Big Unit: Best of a Generation

We had to wait a day due to rainy weather but on Thursday June 4, 2009, Randy Johnson became the 24th pitcher, and sixth left-hander to reach the 300 win plateau. 

It was Johnson' fifth victory of the season and probably will be the last major accomplishment of his Hall of Fame career unless he sticks around another year to make an effort at 5,000 strikeouts. 

The list of Johnson's accomplishments are nothing short of jaw dropping.  While Roger Clemens may have a few better numbers, I believe Johnson is the best pitcher of this generation. 

Randy Johnson has two no hitters, one of which being a perfect game.  The man has five Cy Youngs, four of which were won consecutively between 1999 and 2002.  He is also a 10 time All-Star, led his league in strikeouts nine times, and ERA four times. 

The Big Unit has over 4,000 strike-outs and as mentioned above is within grasp of becoming only the second man with 5,000. He tied the record for most strikeouts in one nine inning game with 20, and had two two games where he struck out 19.

In the 2001 World Series he had a record-tying three wins in a series, the last two coming in Games 6 and 7, no other pitcher has ever done that.  He was awarded the World Series co-MVP with Curt Schilling for it.

When you list the accomplishments of the man all together and mention he did not throw his first pitch in the big leagues until he was 25 with Expos.  He also was one of the leaders on Mariners team that put them on the map in 1990s.  He is not only the best picther of his generation, he is in the discussion of top 10 or 15 pitchers of all-time.

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