Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson is a five-time Cy Young Award-winning left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball. He holds the Major League record for most strikeouts by a left-hander, with over 4,600 and counting.

On February 27, 2009, Randy Johnson pitched his first spring training exhibition game against the Royals, going two innings and giving up one hit and striking out two. Johnson commented that he felt great physically.MLB: Big Unit pain-free in his first outing (February 27, 2009)

1. Full name: Randall David Johnson
2. Born: September 10, 1963
3. Height: 6'10"
4. Weight: 225 lbs
5. College: University of Southern California
6. Bats: Right
7. Throws: Left
8. Nick name: Big Unit
9. Signature pitch: Fastball
10. 1988: Debuted with Montreal Expos
11. 5-time Cy Young Award Winner

A native of Walnut Creek, California, Johnson showed promise as a high school pitcher, and debuted with the Montreal Expos briefly in 1988 and 1989, before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in 1989 in a deal involving Mark Langston. In his early years, the towering 6'10" left-hander exhibited severe control problems, leading the American League in walks every season between 1990 and 1992.MLB.com: Randy Johnson Bio

On the mound, Johnson is an intimidating presence, partly due to his height, and partly due to his aggressive and angry demeanor towards hitters. After a meeting with future Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, Johnson adjusted his delivery and soon became one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball. He won his first Cy Young Award as a member of the Mariners in 1995, and after signing a lucrative free agent deal with the recently constituted Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999, went on to win the Cy Young Award every year between 1999 and 2002, and led the Diamondbacks to a World Series victory over the New York Yankees in 2001.MLB.com: Randy Johnson Bio

In 2005, Johnson signed with the New York Yankees, pitching for the storied franchise through the end of the 2006 season. In 2007, the Yankees traded Johnson back to the Diamondbacks, and despite nagging back injuries and advancing age, is still a feared presence on the mound.MLB.com: Randy Johnson Bio In 2008, after not being able to work out an extension with the Diamondbacks, Randy Johnson signed a one year deal with the San Francisco Giants. Johnson will attempt to get his 300th win in Major league Baseball with the Giants in 2009.MLB.com: Randy Johnson Bio

On December 26, 2008, Randy Johnson signed a one year deal with the San Francisco Giants. In 2008, Johnson went 11-10 with a 3.91 earned run average for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The San Francisco deal is a homecoming of sorts for Johnson, who was born in nearby Walnut Creek.ESPN.com: Randy Johnson, Giants agree to 1 year deal(December 26, 2008)

• ESPN Video: Big Unit, Giants agree to one-year deal (Time: 1:25)

• ESPN.com: Randy Johnson, Giants agree to 1 year deal (December 26, 2008)

• ESPN.com: Unable to reach deal with Diamondbacks, Johnson files for free agency (November 13, 2008)

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• Mahalo's Guide to the San Francisco Giants
• MLB.com: Career Stats
  • Height: 6-10
  • Weight: 230
  • Rookie Year: 1988