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Randy Johnson’s number to be retired by D-Backs in 2015

By Ethan Finkelstein

May 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Randy Johnson throws out the first pitch at Chase Field to honor the 10th anniversary of his perfect game against the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Randy Johnson throws out the first pitch at Chase Field to honor the 10th anniversary of his perfect game against the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Diamondbacks will retire Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2015 inductee Randy Johnson’s number during the upcoming MLB season.

On Tuesday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame inducted four new members; Craig Biggio, John Smoltz, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson. All of these men transcended the game and stood above the majority of their peers for quite some time. The latter, perhaps, was arguably the greatest left handed pitcher of all time. And the most dominant stretch in his brilliant career came as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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It is because of this that the team will retire Johnson’s number 51 at some point in the 2015 Major League Baseball season. During his eight years with the organization, the “Big Unit” compiled a record of 118-62, to go along with 2,077 strikeouts, and a 2.83 ERA. All three statistics are franchise records. He was an integral part of the D-Backs championship team in 2001, sharing World Series co-MVP honors with fellow starter Curt Schilling. From 1999-2002, he won four consecutive National League Cy Young Awards, matching a feat only previously accomplished by class of 2014 inductee Greg Maddux (1992-1995). In 2002, he won the NL’s pitching triple crown, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (334), and ERA (2.32). On May 18, 2004, Johnson became the oldest pitcher in history to complete a perfect game. It was his second no-hitter overall, with the first coming back on June 2, 1990.

Johnson’s number 51 is also retired by the Seattle Mariners with whom he pitched from 1989-1998. During his time in Seattle, he accumulated a record of 130-74, with 2162 strikeouts (a franchise record), and an ERA of 3.42. He also won the 1995 American League Cy Young Award.

Johnson’s legendary career is simply eye-popping in virtually every regard. Playing the overwhelming majority of his career during the most prolific offensive era in baseball history, the “Big Unit” compiled a stat line that will likely remain unmatched for a long time, even as hitting figures drop off in the waning years. Following the 2009 season, Johnson retired with a career record of 303-166, with an ERA of 3.29. His 4,875 strikeouts are the most ever by a lefty, and second only to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan (5,714) in MLB history.

He won five league Cy Young Awards; only Roger Clemens (seven) has more. His rate of 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings is tops in baseball history among qualifying pitchers. During his career, he led his league in wins once, nine times in strikeouts, and four times in ERA. His seven 300 strikeout seasons are a major league record, one more than the aforementioned Ryan with six.

The only thing left for Johnson before July’s enshrinment ceremony; which team’s emblem, Arizona or Seattle, does he wear on his plaque’s cap? We will save that debate for the fellas in Cooperstown.

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