Randy Johnson retires

[henks]

Big Unit is going to call it quits after 22 seasons.

Randy Johnson retires after 22 seasons - Yahoo! News

[DirtyKash]

It would be epic if Pedro Martinez also retires, and both head into the Hall of Fame in 2015 wearing Expos logos on their plaques.
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[redsrbetter]

Excellent thought DK!

I was shocked when I heard it on the radio this afternoon. Then I came to my senses and realized that he likely didn't want his career numbers to suffer. The guy was the most feared pitcher since I have been born. Absolute first ballot HOF. He is second all-time on the strikeout list to Nolan Ryan if I am not mistaken. I will miss him for sure.

Congrats to the Big Unit! That nickname never gets old. Especially with the last name.

[henks]

You are correct on both accounts redsr. I wanna say something like 4,576 k's or something like that.

[DirtyKash]

4,875 strikeouts, actually.

[redsrbetter]

Orestes Destrade being the first victim...Congrats to him.

[DirtyKash]

Now. What are the odds that this isn't a real retirement? That he comes back Brett Favre style or Roger Clemens style (by spring training), or even like Justine Henin or Michael Jordan (after 1-2 years). I'll say 10%.

[redsrbetter]

Afterall, he did say that he just wanted a clear mind. Once his mind is clear, will he come back? Good point. I say 15%.

Also, what cap does he don at the HOF induction? I say DBacks.

[realmofotalk]

Unless the Mariners can't get past the nostalgia, he is finished. The Giants put him out to pasture in the bullpen, the Dbags have moved on, he was a bust for New York, and he never wanted to play for the Dodgers.

[DirtyKash]

The Mariners already have the nostalgia factor covered with the potential final season for Grumpy Jr. It's going to be a year-long farewell tour.

[realmofotalk]

I also should say that for me it was surreal to witness both Kevin Brown (second from left) and Randy Johnson pitch for the same team. The former we signed (regrettably in hindsight) after we tried and failed (regrettably) to sign the latter. I'll leave the other two guys in this photo for Yankee fans to reflect on, regrettably.

[missionhockey21]

I am just glad Johnson reached the 300 win mark, and it wasn't a bad effort at all (all things considered) with how he did it last year. Still posted a +8 K/9.

I do think if he said he is done, he is done, but who knows.

Obviously a 1st ballot HoF without question. The kind of first ballot type of player that it wouldn't matter if he slept with a writer's wife or called their kid ugly, he is just that good.

[Porter]

It would be epic if Pedro Martinez also retires, and both head into the Hall of Fame in 2015 wearing Expos logos on their plaques.
Posted via Mobile Device

It would be epic. Only if Randy actually pitched in Montreal to make it legit. No wait, Unit is going in as an Mariner. He was one of the main reasons, if not, the major reason why the M's did not go to Tampa Bay after his incredible 1995 season.

[Providence A's]

Yeah, my guess is Johnson goes in as a Mariner and Pedro goes in as a Red Sux.

[aTrUeCUBsFaN]

No wait, Unit is going in as an Mariner. He was one of the main reasons, if not, the major reason why the M's did not go to Tampa Bay after his incredible 1995 season.

Did not know that.

I do hope he's really retiring. He's got the achievements he could get. Why come back and worse his stats or get some fans be frustrated with him?