How Randy Johnson Became the SCARIEST Pitcher in Baseball History
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- čas přidán 17. 05. 2024
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Randy Johnson was not only the tallest, fastest, and most-decorated pitcher during his time in Major League Baseball, he was also quite possibly the scariest person ever to set foot on the field. As a member of the Expos, Mariners, Astros, Diamondbacks, Yankees, and Giants, Johnson was an all-time great pitcher, set strikeout records, and made MLB history on more than one occasion. In fact, it's possible he was better on the mound than almost any other player in MLB history, beating out fellow Hall of Fame-caliber players like Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Roger Clemens.
In this video, we'll take a look at how Randy Johnson went from awkward, self-conscious prospect to the most terrifying pitcher in the game. Along the way, we'll explore his road to the show, his struggles early on, and the Hall of Famer who changed the course of his career.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @BaseballHSTRN
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BUSINESS INQUIRIES
contact@tablerockmanagement.com
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SOURCES
Baseball Reference
Fangraphs
baseballstrength.org/randy-joh...
www.baseballprospectus.com/ne...
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MUSIC
"Beach Bum - Happy Rock" - Kevin MacLeod
"Chipper - Happy Rock" - Kevin MacLeod
"Ditch Diggin'" - Jingle Punks
"Maroon Clock" - Freedom Trail Studio
"Metal Race" - Josh Kirsch
"Stuck in One Place" - Everet Almond
"Upsetter" - The Mini Vandals
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - 0:57 Intro
0:58 - 2:03 NordVPN
2:04 - 4:33 The Early Years
4:44 - 8:03 The Fixer
8:04 - 9:35 But Don't Take My Word for It
9:36 - 11:43 The Next Step - Sport
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Randy Johnson is Dr Disrespects Father.
I just want to say you started the video right, and, yes, I am happy. ✊🏼
classic
Love this video but as for the ad plug: why would a braves fan in Georgia not be able to watch braves games? 1:08
One of my favorite Randy Johnson stories: one game he pitched against Colorado he struck out Todd Helton on 3 pitchs, when he went back to the dugout Larry Walker asked him "did you see any of those?" Helton replied "I think I heard one"
As a kid I was pretty scared of Randy Johnson. This is of course after I asked for an autograph and his reponse was to silently put his giant paw in my face, like talk to the hand. I felt like a primitive human watching an eclipse. As an adult, I think it was hilarious
But did he sign
@@aaronrosenberg8784 no he did that and silently walked away lmao it was whatever I had a chance to meet a meet a bunch of players who were way more human and less terminator
@@beefywellington3571 kinda sucks, I've heard he's really nice since retiring
@@aaronrosenberg8784 no way he signed. I had a very similar experience but I wasn’t scared. I grew up going spring training every year as soon as pitchers reported.. Randy was the biggest jerk I ever met. He walked directly in to/though me as I said “mr Johnson may I please have you’re autograph?” As I held a ball and pen up with a dbacks hat on. He’s a garbage human as I’ve heard so many similar stories.
Was it a game day? He may have been slated to start. Unit mythology says he was not to be messed with on days he pitched.
The Craziest thing about Randy Johnson is that he was the best pitcher of the 2000s decade by war despite starting the decade at 36 years old. Dude is built different
That's just ridiculous 😂
I've always had a ton of respect for flamethrowers that can still be effective when they get older and lose velocity. That takes some serious grit and humility, to adjust that late in your career and play a different kind of game. Same for Clemens (save for the steroids part) and CC Sabathia.
thats so cool, cool Adam
@@craigwheeler4760 frogs are amphibians, not reptiles. That's a harmful stereotype and common misconception, I would really appreciate if you would educate yourself.
@@craigwheeler4760 but I'm not a lizard person, that's just a conspiracy theory. So I'm only offended because you didn't know that I'm not a lizard. But I'm not, because there's no such thing. But if I were, what you just said would be highly offensive. But it's not, because I'm not.
I had Dbacks season tickets growing up and would go to almost every home game three hours early to catch batting practice and get autographs. Randy would NEVER sign for anyone. One day he was in centerfield warming up and I was standing on the third base line snagging balls. Out of nowhere he runs over to me, gives me his hat and signs a ball for me. This MASSIVE crowd of people notice and start stampeding down towards me and he just turns around and walks away 😂 he was such a bad ass. One of my best childhood memories.
