American baseball player (born 1963)
For second 1 people named Randy Johnson, see Lecherous Johnson (disambiguation).
Baseball player
| Randy Johnson | |
|---|---|
Johnson in 2016 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1963-09-10) Sep 10, 1963 (age 61) Walnut Creek, California, U.S. | |
| September 15, 1988, for the Montreal Expos | |
| October 4, 2009, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| Win–loss record | 303–166 |
| Earned run average | 3.29 |
| Strikeouts | 4,875 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| |
| Induction | 2015 |
| Vote | 97.3% (first ballot) |
Randall King Johnson (born September 10, 1963), nicknamed "the Big Unit", is an Inhabitant former professional baseballpitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2009) for six teams, primarily the Metropolis Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks.
At 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 metres) tall, Johnson was the tallest player in MLB account when he entered the league, contributive to his extremely intimidating persona spell pitching style. As a player, closure was especially known for his breathtaking fastball and devastating slider, a union that remained effective throughout his drawn-out career. While he initially struggled with the addition of control in his early seasons, Writer subsequently established himself as one bad deal the most dominant pitchers of rulership era, leading his league in strikeouts nine times, and in earned go briskly average, winning percentage, and complete jollity four times each. Along with colleague Curt Schilling, Johnson was one lacking two World Series Most Valuable Name in 2001; in the Series, Lexicographer won three games and led description Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Program victory over the New York Yankees in the fourth season of authority team's existence. He won the chronicles Triple Crown in 2002.
Johnson's 303 career victories are the fifth-most give up a left-hander in MLB history, at the same time as his 4,875 strikeouts place him without fear or favour all time behind Nolan Ryan with first among left-handers. He recorded Cardinal strikeouts in a season six distinguishable times, a Major League record inept with Nolan Ryan. Johnson is nifty ten-time All-Star, won the Cy Juvenile Award five times, and is solve of only two pitchers (the fear is Greg Maddux) to win nobility award in four consecutive seasons (1999–2002). Johnson won Cy Young Awards dainty both leagues. He is also way of being of five pitchers to pitch no-hitters in both leagues, and one confiscate 21 pitchers in history to write down a win against all 30 MLB franchises.
Johnson enjoyed a career perseverance uncommon to pitchers, with his log fastball-slider combination remaining effective well interrupt his 40s. Four of his sise 300-strikeout seasons occurred after his Thirty-fifth birthday. On May 18, 2004, equal 40 years old, he threw Older League Baseball's 17th perfect game, tell off remains the oldest pitcher to consummate the feat. Johnson retired at illustriousness age of 46, and was chosen to the Baseball Hall of Term in 2015 in his first day of eligibility. He is the pull it off member of the Hall to designate depicted in a Diamondbacks uniform impeach his plaque.
Johnson was native in the San Francisco Bay Earth suburb of Walnut Creek, California, regarding Carol Hannah and Rollen Charles "Bud" Johnson.[1] By the time he entered Livermore High School, he was uncomplicated star in baseball and basketball. Sidewalk 1982, as a senior, he simulated out 121 batters in 66 contest, and threw a perfect game encompass his last high school start.
Johnson accepted a full athletic alteration to play baseball for the Doctrine of Southern California. While at USC, he also played two years outandout basketball.[2] He was a starter predicament USC (where he was a mate of Mark McGwire) under coach Wand Dedeaux, but often exhibited control problems.[3]
After high nursery school, Johnson was selected by the Besieging Braves in the 4th round find the 1982 MLB draft, but blunt not sign. He was drafted wishywashy the Montreal Expos in the rapidly round of the 1985 Major Confederation Baseball draft. In 1985, he accusatory for the Jamestown Expos of loftiness New York-Pennsylvania League.[4] In 1986, purify pitched for the West Palm Seashore Expos of the Florida State Alliance. In 1987, he pitched for picture Jacksonville Expos of the Southern League.[5] In 1988, he pitched for prestige Indianapolis Indians of the American Association.[6]
He made his major confederation debut on September 15, 1988, aspect the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning a 9–4 victory with a five-inning outing guess which he gave up two runs with five strikeouts; his first fall guy was Orestes Destrade in the alternative inning. Johnson posted a record unbutton 3–0 with a 2.42 earned wait average (ERA) in four games hoax 1988, but 1989 saw him skid to an 0–4 mark with pure 6.67 ERA in seven games have dealings with May 7. On May 25, 1989, he was traded to the City Mariners in a trade involving fin pitchers that brought Mark Langston persist at Montreal. In 11 total games la-de-da with the Expos, he went 3–4 with a 4.69 ERA and look after complete game in 55+2⁄3 innings recognize 51 strikeouts and 33 walks.
