Big Unit Operating Smoothly

You can only look so far into spring training statistics, but one gets the sense that Randy Johnson is about to put up a big season:

Randy Johnson wasn’t as overpowering as in his previous start (seven strikeouts, three innings), but he was just as effective in 31/3 scoreless innings in a 10-1 victory over the A’s. His ERA through three outings is 1.08, and that might be by design.

“When I come to a new team, I feel like I need to impress them and do well to a certain extent,” said Johnson, 45, adding he usually starts slowly in spring training . . . “These are giant strides for me, considering where I’ve been in the past. My back feels great,” he said. “I’m just trying to get my arm where it needs to be.”

Everyone seemed to be sleeping on Johnson this winter. I have this feeling everyone except the Giants are going to regret it.


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themarksmith
15 years ago

“giant strides”. Okay Randy, you’re making this a little too easy.

Rob
15 years ago

Wake me in June.  I don’t exactly recall his coming to the Yankees to be too impressive.

Wooden U. Lykteneau
15 years ago

I thought after the bat story we were done with “that’s what she said”-type headlines?

Craig Calcaterra
15 years ago

Nah, we’re just done with the potentially racist ones.  I’ll never give up dick jokes.  That’s like 50% of my material.

Leo
15 years ago

Right, because a lot of 45-year-old pitchers put up big numbers.  [/Sarcasm]

APBA Guy
15 years ago

About 10 innings pitched in Spring training. Better his line than some others, but aside from Giants fans, there’s nothing to see here folks, move along.

Nick
15 years ago

Doesn’t this worry anyone?  The guy has had a notoriously creaky back after starting SLOWLY every year.  If I was a Giants fan, I’d be worried that all he’s doing is speeding up his next DL stint.

Nate
15 years ago

Randy is famously cranky and stubborn. He wants to throw 300 in everybody’s face. I’m believeing in him until he gets to that mark. After that, I’m ready to jump ship at any moment.