I was 6 living in Mesa when he helped get the Dbacks their first and only world series. I remember everyone in Phoenix going nuts, and the parade was pretty awesome! Some of my fondest memories were going to see their games in the Bank One Ballpark days with Grace and Gonzalez for great hitters, and it felt like the team couldn't be beat when Johnson or Schilling were on the mound
The only game I was able to attend on 2001 was his 20 strikeout game against Cincinnati. And later that year we won the World Series, where Randy won 3 games. What a freaking season.
Cool. I bet kids can't do that today
Saw him hit the dove in Tucson when he was in AAA lol
Damn, rich kid!!
I lived in Seattle when Johnson first arrived and for his first few years while he was having his control issues. Nolan Ryan was on a local sportstalk radio segment one night and out of frustration I called in. They put me on the air. I asked Nolan if it was time for Seattle to cut Randy loose since they had given him plenty of time to develop his "potential". Nolan said he didn't think that would be a wise move. He said he felt Randy was right on the cusp of becoming one of the best pitchers in baseball. Well, we all know what happened. Great video documenting that whole journey.
Wow this is really cool
I’ll tell you makes you feel old… watching Randy play as a prospect then hearing he retired in 2009 😳
Damn Daniel.
Tru Dat.
No joke.
he will forever be remembered
Basically almost every baseball player that i grew up with is retired now. Maybe 100% of them are. I live in Pittsburgh, even Andrew McCutcheon is about to retire. I view him as not even in the same era as the players i grew up with. I remember Barry Bonds in the early 90s when he played for the Pirates. I was in elementary school, but i remember he was really good even before he started taking steroids.
Great overview of the fateful meeting with Nolan Ryan that changed Randy's career, but according to Randy that wasn't the only event that turned the Big Unit from a curiosity to a Hall of Famer. That Christmas, he was flying from Seattle to California to spend the holidays with his parents. Yet in a tragic twist, his father Bud, who was a tough-love figure that instilled in him the tenacity that would follow him his entire life, had suffered a ruptured aortic aneurysm and would die before Randy arrived at the hospital. The incident shook Randy to the core, and initially he thought about giving up baseball. Yet after talking with his family he decided to turn to the game with a renewed intensity. In May of 1992 Sports Illustrated wrote a profile of Randy painting him as a goofball who loved playing pranks on his unsuspecting teammates. That persona went out the window, leaving only the scary dominator that would go down the annals of baseball history.
Yeah...I probably spent too much time researching the career of Randy Johnson. What can I say? He is one of the best!
That sounds like the same thing that killed John Ritter.
Ryan was an extremely intelligent player. He was one of the very few who could teach Randy Johnson what he needed to know. Landing on the front of the foot is something that 99% of coaches would miss. The zone location and strike throwing advice also was very good. Nolan Ryan play 27 years for a reason. He was constantly adjusting his own techniques and arsenal. He perfected the change up in the 1980s that doubled as a screwball. His curveball was probably the second best in the history of baseball. I will give the best curveball award of all time to Bert blyleven. Go watch some of Bert and his curveball if you want a good time
It's similar in that it involved the aorta, the largest blood vessel sending blood to the entire lower half of the body. Bud Johnson died of an aneurysm which was a ballooning of the artery, while John Ritter died of a dissection which is a split in the vessel walls. They're both leaking of the artery and are sadly often fatal.
You probably just read the Baseball 100. :)
@@dalethelander3781
Yeah, my dad went like that. I lived an hour away from the hospital and when I got there, he was long gone. It was extremely sudden, he was a goner about the same time he hit the floor. Obviously I still want him around but if that's how it has to go, I'd rather have it be quick like that.
You are really missing out on alot of Randy. I went to highschool with Randy and he was a really good friend, playing basketball and baseball. Livermore highschool, thank you Randy. Not many people would go to baseball games, home games awesome. Thank you Randy for all those wonderful games.
The Big Unit, Griffey, Martinez, and Dave Niehaus made for some magical childhood summers
Randy is another one of those guys who absolutely deserved a 100% ballot. One of the greatest of greats.
And they should yank the credentials of all the voters who did not vote for him.
I would argue that half or more of those in the hall deserved 100%. Its ridiculous it took so long for it to happen, and then the very next year one idiot brought the tradition back by not voting for a no brainer in Jeter.
