Tagged: Randy Johnson

Welcome to Cooperstown Randy!

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It is a special day at Safeco Field, as one of our own, Randy Johnson, has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 97.3% of votes. Randy spent 10 seasons with the Mariners, amassing 2,162 of his 4,875 strikeouts in a Seattle uniform.  Mariners Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Howard Lincoln issued the following statement today on Johnson’s election to the Hall of Fame:

On behalf of the Mariners franchise and ownership, we wish to add our congratulations to Randy Johnson on his well-deserved election to the Baseball Hall of Fame today.

Randy began his career in Montreal, but began his ascent to the Hall of Fame here in Seattle.

After his arrival in 1989, he tossed his first no-hitter with the Mariners in 1990, had his breakthrough season in 1993 (when he was 19-8) and claimed his first Cy Young Award in 1995. No one who watched this fierce competitor dominate during his decade in Seattle —  including his wins in Game 3 and, on one day rest, Game 5 of the 1995 Division Series vs. New York – had any doubt of him taking his rightful place in the Hall today.

During his 10 seasons in Seattle, Randy was a key member of the group of players that cemented the Mariners place in the region.

We are equally proud of the work Randy did off the field in Seattle, and note that even after his retirement, he continues to give his time in support of important causes, including his many visits to troops overseas.

Just as we watched with pride as Randy collected a Cy Young (1995), an ERA title (1995), made five All-Star Game appearances (1990, 1993-1995, 1997) and earned four strikeout crowns (1992-1995) in a Mariners uniform, we will watch with pride as Randy is inducted in Cooperstown this summer.

 

Johnson was acquired by Seattle (from Montreal) on May 25, 1989. He was 130-74 with 2 saves and 2,162 strikeouts in 274 games (266 starts) with the Mariners. He totaled 51 complete games as a Mariner, including 19 shutouts, and tossed 1838.1 innings with Seattle prior to being traded to Houston on July 31, 1998. He is one of eight members of the Mariners Hall of Fame (inducted in 2012 with Dan Wilson).

Here is a full bio of Johnson’s Hall of Fame career:

Hall of Fame Election Today

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Be sure to tune into the MLB Network today starting at 9 am PT/11 am ET for exclusive coverage of the 2015 National Baseball Hall of Fame election results. The official announcement for the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 will be announced close to 11 am PT/2 pm ET. Mariners legends Randy Johnson (first time on ballot) and Edgar Martinez (6th time on ballot) are up for election to the Hall of Fame.

Dan & Randy’s Hall of Fame Luncheon

Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson.

Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson, the newest members of the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame, were celebrated at a luncheon on the infield of Safeco Field today.

At the head table with Randy and Dan were former Mariners pitcher Bill Krueger, catcher/broadcaster Dave Valle, outfielder/broadcaster Dave Henderson, infielder/broadcaster Mike Blowers, infielder/outfielder Rich Amaral, coach Lee Elia, former teammate and current coach Mike Brumley, manager Eric Wedge, former Teammate and Hall of Famers Edgar Martinez and Alvin Davis, Marilyn Niehaus, wife of Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus, broadcaster Dave Sims and Safeco Field public address announcer Tom Hutyler.

Jay Buhner, who is also a member of the Mariners Hall of Fame, is in Spokane today for his son’s baseball tournament. But he’ll fly in tomorrow morning for the pregame induction ceremony at Safeco Field. It starts at 12:30pm.

Others who could not be in attendance provided video greetings including Bob Costas, Don Mattingly, Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Cameron, Harold Reynolds, Gaylord Perry and John Kruk.

Some notable quotes and moments from the program:

Rick Rizzs on Randy– “He was a fiery pitcher who could singlehandedly take over a game, his mullet blowing in the wind.”

Bob Costas, by video, noted that Randy and Dan were part of a very special time in the history of the Mariners and as good as Randy was, he was even better with his battery mate. With Dan behind the plate, Randy’s Mariners winning percentage was .721.

Former teammate Mike Blowers on Randy’s competitive nature – “He would go out with an edge every time.”

Former Teammate Rich Amaral –“Playing behind Randy was easy. It was strike 3 and we’d throw the ball around the infield.”

Amaral on Dan – “I respected how he played the game. He played hard every day. He’s strap it on and go out there. He never complained when he caught a day game after a night game, or was out there when he was supposed to have a day off.”

Rick Rizzs on Dan—“He was a blend of intelligence and toughness, a leader on the field, an extension of the manager.”

There was a stirring video tribute of great moments in Randy’s and Dan’s careers. Of all the highlights, and there were too many to note—strike outs, runners caught stealing, amazing defensive plays by both Randy and Dan—it was one of Dan’s two inside the park home runs that got a round of applause from the audience.

