Randy Johnson

Not many MLB pitchers have dominated like the “Big Unit” Randy Johnson has.

Randy Johnson was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1988, but was almost immediately dealt to the Seattle Mariners for Mark Langston. The wild lefty had issues with control early in his career and led the AL in walks for three consecutive seasons from 1990 though 1992.

The “Big Unit” spent most of his career in Seattle from 1990 to 1998. There, he won the Cy Young award in 1995, as well as led the AL in ERA that same season.

Randy Johnson went on to pitch for the Houston Astros (1998), the Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004, 2008-present) and the New York Yankees (2005-2006)

Johnson is a five-time Cy Young Award winner (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002), a 10-time All-Star selection and won a World Series title with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. He also led the NL in ERA in 1999, 2001 and 2002, as well as in wins in 2002.

In 1999 and 2002, Randy Johnson also led the NL in innings pitches and on five separate occasions, led the NL in strikeouts as well. Johnson led the AL in strikeouts four consecutive years from 1992 to 1995 and is second all-time in strikeouts with 4,730.

Randy Johnson throws so hard that once in a spring training game in March of 2001, he threw a fastball that struck and killed a dove that had flown in the path of the pitch. In replays, the bird looked like it exploded in mid-air.

Another claim to fame that the “Big Unit” owns is being the first pitcher to ever strike out legend Wade Boggs three times in one game. He also threw a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers in 1990.

The lengthy lefthander was feared just as much for his amazing fastball as he was his height, mullet and mustache. His nasty demeanor when he was on the hill often intimidated hitters and even at 44, he can still rock back and unleash a high-90s fastball.