@@snerdterguson steroid cheaters
@@sethtenrec I didn’t name anyone but Jeter and it is laughable to suggest he was on steroids.
@@snerdterguson The topic is Randy Johnson
Me and my entire 5th grade class went to that no-hitter game at the Kingdome in 1990. Eventhough I knew it was a no-hitter at the time, I was having more fun with my friends playing Gameboy and bullshitting how we did. It took me a few years to realize we were part of that history.
The Mariners in the King Dome during the 1990's was a special time. I just left a comment above you might want to read. I just scrolled down & saw your comment. You're right, it was an historic time in the modern era of baseball.
Gameboys were out in 90? Didn't think anything past regular Nintendo was
@@TheLegendBrolySS yep they where released in 1989
that's some field trip!
@@stephenm8725 It really was. We even had our school name posted on the jumbotron!
I used to go to Diamondbacks games as a kid, often sitting behind home plate. From my seat, I thought my life was at risk every time he would pitch.
But one time, he was leaving a game, walking toward the dugout. He looked pissed about the bad outing, but 9 year old me yelled “I love you no matter what Randy”, and he looked at me in the eye and tipped his cap. I will never forget that. From that day on, I was less afraid of him whenever he pitched.
In my time living in the Valley, I wish my dad would have bought me tickets to see Johnson pitch. That’s something I’ve always resented.
That's a great story
how much money did your family have to go to MLB games often and sit behind home plate
@@micaliza2015 that’s not any of your business, but my dad did sell an ATV so we could go to a World Series game, so maybe that gives you an idea
@@micaliza2015 It was also way less expensive to do that back then, even accounting for inflation. These days it's unreasonably expensive but like most things, it wasn't always that way.
As a giants fan I am forever thankful for his help, Tim lincecum was a favorite of mine as a child and knowing that randy johnson taught him was just even more excitement for me.
i’d always wondered what nolan ryan told randy, i was aware that randy’s mechanics changed after talking to ryan but never knew what exactly changed. being able to not only hear the full details but see examples on screen as well was absolutely fantastic. great video man!
Look up Tom House who was the pitching coach with the Rangers at the time. Ryan made the introduction but House is actually the person that helped change his mechanics the most.
I remember reading an SI article about Johnson in the late nineties. It said because of his arm length and delivery, Johnson released the baseball three feet behind a left hander’s back. God Almighty. I’d become a switch-hitter immediately.
Ask Larry Walker how that worked.
Lefties said the ball felt like it was headed towards their neck...
@@dukedematteo1995 no way did u watch the video or something ?
“Control problems that would make 50 Cent blush.” 🤣 This is exactly why you’re the best, BH.
Growing up as a Mariners fan, I will never forget that Kruk duel from the All Star game. I was laughing for days afterwards.
I thought Kruk noped out of that at bat.
That was an epic allstar moment
I also grew up as a Mariners fan, and Randy was one of my favorite players.
Phillies fan and loved Kruk. Kruk was one tough dude too, so that made it even more hilarious.
One of my Favorite sporting memories growing up was seeing Randy Johnson strike out 20 Reds in a game. Absolutely incredible to see in person.
Dbacks used to give out free thirstbusters after like 10Ks. I remember being so excited for those that night, too!
Randy Johnson was one of the pitchers that I looked up to growing up playing baseball. Now, granted, he was lefthanded and 6'10, whereas I was 5'6" and righthanded.
A boy could dream though
I think every regular sized human looks up to him🤣
Had a teammate who wore 51 bc of randy. He was a lefty pitcher but was really only a junk ball pitchers. Curveball, change up and splitters. Rarely shook yes when I put the one down.
Same as well as doing both the Griffey batting stance as well as Sammy Sosa's
I live in Arizona and I often see Randy at NHRA drag racing, seen him at Slayer and Slipknot shows. I once was up against the guard rail at a slayer show and he was the only photographer that stayed in front almost the whole show most of them are supposed to leave after the first few songs but security and the bands all treat him like the legend he is. Also cool to see him take a knee to take photos and his leg is so long the security guards had to make sure they didn’t trip over it 😂🤣
He was phenomenal! He was one of baseball's best starting pitchers for over two decades and used basically only two pitches.
Two pitches is plenty if they're good. Mr. Koufax had only two pitches: a fastball you couldn't hit and a curve you couldn't hit.
Every time I see a bird I think of Randy Johnson.