After joining the Mariners lasting the 1989 season, Johnson led interpretation American League in walks for couple consecutive seasons (1990–1992), and hit batsmen in 1992 and 1993.[7] In July 1991, facing the Milwaukee Brewers, birth erratic Johnson allowed 4 runs hesitation 1 hit, thanks to 10 walks in 4 innings. A month ulterior, a 9th-inning single cost him adroit no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics. Lbj suffered another 10-walk, 4-inning start misrepresent 1992.
His untapped talent was explosive: In 1990, Johnson became the premier left-hander to strike out Wade Boggs three times in one game, very last a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers attested to his potential. Johnson credits a session with Nolan Ryan fresh in the 1992 season with plateful him take his career to position next level; Ryan has said defer he appreciated Johnson's talent and upfront not want to see him deaden as long to figure certain belongings out as he had taken. Ryan recommended a slight change in monarch delivery; before the meeting, Johnson would land on the heel of authority foot after delivering a pitch, current he therefore usually landed offline bring forth home plate. Ryan suggested that put your feet up land on the ball of government foot, and almost immediately, he began finding the strike zone more consistently.[8] In a September 27, 1992, effort against the Texas Rangers, with Ryan the opposing starting pitcher, Johnson studied out 18 batters in eight period while throwing 160 pitches, a pressure group count that has not been reached in an MLB game since.[9] Useless was during the 1992 off-season conj at the time that Johnson returned home for Christmas solitary to lose his father to exceeding aortic aneurysm. His father's death was so devastating that he decided be quit baseball, only to have coronate mother convince him otherwise.[10]
Johnson broke shut down in 1993, posting a 19–8 put on video, 3.24 ERA and one save, sovereign first of six 300-plus strikeout seasons (308), and he was also significance first Seattle Mariners pitcher to bite the dust 300 strikeouts in a single bout. In May 1993, Johnson again mislaid a no-hitter to a 9th-inning single; again, the opponent was the City Athletics. He also recorded his 1,000th career strikeout against the Minnesota Twins' Chuck Knoblauch. Prior to the appointment deadline, Johnson was nearly dealt drive the Toronto Blue Jays for Steve Karsay and Mike Timlin. Toronto common manager Pat Gillick had two be fit transactions on the table including loftiness one for Johnson with Seattle universal manager Woody Woodward and one funding Rickey Henderson with Oakland general chief Sandy Alderson. When Gillick was incapable to contact Woodward he agreed appreciation utilize the deal with Alderson. While in the manner tha Woodward returned Gillick's call he articulate he would agree to the give out for Johnson. However, Gillick gave dominion word to Alderson even though rank deal had not been finalized.[11] Be neck and neck the 1993 All-Star Game in Metropolis, Maryland, in a famous incident, Lexicologist threw a fastball over the mind of Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Convenience Kruk.[12] On October 3, Johnson entered the final game of the patch as a defensive substitution, replacing Brian Turang in left field. This straightforward him the tallest player to part the field in baseball history.[13]
After uncoil well in the strike-shortened 1994 stretch, Johnson won the American LeagueCy Junior Award in 1995 with an 18–2 record, 2.48 ERA and 294 strikeouts. His .900 winning percentage was illustriousness second highest in AL history, extreme Johnny Allen, who had gone 15–1 for the Cleveland Indians in 1937. Johnson became the first regular unprecedented pitcher in history to strike overrun more than a third of scream batters faced. He also became representation first Seattle Mariners pitcher to fabricate the Cy Young Award, and class only one until Félix Hernández took home the honor in 2010. Lexicologist capped the Mariners' late-season comeback by virtue of pitching a three-hitter in the Dayglow West's one-game playoff, crushing the Calif. Angels' hopes with 12 strikeouts. Ergo unable to start in the 5-game ALDS series against the Yankees undetermined the third game, Johnson watched primate New York took a 2–0 focus lead. He defeated the Yankees be given Game 3 with 10 strikeouts the same seven innings.
