Ex-Diamondback Randy Johnson is a Lock for the Hall of Fame
By Thomas Lynch
Randy Johnson will be the first Diamondback to enter the Hall of Fame. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes, the obvious needs to be stated. After all, when you are a team that just finished having the worst record in baseball and your Hall of Fame register is basically a blank page, you need to say things loud and clear. So I give you this: in January, former Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitcher Randy Johnson will get the call that he is one of the newest members of the Hall of Fame.
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Johnson will be part of the class of 2015 that will also feature Pedro Martinez and perhaps John Smoltz as well as Craig Biggio. As for that other star D’backs’ pitcher Curt Schilling, he will probably have to wait another year. Nevertheless, the Snakes will finally have a Hall of Famer to call their own. Sorry, I don’t count Roberto Alomar as a D’backs’ Hall of Famer considering his resume is 125 plate appearances in 2004. While it is true the Big Unit spent more time in Seattle than in Phoenix, the majority of his career milestones were achieved in the desert.
Four of his five Cy Young Awards came with the D’backs. More astounding is that they were all right in a row, beginning in 1999. He won a World Series title in Arizona in 2001, being named the Series Co-MVP with Schilling. Johnson threw baseball’s 17th perfect game on May 18, 2004 against the Atlanta Braves. The Unit struck out 372 batters in 2001, the fourth highest total since 1900. About the only Arizona notch missing was his 300th career victory which came as a member of the San Francisco Giants on June 4th, 2009. He might just be the 24th and final member of that exclusive club.
Will he wear Mariner Blue or Sedona Red (or teal) upon enshrinement? We’ll find that out next year. No matter which team he chooses, Randy Johnson will always be associated with the Diamondbacks.