*dead bird
Birds aren't real.
Everytime i see Randy, i take a moment of silence for Slider the Seagul.
@@88unstopable Not since Randy Johnson learned to pitch they aren't.
I remember seeing him pregame at Fenway once while he was in Seattle and just couldn't deal with how much taller he was than everyone else.
One of the best big guys to do it. The fact that my favorite pitcher had a son moment with my second favorite pitcher and set him on the path of greatness makes this even better. Funny how stuff like that works out.
I'm a 3rd generation Arizona born in Phoenix in 1978 and for me Randy is still the most dominant athlete at his sport in Arizona sports history. When he pitched it was appointment tv, seeing him dominate the World Series and just have a great playoff run in general was so satisfying not just as a fan of the home team but because while he did have some bad playoff performances he was also unfairly dinged for performances where he was excellent but his team didn't score. Unfortunately and fortunately at the same time, I'll never forget his perfect game. I turned on the game but got news my grandfather's cancer was terminal, I had to call my dad to tell him and my dad was so broken up he couldn't even talk to me and had to hang up. It was just depressing all around and because I was so bummed out I just sat there on the couch not moving and watching the game. While hearing that news was devastating at the very least watching him have a perfect game put a smile on my face for a brief moment.
There was a guy in my High School who threw 95 legit. I ended up catching him all of his senior year because I wasn't afraid of him.
95mph from behind the plate is unsettling. You have no time. You basically throw down the 1-4 signal(4 seamer) put your mitt in the TZ and pray. Broke my hand 3 times with him. He had a normal release.
Randy, with the odd angle, the blistering heat on everything he threw, and the closer release point, must've been a nightmare for his Catchers. Imagine having to catch that slider. Any backstop who caught him more than once deserves kudos. It must have been a unique experience. You'd almost have to have a personal catcher.
For me, I couldn't catch anybody but Scooter, my dude. Coaches liked me, wanted me back there for everyone. Couldn't because, after catching Scooter, I'd instinctively close my mitt too soon with everyone else. I'm betting this was the case for Randy. Somebody had to be his dude. You'd have to be his shadow. Every Pen sesh, the dry runs, all of it. At least that was my experience. But my guy didn't throw trips or sidearm, so I'm just riffing.
I played 2nd base but that was insightful what u said. Can totally understand closing mitt too early after catchn heat for so long...
@@stevennewman8276 Ya. It was like going from Clemens to Wakefield. Just completely different. Caught Scoot recently at a HS reunion game. Still hitting 91. Crazy
@@thequixoticangler3364 damn. I caught a little in 13-14 yr old fast pitch. Nowhere near 90's tho!
@@stevennewman8276 Second base is the most specific position in baseball IMO. I was never on a team where the best fielder didn't play 2b. Requires everything in the field skill wise.
@@thequixoticangler3364 u def gotta be on ur toes & know where to b in reflex time!
Randy Johnson the most wanted man in Birdlandia and Batlandia.
Thats a dangerrrrrrrrrous dude.
I use to love watching Randy Johnson pitch when I was younger. I wasn't the biggest baseball fan back then, but I would always watch his highlights and watch games when he pitched.
Randy Johnson’s time in Arizona from 99-04 alone would put him into the HoF. That is how dominant he was. During the peak of the steroid era, other then peak Pedro (99-2000), randy was the only other pitcher where you could turn on the tv and have a legitimate expectation to see a perfect game. Dude was a different beast.
Never before has a mustache so perfectly belonged on a face as Randy Johnson's.
Nolan Ryan was the most terrifying pitcher ever. He threw well over a hundred and was wild as shit in his younger years and then when he got control made them think he was wild at times and pitched inside.
Randall was indeed one scary man.
Why did i never connect that randy is a nickname of randall?
I'm so glad I got to see him pitch. I don't think I've ever seen a more intriguing pitcher in my life.
Perhaps my most sacred early childhood memory was getting to be at games 6 and 7 of the 2001 WS. Schilling was electric, but the Big Unit was different. Man helped deliver the only championship in major AZ sports history - forever a Valley legend.
The greatest WS ever. Yeah, it was different for Randy, he had insane run support that series.
You saw such great power pitching from 3 of the era's great strike out pitchers. Unit & Schilling were co MVPs for their great performances, and had the Yankees held on in the Bottom 9th, Clemens would have gotten WS MVP for his must win pitching in Game 3, and matching Schilling inning for inning in Game 7...w/ 10 Ks.