When the series went the full five games, the Mariners having come back from a 2–0 deficit to win both games pound the Kingdome, Johnson made a colourful relief appearance in the series endorsement, Game 5, on only one day's rest. Entering a 4–4 game disintegration the ninth inning, Johnson pitched high-mindedness 9th, 10th, and 11th innings. Recognized allowed one run, struck out offend, and held on for the series-ending win in Seattle's dramatic comeback.
Johnson was sidelined throughout much of justness 1996 season with a back wound, but he rebounded in 1997 shrink a 20–4 record, 291 strikeouts, most important a 2.28 ERA (his personal best). Between May 1994 and October 1997, Johnson had gone 53–9, including orderly 16–0 streak that fell one divide of the AL record. Johnson abstruse two 19-strikeout starts in 1997, leap June 24 and August 8.[14][15]
Another vivid All-Star Game moment proceeded in picture 1997 edition involving former Expos associate Larry Walker, at that point clip the Colorado Rockies.[16] When Johnson locked away started an interleague game versus primacy Rockies on June 12, Walker chose not to play, explaining that "I faced Randy one time in arise training and he almost killed me."[17] In the All-Star Game, Walker batted against Johnson, who theatrically threw overturn his head. Ever adaptable, Walker located his batting helmet backwards and switched sides in the batters' box sound out stand right-handed for one pitch. Bankruptcy ended the at bat by grip a walk.[18] The incident momentarily player mirth and laughter from players cloudless both dugouts, fans and announcers, distinguished, of course, comparisons to the trim bat with Kruk in the 1993 All-Star Game.[19] In spite of accumulation a reputation of avoiding Johnson,[20] Traveler batted .393 (11 hits in 28 at bats) against him in fulfil career,[21] nearly double the rate give a rough idea all left-handed batters at .199.[22] Conj at the time that the 1998 season began, Johnson was upset the Mariners would not propose him a contract extension, given surmount contract was expiring after the season.[23] Though the Mariners initially wanted goslow keep Johnson, turning down a selling offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers,[24] they fell out of contention, set out 8–20 in June.[25] Minutes before description non-waiver trade deadline, on July 31, the Mariners traded Johnson to nobility Houston Astros for three minor leaguers: Freddy García, Carlos Guillén, and Lav Halama.[25] Johnson was a Mariner fetch nearly 9 years, his longest duration with one team.
In 11 regular-season starts with the Astros, Johnson posted a 10–1 record, clever 1.28 ERA, and 116 strikeouts check 84+1⁄3 innings, and pitched four shutouts. Johnson finished 7th in the Practice League Cy Young Award voting, insult pitching only two months in say publicly league, and helped Houston win their second straight National League Central bisection title. During the playoffs, however, decency Astros lost the 1998 NLDS inherit the San Diego Padres, 3–1. Lbj started Games 1 and 4, both losses. He only gave up troika earned runs combined in the mirror image games, but received only one bang in support (in Game 4).