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– RH

Dan & Randy Hall of Fame Ceremony

Saturday’s Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will start at 12:30pm. Fans attending the game will want to be in their seats by then.

For those at home, there are two options. 710 ESPN, the Mariners flagship radio station, and the Mariners Radio Network, will carry the ceremony and game live. Because Saturday’s game is a day game, it will not be available on ROOT SPORTS (due to the FOX/MLB exclusive TV window).

However, the pregame ceremony will be streamed live on www.mariners.com. There will also be a crew at Safeco Field from MLB.com to cover the ceremony and the game. Both will be available as a replay to mlb.tv subscribers beginning 90 minutes after the final out.

In case you’re wondering why Saturday’s game is a day game (and the Mariners are not appearing on FOX) it’s because the Seafair Thorchlight Parade and Run are taking place later that night in downtown Seattle so we scheduled a day game to help avoid traffic problems.

Plenty of good seats are available if you’d like to be at Safeco Field for this historic occasion. Plus, there will be a pretty cool giveaway of a Dan & Randy Hall of Fame bobblehead (first 20,000 fans).

Mariners Hall of Fame Commemorative Publication – Randy Johnson

In honor of Saturday’s Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame induction of Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson, a limited commemorative publication has been printed.

The full-color, 20 page magazine is filled with photos, stats and information about the Mariners newest Hall of Fame members.

The publication will be available at Safeco Field starting Thursday and at outlying Team Stores by Friday. The cost is $3.

Today, we give you a sneak peek at The Big Unit, and tomorrow we will follow with the piece on Dan Wilson.

Mariners Hall of Fame, Pinterest

Are you following the Mariners on Pinterest?

The Mariners have 26 Boards including one for the Mariners Hall of Fame. It’s got great shots of Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson in their playing prime and in the community. Good times.

As long as you’re there, check out the other Board such as Fan Favorites (Cammy, Griffey, Gar, Joey), Bucket List, Hair (great moments in hair styles over the years), Safeco Field Eats (Mmmm, BBQ beef brisket sandwich), etc. There are even Boards for King’s Court members and fans to post their Safeco Field photos.

You know what Pinterest is, right? That site with all those photos of food you shouldn’t eat with recipes you’ll never prepare anyway, vacation destinations you won’t go to, tiny dresses and skinny jeans that would look terrible on you, DIY projects you don’t have the skills or the tools for. But hey, there’s that tutorial on how to fold a fitted sheet.

But seriously, if you want to connect with the Mariners across all the forms of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, etc.) for information about the Hall of Fame induction, or any Mariners news, check out Mariners.com/Connect.

Battery mates and soon to be Mariners Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson celebrate as the Mariners clinch the AL West in 1995

– RH

Dan Wilson, Randy Johnson “Hall-Worthy”

Two new members will be inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame this summer – Dan Wilson, one of the best defensive catchers in MLB, and Randy Johnson, one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball.

Dan and Randy’s exploits with the Mariners are well-known – the records, the memorable moments… those are etched in our minds. But do you recall their early days?

Randy Johnson came to the Mariners in May 1989 in a trade that sent Mark Langston and a player to be named later (Mike Campbell) to the Montreal Expos. In exchange, the Mariners got Gene Harris, Brian Holman and Randy. At the time, Randy was actually the “third” man. Gene Harris was seen as the prize. Of course, Harris was traded by the Mariners three years later to the Padres. He had stops in Detroit, Philadelphia and Baltimore before ending his seven-year career 12-18 with a 4.71 ERA and 26 saves.

Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson celebrate as the Mariners clinch their first trip to the postseason with a 9-1 win over the Angels during a one-game playoff on October 2, 1995 at the Kingdome.

Brian Holman played with the Mariners until 1991, memorably coming within one strike of a perfect game against the Oakland A’s on April 20, 1990.

Dan Wilson came to the Mariners after the 1993 season in a trade with the Reds for second baseman Bret Boone. When he heard that the Mariners had acquired Wilson, former Mariners catcher Scott Bradley, who had played briefly with Dan when they were both in the Reds system in 1992, called Joe Chard, then Mariners director of Community Relations (now VP of Corporate Business and Community Relations), to heap praise on Wilson. Bradley said Dan was going to be a great player, and he was an even better man. And as great as he thought Dan was, Bradley said Dan’s wife Annie was even better.

Almost 20-years later, Mariners fans now know just what Scott Bradley was talking about. Dan was a great player, and he and Annie have made a strong and lasting impact on this community through their work over the years for such organizations as First Place, a school for homeless children.