The greatest WS ever.
It's always baffled me how the Expos gave up on him so quick, I get that he was wild and unrefined, but damn man, 6'10" with triple digits and that ridiculous arm angle, you gotta work with a guy like that and try to smooth out the rough edges.
The last organization to listen to reason would have been Montreal.
If the po's hadn't been prone to those kinds of mistakes- plus every other kind- everyone wouldn't be asking ' Montreal had a team? When was this?'
The Expos team was close to be sold to new management and the owner wanted to win right now... Mark Langston, the player MTL received for Johnson and 2 other guys, was one of the best lefty at the time. It was a huge deal, having Langston in Montreal.
Im born and raised in Boston and Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey Jr were my favorite baseball players and still are. Griffey scoring from 1st in the 1995 ALDS Game 5 against the Yankees is my greatest baseball memory as a little kid until Sox 04 but Griffey will always be my favorite athlete of all time along with Randy
Mine too. Couldn’t agree with you anymore.
I saw one of Randy's starts in 1998 with the Astros after they traded for him in August of that season. It was awesome to witness in person, the energy was electric and the opposing team stood no chance
When Randy Johnson got to Houston, he turned into a monster. Maddux's control plus that high 90s heat. And his slider was unhittable too.
Unfortunately people only remember the playoffs that year, where he pitched great but where his lazy critics like to point to his playoff failures as though it was his fault his team didn't score, but for the 11 or 12 games he was with Houston during the regular season he was unbelievable. That was an incredible stretch of pitching that is right up there with anyone.
Seeing Johnson pitch was indescribably awesome. Among the best pitchers ever, best leftie ever IMO.
I was at the game where he came in as a reliever for the first time. That place was ROCKING.
I was at that 6th no hitter by Nolan Ryan in Oakland. The things that stick out to me today is that Canseco and McGwire were both taking a break that night and didn’t play. Terry Steinbach, who normally caught, was the DH. And Ron Hassey, the backup catcher, was batting clean up.
The image of Rush at their final show in LA that is on the cover of their R40 dvd was taken by Randy Johnson
thats fkn badass. I like him even more now haha RIP Neil Peart 🙏
That explosion of the bird. Craaaaaazy. Like the squirrels who keep trying to beat cars, and don’t. The ultimate whoooopsie.
I enjoyed this broadcast. Great content, perfect mic sound, and awesome music at the perfect volume.
Randy is the man! He's all rock n roll!
I did car audio and security install when I was in phoenix and got to work on his hummer, the big original sob. Imagine getting into the car, setting back in the seat and when you look out the side you are looking out the rear window. I remember putting my arms and legs out to reach for the controls and feeling like a toddler trying to drive as I was 3 ft from reaching anything. I scooted the seat all the way forward and then I STILL was 8" short. The reason he was such a wicked pitcher is by the time he let go of the ball he was only 3 ft from the plate......
Randy and Pedro were such a quality duo of elite pitchers playing baseball at the same time
Randy Johnson was above and beyond any other wrestler, basketball player, or baseball player. Dude was everything to me. I might not be 32 and a baseball fan if it wasn't for the Big Unit and the 01 Diamondbacks
The dude looked terrifying, like he just woke up from his bed in a cornfield, walked out of said cornfield and just started throwing 98mph heat.
I've been waiting for a proper video on Johnson, THANK YEW
Thanks for mentioning the Rush thing at the end. I was on my way here to type it in if it wasn’t mentioned. 😆
I’m a HUGE Rush fan as well, so that really endears Randy to me. Plus he’s just a badass pitcher. One of the all time greats IMO.
Beautifully done, loved your presentation. Keep it up!
Growing up in Indianapolis, my grandpa took us to see an Indianapolis Indians game. Randy Johnson was pitching. Being a kid I remember how tall he looked to me. Great job keep it up
Really enjoyed this video on the big unit thanks!
I really liked your video, it was presented well and the bit about Nolan Ryan really tied it all together. Great job
The compilation of players talking about having to face him 😍 **chef kiss**
My favorite memory of him is at the All-star game when he was the starter and John kruk came up to bat and he threw a heater at him then went and turned his helmet around and batted lefty that was great
I would start my franchise with this guy. The GOAT imo.