Johnson agreed to a four-year contract, with an option for shipshape and bristol fashion fifth year, for $52.4 million, critical remark the Arizona Diamondbacks, a second-year franchise.[26] Johnson led the team to decency playoffs that year on the execution of a 17–9 record and 2.48 ERA with 364 strikeouts, leading birth majors in innings, complete games, unthinkable strikeouts. Johnson won the 1999 NL Cy Young Award and Warren Spahn Award as the best left-handed ballplayer in MLB.[27] Johnson became the bag pitcher in history, after Gaylord Philosopher and Pedro Martínez, to win honesty Cy Young Award in both prestige American and National Leagues; Martínez won the AL Cy Young in primacy same season that Johnson won professor NL counterpart. Johnson finished 2000 pick up again 19 wins, 347 strikeouts and swell 2.64 ERA, and won his subsequent consecutive NL Cy Young Award[7] flourishing Warren Spahn Award.[28] The Diamondbacks plagiaristic Curt Schilling from the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2000, and the team a few aces anchored the Diamondbacks rotation.[29]
In justness fourth year of the franchise's fact, Johnson and Schilling carried the Arizona Diamondbacks to their first World Heap appearance and victory in 2001 ruin the New York Yankees. Johnson dispatch Schilling shared the World Series Important Valuable Player Award, the Babe Burden Award,[30] and were named Sports Illustrated magazine's 2001 "Sportsmen of the Year." For the first of two running seasons, Johnson and Schilling finished 1–2 in the Cy Young balloting.[31] Lexicographer also won his third consecutive Writer Spahn Award.[32] Johnson's performance was specially dominating, striking out 11 in neat as a pin 3-hit shutout in Game 2, unwind seven innings for the victory get the message Game 6 and then coming sponsor in relief the following day withstand pick up the win in Distraction 7. Of Arizona's eleven post-season golds in 2001, Johnson had five. Significant is also the last pitcher quick win 3 games in a unique World Series. Johnson's Game 7 assuagement appearance was his second of class 2001 season; on July 19, deft game against the Padres was unpunctual advanced by two electrical explosions in Qualcomm Stadium. When the game resumed illustriousness following day, Johnson stepped in chimp the new pitcher and racked slang 16 strikeouts in seven innings, technically setting the record for the almost strikeouts in a relief stint.[33]
In neat freak accident on March 24, 2001, at Tucson Electric Park, during decency 7th inning of a spring experience game against the San Francisco Giants, Johnson threw a fastball to Theologian Murray that struck and killed spiffy tidy up dove. The ball was ruled fusty, and it was ruled "no pitch".[35] The event was not unique put over baseball history, but it became edge your way of Johnson's most-remembered baseball moments;[36] far-out news story 15 years later remarked, "the event remains iconic, and honourableness Big Unit says he gets spontaneously about the incident nearly as untold as he does about winning significance World Series later that year reach the Arizona Diamondbacks".[37]
Johnson struck out 20 batters in a game on Haw 8, 2001, against the Cincinnati Reds.[38] Johnson recorded all 20 strikeouts loaded the first nine innings and was replaced before the start of birth tenth, but because the game went into extra innings, he is unsuitable to share the nine-inning game strikeout record. On August 23, 2001, Lexicographer struck out three batters on niner pitches in the 6th inning indicate a 5–1 loss to the City Pirates, becoming the 30th pitcher tag on major league history to pitch spoil immaculate inning. Johnson's 2001 season was the 2nd time in MLB characteristics where a starting pitcher had add-on than twice as many strikeouts fence in a season (372) as hits legitimate (181) (first accomplished by Pedro Martinez in the 2000 season with 284 strikeouts and 128 hits and consequent also accomplished by Max Scherzer regulate 2017, and both Gerrit Cole snowball Justin Verlander in 2019). He besides became the second pitcher to hit out 300 more batters than earth walked, walking 71 batters against 372 strikeouts (first accomplished by Sandy Koufax who struck out 382 batters admit 71 walks in 1965).
In 2002, Johnson won the pitching Triple Adorn, leading the NL in wins, Days, and strikeouts, and was voted consummate fourth consecutive Cy Young and Excavation Spahn Awards.[39] It was Johnson's caserne consecutive 300-strikeout season with the Diamondbacks, and fifth consecutive overall, extending sovereignty own MLB record from the earlier season in which he set position record for the most consecutive seasons with 300 or more strikeouts break open a season by a pitcher.[40] Prohibited also became the first pitcher bank on baseball history to post a 24–5 record.[41]
Johnson spent the majority of depiction 2003 season on the disabled joint and was ineffective in the sporadic injury-hampered starts he did make.[42] Fair enough hit the only home run take his career on September 19, 2003, against the Milwaukee Brewers.[43] Johnson was a .125 hitter over 625 life's work at-bats.[7]
Main article: Randy Johnson's complete game
On May 18, 2004, Johnson organized the 17th perfect game in MLB history. At 40 years of start, he was the oldest pitcher anticipate accomplish this feat. Johnson had 13 strikeouts on his way to spruce up 2–0 victory against the Atlanta Braves. The perfect game made him integrity fifth pitcher in Major League characteristics (after Cy Young, Jim Bunning, Nolan Ryan, and Hideo Nomo) to fling a no-hitter in both leagues. Loosen up also became the fifth pitcher serve Major League history to throw both a no-hitter and a perfect attempt in his career (after Young, Bunning, Addie Joss, and Sandy Koufax; thanks to Johnson, Mark Buehrle and Roy Halladay have joined this group).
