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.

Derek Jeter

From Mickey Mantle to Lou Gehrig to Joe DiMaggio, the New York Yankees have had their fair share of legends don the pinstripes. Soon enough, shortstop Derek Jeter will be mentioned in the same breath as the names previously mentioned. That is, if his name already isn’t currently being mentioned among those greats.

In his first year as a full-time player, Derek Jeter was named the starting shortstop of the New York Yankees, a role he has yet to relinquish. He was named an Opening Day starter in 1996 and as a rookie, he hit .314 with 10 home runs and 78 RBI. Those numbers were good enough to earn him the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year.

Jeter never looked back after having an incredible rookie campaign. He’s currently a nine-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He was also honored with the Babe Ruth Award in 2000, was the MLB All-Star Game MVP in 2000 and won the AL Hank Aaron Award in 2006.

Perhaps more important than his career stats is that Jeter has helped the Yankees win four World Series titles. After winning a championship as a rookie in 1996, the Yankee captain has helped the Bronx Bombers win three-consecutive titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Derek Jeter is one of the most recognizable players in baseball, if not of any sport in the U.S. He’s a born leader and has a charismatic personality that the New York media eats up. Many players have been chewed up and spitted out by the “Bronx Zoo,” but not Jeter.

Even though some consider him overrated as a defender, nobody can argue that Jeter gives his all on every single play. Multiple times he’s given up his body on plays, which includes diving head first into the stands to produce outs. He’s the ultimate team player who always appears focused and determined.

Other shortstops might have better numbers or more awards, but arguably none of them mean as much to their teams as Derek Jeter has meant to the New York Yankees. If he’s not considered a legend now, he will be in due time.