Imagine a Roster with Gred Maddux, Randy Johnson, Prime Dwight Gooden, Roger Clemens and Tom Glavine for your starting pitching. A team that would be unhittable.
*shows the bird explosion*
BH: "There, ya happy?"
Me: "Yes... yes I am."
Yes, I am happy. As a Phillies fan, my top 2 rules are if you show Randy Johnson you have to show him killing the bird, and if you show Joe Blanton in Philly you have to show him hitting a homer in the 2008 WS.
Anyone remember the movie "Little Big League" where, near the end of the movie Randy was walking towards the pitcher's mount?
That was the first time I ever saw the guy and I thought "Oh my God, who is this?!".
So yeah honestly, I think he could just be terrifying in general if he wanted to...
Crazy I grew up about 30 mins from Livermore and never knew who Randy was until I started watching major league ball
Lord he was sick. It wasn't just his raw talent - it was his whole deal. His facial expressions, the height, the attitude, his lanky body style, the long hair. It was just horrifying as a batter.
Quality video. Good job man
Randy Johnson's peak came at a time where my baseball watching (in fact, most pro sports) was at a minimum. Your video gave me a great picture of Randy during that time.
I grew up in Washington State. I was a young teenager with zits when Seattle got him, and just the threat of having a similar face scared the hell out of me. But listening on the radio to him rack up the K's is unforgettable.
[Edit]: I was at that Nolan Ryan game in '92. Only saw two M's games in the Kingdome.
What made Randy one of the most scariest pitchers in baseball was not his fast ball imo but his slider was one of the best I have ever seen in baseball history. Sometimes it would have a 12-4 o'clock motion which went into the dirt and was almost impossible to hit. I loved watching him pitch in the early 90's. One of my favorite pitchers of all time right next to Greg Maddux.
I remember the time I saw Randy pitch in a game, and see a tendon in his arm come out of place horribly on a pitch, rippling up and down his arm and forearm to the side, like a long whiplash, causing him to an injury that day
Watched Randy Johnson pitch many times at the King Dome in Seattle. The 1990's were an exciting if not rare time in history to watch the Mariners with so much talent on one team. Randy Johnson (the Big Unit) still a bit of a wild man at the start of his career with the Mariners did progress rapidly into a terrifying force; Ken Griffey Jr. & Ken Griffey Sr. both playing for the same team at the same time. Alex Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner & so many more great players I can't recall at the moment. Oh yeah, of course Lou Piniella as manager. Lots of exciting, entertaining home games & man was that old King Dome loud with foot-stomps & chants! The entire stadium vibrated & echoed with deafening roars.
A very fun time to go to a game but try as they might, as good as their regular season games were & despite being in the playoffs, they couldn't pull a championship together & always seemed to choke. Heaps of fond memories non the less. I always cringed a little at the nicknames & abbreviations for the players; ie: "Big Unit", "A-Rod" etc. What were they really referring to? Were they really just harmless, family friendly monikers? Thanks for the upload about the big scary Randy Johnson. Gave you a thumbs up for this one. Cheers.
The reaction time part reminded me of pre-teen baseball pitching. I would step back on my left foot, bring both my hands with it, then spring off my left toe (kicking backwards) onto my whole right foot. The prep alone looked like I was going to take longer. Then I would make it look like I was going bring the ball back to my glove while I'm actually starting the pitch behind it. Basically blocking view of my right arm with my glove in a position that looked ready for my hand to return.
Can't forget the time when he was with the D'Backs, they got into a scuffle with the Giants, dustpile clears and he picks up the wrong hat and wore a Giants hat for a whole minute. Cracks me up every time I watch it! Hahaha. What a legend!
I dont watch baseball anymore but when i played in high school it was the Maddox,Glavin,Smoltz,Dennis E,Randy,some of Nolan era...i was an A's fan back then. Henderson,Cansaco,Ekerzly,McGuire...good team
I'm a Cubs fan and remembered Randy pitching for the Expos - and damn, did they ever have a pipeline running through there until the league let them down - in the game where you showed the clip of him striking out Ryne Sandberg.
At 6'10", he looked like a circus freak, like if one of those inflatable thingies in front of used car dealerships was trying to pitch. But you could tell if he could figure out how to get his Transformer of a body pushing everything in the right direction, he would be a dynamo.
Luckily the Expos went all-in for the NL East in '89 and the Cubs beat them anyway, thanks in no small part to a three-game sweep in Wrigley.