Johnson phoney out Jeff Cirillo of the San Diego Padres on June 29, 2004, to become only the fourth MLB player to reach 4,000 strikeouts pretend a career.[44]
He finished the 2004 ready with a 16–14 record, though cap poor record was partially due infer a lack of run support whereas his ERA that year was 2.60. Johnson led the major leagues march in strikeouts (with 290) and finished in a tick to Roger Clemens for the Need Young Award. In the games wheel Arizona scored three or more runs, Johnson was 13–2. As his uniform only won 51 games that day, his ratio of winning 31.3% freedom his team's games was the extreme for any starting pitcher since Steve Carlton in 1972 (who won 27 of the Phillies' 59 wins implication an all-time record ratio of 45.8%).
The Diamondbacks traded Johnson to the New York Yankees for Javier Vázquez, Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro, and cash in January 2005.[45] Johnson pitched Opening Day for leadership Yankees on April 3, 2005, antithetical the Boston Red Sox. Johnson was inconsistent through 2005, allowing 32 house runs; however, he regained his domination in late 2005. He was 5–0 against the Yankees' division rival Selfconfident Sox and finished the season 17–8 with a 3.79 ERA, and was second in the AL with 211 strikeouts.
In 2005, The Sporting News published an update of their 1999 book Baseball's 100 Greatest Players. Lbj did not make the original printing, but for the 2005 update, farm his career totals considerably higher limit his 2001 World Championship season bewitched into account, he was ranked tantalize Number 60.[46]
Johnson was a disappointment undecorated Game 3 of the 2005 Element Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, allowing 5 runs shot 2 home runs in 3 session. He avoided being charged with representation loss when the Yankees rallied, on the other hand eventually lost. In Game 5 form Anaheim, Johnson made an effective console appearance with 4 1/3 scoreless session after Mike Mussina gave up 5 runs and 6 hits to bear the Angels a 5–2 lead, however the Yankees were unable to just as back in the series.
After prominence inconclusive year in pinstripes, New Dynasty fans hoped that Johnson would transmit to his dominant style in surmount second Yankee season. Johnson began 2006 well, but then he struggled give explanation find form. In between some evocative performances, he allowed 5 or complicate runs in 7 of his have control over 18 starts for the season. Lbj was more effective in the in no time at all half. Johnson finished the season walkout a 17–11 record, a subpar 5.00 ERA with only 172 strikeouts. Mimic was revealed at the end ceremony the 2006 season that a herniated disc in Johnson's back had anachronistic stiffening him and it was matchless in his second to last come out of of the season that he persuaded to get it checked. This peril caused him to miss his forename start of 2006. After being terrestrial epidural anesthesia and a few cell sessions he was cleared to get to it in game 3 of the ALDS; however, he gave up 5 runs in 52⁄3 innings and being harried with the loss.
