Randy Johnson

The Fan Teaser Solution: Week 147

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This Montreal rookie went onto accomplish big things.

Randy Johnson was a big deal. A very big deal.

Physically, the lefthanded Johnson who stood 6-foot-10 was the tallest pitcher in the Major Leagues for the lion’s share of his 22 seasons.

Performatively, there were few who could measure up to the numbers he amassed during his career. He won five Cy Young Awards (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 … yes, that’s four straight!), led his league in strikeouts nine times, and finished his career with the most strikeouts (4,875) of anyone not named Nolan Ryan.

He clearly lived up to his nickname, “The Big Unit.”

He was twice a top five round MLB draftee. First, by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round of the 1982 Draft out of Livermore (CA) High School (Can you imagine a late-1980s rotation featuring Johnson, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz? Would Greg Maddux have even thought about coming to town?) . Then, following three seasons pitching at the University of Southern California, in 1985’s second round by the Montreal Expos.

Randy Johnson and George Bamberger
Twenty-five-year-old rookie Randy Johnson, left, receives some pointers from visiting pitching coach George Bamberger during the Montreal Expos Spring Training in 1989. (Sports Illustrated photo)

This week’s Fan Teaser photo shows Johnson, during Spring Training with the Expos before the 1989 season in West Palm Beach, FL, with pitching guru George Bamberger who was visiting camp for 10 days as a favor to Manager Buck Rodgers, who succeeded Bamberger as manager in Milwaukee. Following a 0-4 record and 6.67 ERA over six starts that season, Johnson was traded by the Expos on May 29, 1989 (along with Gene Harris and Brian Holman) to the Seattle Mariners for Mark Langston and Mike Campbell.

His biggest accomplishment might have been the 2001 World Series when Johnson won three games (two as a starter and one out of the bullpen) for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their seven game victory over the New York Yankees. Johnson, who was named co-World Series MVP, finished the Series 3-0, allowed just nine hits, and fanned 19 over 17.1 innings pitched.

He was first-ballot Baseball Hall of Fame selection in 2015. Check out his HoF page here.

Today, Johnson’s an accomplished photographer. You’re able to view some of his work at his webpage here.

Randy Johnson’s dominant World Series performance highlights.

Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Fan Teaser: Week 19 Solution

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The prequel to Pillow Fight Night @ Tucson Electric Park?

As MLB’s Spring Training kicks into gear, it seems only fitting to look back at one of the most … unusual? … iconic? … infamous? … moments from Grapefruit or Cactus League action this century.

On March 24, 2001, future Baseball Hall of Famer and then-Arizona Diamondback lefty, Randy Johnson unleashed one of his fastballs in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Tucson’s Electric Park and – midway to homeplate – it struck a bird that picked the wrong time and wrong path to visit its feathered friends on the other side of the grandstand.

Randy Johnson bird hit
Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitcher Randy Johnson, catcher Rod Barajas, and batter Calvin Murray all gaze
at the explosion.

As we dug into this memory a bit, we discovered this retrospective in the USA Today from a couple years ago. Within, we learn that the batter was a player named Calvin Murray who played 288 career MLB games. He might be better known as the uncle of current Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback, Kyler Murray.

Long-since retired, Johnson now focuses on his photography where – unsuprisingly – he’s co-opted the exploding bird as his logo. Check out his Randy Johnson Photography website here.

Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you by the early kickoff on Sunday.