While at the Mariners, Randy Johnson co-chaired the annual Mariners Care Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Tournament, with Jay Buhner, which has raised over $4.5 million for CF research since 1986.

Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson join the current Mariners Hall of Famers Alvin Davis Davis (1997), Dave Niehaus (2000), Jay Buhner (2004) and Edgar Martinez (2007).

Mariners legend Jay Buhner had this to say about his former teammates and fellow Hall of Famers:

“It’s great to have two more Seattle icons join the Mariners Hall of Fame. Their performances and accolades on the field speak for themselves but it’s the continued work off the field that is most impressive. They both understand the importance of giving back to their communities and to those in need and less fortunate. I welcome both of them to the Mariners Hall of Fame. This brings back so many great memories.”

Four Sixths of the Mariners Hall of Fame, with Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson, Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr., on Opening Night 2010.

Here is the official news release:

SEATTLE, Wash. (Jan. 17, 2012) — One of the best defensive catchers and one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball will be inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame this year. Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson will become the fifth and sixth members of the Mariners Hall of Fame when they are inducted during a ceremony on Saturday, July 28, 2012, prior to the Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals game.

Dan Wilson played 12 of his 14 Major League seasons for the Mariners (1994-2005). Wilson, who played more games as a catcher than any other player in Mariners history (1,281), is ranked among the Top 10 in a bevy of Mariners offensive categories including:

  • Games played (1,251, 5th),
  • Hits (1,071, 6th),
  • Extra base hits (308, 9th),
  • Total bases (1,568, 8th),
  • Doubles (207, 6th),
  • RBI (508, 9th),
  • At-bats (4,085, 7th),
  • Runs (433, 10th).

Wilson represented the Mariners on the 1996 American League All-Star team. He owns the Mariners career records for home runs by a catcher (including two inside-the-park home runs), and the Club’s single season records for catchers in RBI (83, 1996), and is tied with Miguel Olivo (2011) for home runs (18, 1996). Wilson ended his career with a .995 fielding percentage, at the time the highest for any catcher in American League history, and the sixth highest in Major League history. He is currently tied for first among A.L. catchers with Joe Mauer and A.J.Pierzinski.

Randy Johnson had a 22-year Major League career, playing for six teams including 1989-1998 for the Mariners. He also played for the Montreal Expos (1988-89), Houston Astros (1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004, 2007-08), New York Yankees (2005-06) and San Francisco Giants (2009).

Johnson had one of the most dominant fastballs in the game and regularly hit 100+ mph in his prime. He won five Cy Young Awards (1995, 1999-2002), including the first by a Mariners pitcher when he went 18-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 1995. Johnson pitched two no-hitters—June 2, 1990 vs. DET and MLB’s 17th perfect game on May 18, 2004.

Johnson came to Seattle in 1989 in a trade with the Montreal Expos. He had his breakout season in 1993 when he went 19-8 with 3.24 ERA and the first of his six 300+ strikeout seasons. Johnson was instrumental in the team’s first-ever trip to the postseason in 1995 when the Mariners staged an improbable late-season charge making up a 13-and-a-half game deficit. The Mariners finished the season tied with the Anaheim Angels, which forced a one-game playoff on October 2 at the Kingdome. The Mariners beat the Angels 9-1behind Johnson’s 12 strikeout, three-hit, complete game.

After the Mariners lost the first two games of the American League Division Series to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Johnson started Game 3 at the Kingdome and won 7-4. In Game 5, on one day’s rest, Johnson memorably strode in from the bullpen for a relief appearance. He pitched the 9th, 10th and 11th innings, giving up one run with six strikeouts. Johnson held off the Yankees for the comeback capped by Edgar Martinez’s double that scored the winning run. The Mariners won 6-5 in 11 innings, and went on to the team’s first-ever appearance in the American League Championship Series.

Randy Johnson retired after the 2009 season with a career win-loss record of 303-166, ERA of 3.29 and 4,875 strikeouts, second only to Nolan Ryan’s 5,714. In addition to his 10 trips to the All-Star Game (1990, 1993-95, 1997, 1999, 2001-02) and five Cy Young Awards (1995, 1999-2002), Johnson led the league in ERA four times (1995, 1999, 2001, 2002) and strikeouts nine times (1992-1995, 1999-2002, 2004). He was 2001 World Series co-MVP with Curt Schilling, and during his career, Johnson defeated every Major League team at least once.

The four current members of the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame are Alvin Davis (1997), Dave Niehaus (2000), Jay Buhner (2004) and Edgar Martinez (2007). The Hall of Fame was created to honor the players, staff and other individuals that greatly contributed to the history of the Mariners franchise.

– RH