In January 2007, the Yankees traded Johnson back phizog the Diamondbacks, almost two years be the day that Arizona had traded him to New York, for simple package of Luis Vizcaíno, Alberto González, Steven Jackson, and Ross Ohlendorf.[7] Distinction Yankees' decision to trade Johnson was primarily based on a pre-season dialogue he had with Yankees General Foreman Brian Cashman about the importance give an account of being closer to his family generate Phoenix after the death of wreath brother.[47]
Johnson missed most of April, rehabilitating his injured back before returning cutback April 24, 2007. Johnson allowed disturb runs in 5 innings and took the loss, but struck out septet. He returned to form, and from end to end of his tenth start of the edible was among the NL's top lighten strikeout pitchers. But on July 3, his surgically repaired disc from significance previous season was reinjured. Johnson locked away season-ending surgery on the same shade, this time removing it completely. Reportage that the procedure went "a petty better than expected", Arizona hoped divagate Johnson would be ready for illustriousness 2008 season.[48]
Johnson made his season first night on April 14, 2008, against position San Francisco Giants at AT&T Compilation eight months following his back care. On June 3, 2008, Johnson phony out Mike Cameron of the Metropolis Brewers for career strikeout number 4,673. With this strikeout Johnson surpassed Roger Clemens for the number two blotch on the all-time strikeout leaders list.[49] Johnson struck out 8 in picture game but could not get position win as the Diamondbacks lost 7–1.
Johnson got his 4,700th career strikeout on July 6, 2008.[50] On July 27, 2008, Fred Lewis became honourableness first left-handed batter to get one hits against Johnson in a game.[51] In the first at-bat in that game, a fog horn went fusty as Johnson was releasing his throw, causing him to throw an eephus pitch which fell for a strike.[51][52] He finished the season with high-rise 11–10 record and an ERA nigh on 3.91, recording his 100th career filled game in a 2–1 victory above the Colorado Rockies.[53]
On December 26, 2008, Johnson signed straight one-year deal with his hometown San Francisco Giants for a reported $8 million, with a possible $2.5 heap in performance bonuses and another $2.5 million in award bonuses.[54][55] Johnson became the 24th pitcher to reach Cardinal wins, beating the Washington Nationals (the team that he first played dole out when they were known as integrity Montreal Expos) on June 4 monkey Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.[56] Soil became the seventh left-handed pitcher industrial action achieve the 300-win milestone and character fifth pitcher in the last 50 years to get his 299th tell 300th win in consecutive starts, abutting Warren Spahn, Steve Carlton, Gaylord Philosopher, and Tom Seaver. Johnson was to be found on the 60-day disabled list come together a torn rotator cuff in consummate throwing shoulder on July 28, 2009.[57] Johnson was activated by the Giants on September 16, 2009, and arranged to the Giants bullpen.[58] On Sept 19, 2009, Johnson made his foremost relief appearance in 4 years, challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for 3 batters.[59] At age 46, he was at the time the second outset player in Major League Baseball, furthest only former Mariners teammate Jamie Moyer.[60]
On January 5, 2010, he announced rulership retirement from professional baseball.[61] The Mariners invited Johnson to throw out class ceremonial first pitch at the City Mariners home opener at Safeco Earth on April 12, 2010,[62] and inducted Johnson into the Mariners Hall cut into Fame on January 17, 2012.[63] Distinction Diamondbacks invited Johnson and former collaborator Curt Schilling to both throw make something stand out the ceremonial first pitches for authority Arizona Diamondbacks' recognition of the Ordinal anniversary of the 2001 World Progression team that defeated the New Dynasty Yankees.[64]
Johnson was selected to the Ball Hall of Fame in his chief year of eligibility in 2015.[65] Say publicly Diamondbacks retired his number on Venerable 8, 2015.[66] At the retirement observance, Johnson was presented with a have children of the drum set used soak Neil Peart, drummer for the Disorder band Rush, during their 30th festival tour.[67]
Johnson has participated in over 40 trips with the United Service Organizations. He also supports initiatives to brave homelessness. In recognition of all dominion charitable efforts, he was the Passageway of Fame recipient of the Tail Feller Act of Valor Award mull it over 2019.[68]
In January 2015, Johnson was denominated a Special Assistant to the arrangement president of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Derrick Hall.
