When he was on top of his game, there was nobody as intimidating and as dominating as Johnson. He is with out a doubt a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer.
Is he the greatest lefthanded pitcher ever? That I can’t answer. I certainly never saw Eddie Plank, Lefty Grove, Warren Spahn or Carl Hubbell pitch. And I only saw Steve Carlton towards the end of his career when he was hanging on with Phillies, Indians, and Twins.
What I can tell you is that he is the best lefthanded pitcher of the last 25 years. His only competition would be Tom Glavine, and I would take Johnson any day of the week over Glavine—and twice on Sunday. I am not even sure that is an argument.
For my money, if I had to pick one pitcher in his prime to win me game seven of the World Series, Randy Johnson would be that pitcher. I am sure the Johnson detractors (Mostly Yankee fans who saw Johnson crumble in the postseason when he was with them) will point to his 7-9 postseason record and say Johnson didn’t do it when it counted. That is the biggest bunch of Tom Foolery I have ever heard.
In 1995 with Seattle and in 2001 with Arizona, Johnson single handily beat the Yankees in both series. He went 3-0, won the World Series MVP in the 2001 World Series and even pitched in relief on one day’s rest. Period. End of Argument.
Congratulations Mr. Johnson on winning your 300th career game. I guess the only question remaining with Randy Johnson is whether or not he goes into the Hall of Fame as a Mariner or as a Diamondback?
- Login to post comments