicknamed "the Big Unit," is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) (1988–2009) for six teams, primarily the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. At 6 ft 10 in, Johnson was the tallest player in MLB history when he entered the league, contributing to his intimidating persona and pitching style. As a player, he was especially known for his overpowering fastball and devastating slider, a combination that remained effective throughout his lengthy career.
Quick Facts
- Debut year
- 1988
Lore & Background
Johnson was born on September 10, 1963, in Walnut Creek, California. He played college baseball for the University of Southern California Trojans. The Montreal Expos drafted him in the second round of the 1985 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut on September 15, 1988, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On May 25, 1989, the Expos traded Johnson to the Seattle Mariners. He threw his first career no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers on June 2, 1990. Johnson broke out in 1993 with a 19–8 record and his first of six 300-strikeout seasons. He was traded to the Houston Astros in 1998 and then signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a free agent. Along with teammate Curt Schilling, Johnson was one of two World Series Most Valuable Players in 2001, winning three games in the Series. He won the pitching Triple Crown in 2002. On May 18, 2004, at age 40, he threw MLB's 17th perfect game, becoming the oldest pitcher to accomplish the feat. Johnson retired at age 46 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 in his first year of eligibility. He is the first member of the Hall to be depicted in a Diamondbacks uniform on his plaque.
Reader's Guide
Johnson's 303 career victories are the fifth-most by a left-hander in MLB history, while his 4,875 strikeouts place him second all time behind Nolan Ryan and first among left-handers. He recorded 300 strikeouts in a season six times, a major league record tied with Ryan. Johnson is a 10-time All-Star, won the Cy Young Award five times, and is one of only two pitchers (along with Greg Maddux) to win the award in four consecutive seasons (1999–2002). He won Cy Young Awards in both leagues. He is also one of five pitchers to pitch no-hitters in both leagues, and one of 26 pitchers in history to record a win against all 30 MLB franchises. On August 8, 2015, the Diamondbacks retired Johnson's number 51. On May 2, 2026, the Mariners retired Johnson's number 51, making him one of 12 players in MLB history to have his number retired by multiple MLB teams.
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