About the Back: Later in his career, the Big Unit topped that 18-K performance three times, culminating in an MLB-record-tying 20 strikeouts against the Reds on May 8, 2001.
Triple Play:
1. Johnson no-hit the Tigers on June 2, 1990, scattering six walks. On May 18, 2004, he hurled a perfect game against the Braves, striking out 13 batters.
2. An exhaustive yet non-comprehensive list of Randy's accolades includes: a 303-166 record, 3.29 ERA (135 ERA+), 100 complete games, 37 shutouts, and 4,875 strikeouts (second only to Nolan Ryan). His 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings is the best career ratio in MLB history. The towering lefty led his league in winning percentage and ERA four times each and was a nine-time league leader in strikeouts. He won five Cy Young Awards (including four straight, 1999-2002), and was runner-up in three other seasons. He was co-MVP with Curt Schilling in the 2001 World Series, when he earned the win in three of the Diamondbacks' four Series wins and allowed two runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out 19 batters in 17.1 innings. Just last month, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
3. After retiring from baseball, Johnson took up photojournalism, and can be seen plying his trade at rock concerts and NASCAR events.
11-Year-Old Kevin Says: On June 5, 1995, I sat in Oriole Park at Camden Yards and watched Randy hurl a three-hit, one-walk, 12-strikeout gem against Baltimore. He got 18 straight outs to end the game.
Bill James Said: "His control has improved dramatically, his walks per game dropping by 49% in the last two years."
On This Date in 1993: August 3. 45-year-old Charlie Hough's knuckleball confounds the Cardinals, as he tosses eight scoreless innings while allowing six hits and a walk and whiffing five. A Benito Santiago home run off of Donovan Osbourne accounts for all of the scoring in a 1-0 Marlins victory. Bryan Harvey pitches a perfect ninth for his 32nd save.
.....then Mr. Harvey walked back to his log cabin and hung out in full uniform on the porch to watch the sunset.
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