Randy Johnson
(1988-2007)
The Big Unit
“You’re a big unit!”-Montreal teammate
Tim Raines to Johnson after the two collided in the outfield.
At 6’10”, Randy Johnson was the tallest pitcher to ever take the mound when he first pitched in the major leagues. His long arms, legs and hair combined with the game’s fastest pitch often intimidated batters, especially when he pitched inside to the batter. Beginning his career with the Seattle Mariners, Johnson became the club’s first-ever 20 game winner and threw the first no-hitter in franchise history. In 2004, he became the oldest player to ever pitch a perfect game. He has won five Cy Young Awards and is the career strikeout leader for left-handed pitchers and third on the all-time list. And were it not for recurring back problems, “The Big Unit” would have easily been a 300 game winner. As it is, his place at Cooperstown is secured.
Whitey Ford
(1950-1967)
The Chairman of the Board
“I don’t care what the situation was, how high the stakes were—the
bases loaded and the pennant riding on every pitch—it never bothered
Whitey. He pitched his game. Cool. Craft. Nerves of steel.” -Mickey
Mantle
The mainstay of the Yankee pitching staff, Whitey Ford’s career was noted for his big game pitching in World Series play. He holds the career mark for games started, games won, and strikeouts in the fall classic, not so much for individual dominance but because he was the best pitcher on a team that appeared in so many World Series. He is the leader in career wins for New York’s Bronx Bombers, a team that has more world championships than any other franchise in professional sports. Not known for overwhelming power, Ford was a pinpoint control pitcher with several pitches. Among all pitchers in history with 300 decisions, he has the highest career winning percentage.
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