That team almost had Randy and Pedro on it. Damn. But instead Randy went to the AL and learned from the best how to properly melt a batter's face. Everybody won except Montreal. Again.
The Expos were royally fucked over by the strike, had that never happened they would've won the World Series and gotten a new ballpark in Montreal.
Always loved Randy when he was in Seattle.
Audio question: any chance you can turn up the volume on your videos? They are about 30% quieter than the commercials that play within them and the rest of CZcams. Thanks!
Johnson and Koufax are easily the 2 best southpaws ever. Can you imagine having him coming off the mound at 6'10" throwing 100 mph. I like sidearm pitchers. I didn't know Nolan Ryan could coach as well as pitch.
Somehow I never heard about the nolan ryan talk. I started watching baseball in about 86 and randy, nolan and kerry wood are my favorite pitchers. That's pretty fricking cool!
My best memory of Johnson was him in the 95 playoffs with Seattle. Dude was an absolute monster. Special player
When he hooked up with our Curt schilling from Philly you had two of the best pictures in baseball
I've always thought of prime RJ as Nolan Ryan on crack. He had everything Nolan had but once it all clicked on 93, someone who walked even less guys that him.
I saw him pitch at Camden Yards against the Orioles in April of 1992. He was CRAZY.
He walked 10 guys , and struck out 13 . He was Amazing to watch.
The Orioles took advantage of those Walks and won 15-1.
My first time at Camden Yards.
He will always be a Mariner! Love you Randy! We miss you in Seattle. So glad I was at yours and Dan Wilson retirement game. Best pitcher-catcher duo ever. Sure I’m biased being from Seattle but I have a strong argument
Sorry, but Randy is, and always will be a Diamondback. Both in accolades and tenure, he was his best in AZ.
I saw Randy Johnson in Seattle warming up by throwing to his team mate in the outfield. He start close and then it got further. The further it got the straighter the ball, like a laser. Velocity dramaticly increased and he threw it harder and faster than all of the players warming up in the ballpark. You can't help noticing the contrast.
Saw a Randy Johnson and Mark McGwire matchup on a TV Broadcast from Seattle years ago. Johnson threw a Fastball down the middle of the plate, McGwire TAGGED it! The Only reason the ball stayed in the stadium is it hit the Façade of the Upper Box seats with a resounding "WHACK!" It was AWESOME! Johnson was a "Beast," but so was McGwire...even without the 'Roids!
Great video. Those Arizona days were amazing
Damn learned from the great Nolsn Ryan and dominated the league passing the torch to Tim and the giants. YOUR FOREVER THE BIG UNIT. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
My buddy Brad was behind the plate that game. RIP Brad. Miss you bud
7:29 and he was screaming "LETS GO" years before the norm
We can all agree Randy has one of, if not the, best nicknames in the game
Spring Training 1997. Scottsdale Stadium. I saw Randy Johnson hit Giants 1st baseman JT Snow in the face. JT was down for a long time. Eventually they put him in an ambulance to take him to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital. It must have been quite a pitch as the hospital entrance is literally 350 feet away from home plate.
I also use to go to a lot of Diamondback games and sit above the Dback's bullpen. The loud thumps of Randy's pitchers a bit scary. I knew I would never play in the big leagues. Plus I was in my late 20s
....in his generation. We also had this man named JR Richard and he had a slider. And he was not afraid to go inside.
I met him at SeaTac Airport when all flights were snowed in, once. Towered over everyone else. Otherwise, seemed down-to-earth. Still had the mullet, at the time.
Growing up in Seattle I was always told as a kid that Randy Johnson was an asshole to kids. Looking back on it now I think mariners fans were just mad he left and went on to such great success
I never resented Randy for leaving, it felt pretty understandable for me. Nothing like the kind of animosity we felt towards Alex Rodriguez for leaving.
His security system is his arm and bag full of baseballs.
That perfect game Johnson threw was epic.i remember when he struck out the last batter, Robbie Hammock jumped up in the air and that actually got Johnson to laugh. Something you never saw from him.
That slider of his is probably the best I've ever seen.
Been waiting on this one 👍🏻
one of my favorite im glad i can watch all his career
I grew up as a Cleveland fan and Randy Johnson was the only non Indian my Dad would ever get excited about.
Good stuff. Worth the wait.