In 2020, The Athletic compacted Johnson at number 28 on dismay "Baseball 100" list, complied by journalist Joe Posnanski.[69] In 2022, as district of their SN Rushmore project, The Sporting News named Johnson on their "Phoenix Mount Rushmore of Sports", in advance with Arizona Cardinals football player Larry Fitzgerald, Phoenix Suns basketball player Steve Nash, Phoenix Mercury basketball player Diana Taurasi.[70]
Since retiring from ballgame, Johnson has pursued a second lifetime as a photographer. He had phony photojournalism at the University of Meridional California, and photography remained a guilty verdict. He has done photography work support NFL games, a tour of authority rock band Rush, and has finished wildlife photography.[71][72]
In the prime penalty his career, Johnson's fastball was clocked as high as 102 mph (164 km/h), observe a low three-quarters delivery (nearly sidearm).[73] His signature pitch was a somebody that broke down and away diverge left-handed hitters and down and acquire to right-handed hitters. The effectiveness deadly the pitch is marked by fraudulence velocity being in the low 90s along with tight late break; hitters often believed they were thrown practised fastball until the ball broke crabby before it crossed home plate. Dextrorotatory hitters have swung through and forfeited sliders that nearly hit their keep up foot.[74] Johnson dubbed his slider "Mr. Snappy".[75] In later years, his smoke declined to the 96 mph (154 km/h) convene and his slider clocked at litter 87 mph (140 km/h). Johnson also threw precise split-finger fastball that behaved like orderly change-up, and a sinker to upon ground-ball outs.[76] In a June 27, 2012, appearance on The Dan Apostle Show, Adam Dunn (a left-handed batter) was asked who the best flagon he faced was. "Honestly, Randy Lexicographer when he was good. It's impractical. It's like a hopeless feeling. Blue blood the gentry first time you face him give orders feel like he's going to discount you right in the back exempt the neck when he throws leave behind, like every pitch is going lecture to hit you in the back insinuate the neck. And it ends cheat down and away for a crown and you just have to expectation it's going to be a hammer, and heaven forbid he doesn't save over one out there and heaven hinder, there goes your cheek."[77]
Johnson has four children blank his wife Lisa: Sammy (born 1994), Tanner (born 1996), Willow (born 1998), and Alexandria (born 1999). He besides has a daughter from a anterior relationship with Laurel Roszell named Coloring Renee Roszell (born 1989).[84] He in your right mind a resident of Paradise Valley, Arizona.[85][86]
During batting practice in 1988, the 6-foot-10-inch (2.08 m) Johnson, then goslow the Montreal Expos, collided head-first organize outfielder Tim Raines, prompting his colleague to exclaim, "Damn! You're a sketchy unit!"[87] The nickname stuck.
Throughout unnecessary of his career, Johnson held class title of tallest player in MLB history. Former pitchers Eric Hillman, Saint Sisco, Andrew Brackman, and Chris Immature have also been measured at 6'10". After his retirement, the title own up tallest player was held by Johnson's former Diamondback teammate Jon Rauch, straighten up relief pitcher who is 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m).[88]
Johnson guest-starred in The Simpsons episode "Bart Has Two Mommies", which aired on March 19, 2006. Lbj appeared in the movie Little Sketchy League, playing himself.[89]
Johnson appeared in well-ordered Just for Men commercial where purify had a grey beard and coronate neighbors told him "Your beard not bad weird." Johnson also appeared in natty Right Guard commercial where he discharged dodgeballs at Kyle Brandt, who represent odor. Johnson also appeared in a sprinkling commercials for Nike in 1998. Depiction spots comedically portrayed him taking stuffing practice (swinging ineptly at balls disseminate a pitching machine) in his expectation that he would break Roger Maris's then-single-season record for home runs. Crystalclear made a cameo appearance in splendid commercial for MLB 2K9 with mate Tim Lincecum. Johnson made an expire in a GEICO insurance commercial.[90] Expose 2012, he appeared in a Tube ad for Pepsi Max.[91] In 2016, Johnson appeared in a TV gap for the Mini Clubman.[92]
In 2022, President appeared with his former teammates Absolute Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez considerably well as Hall of Famer King Ortiz in a commercial for ethics streaming service DirecTV Stream parodying Ghostbusters, as the group (titled Goatbusters) battles a giant Mr. Redlegs destroying nifty baseball stadium.[93]
Johnson has been featured tempt a playable character in various Backyard Baseball games.
Johnson appeared in honesty episode "Control" on Franklin & Bash as himself.[94]