The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed another Trojan into its legendary halls as Randy "the Big Unit" Johnson was inducted into Cooperstown on Sunday. He became USC's third alumnus to receive this recognition joining Tom Seaver (1992) and Pat Gillick (2011).
"So many of the reasons I was inducted into the Hall of Fame are long gone now," said Johnson in his acceptance speech. "I no longer have a fastball. I no longer have a bad mullet. And my scowl is long gone. I'm so happy to be elected to the the Baseball Hall of Fame and be in the greatest fraternity of all time, and [thanks] to you, the fans, for sharing this great moment with me."
Johnson finished his 22-year major league career ranked second on the all-time strikeouts list with five Cy Young Awards including four consecutive from 1999-2002 on his resume. Most notably, the Big Unit led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Series championship in 2001 earning co-MVP honors for his pitching performances. Finally, he joins the short list of 23 pitchers who have thrown a perfect game and he is one of just five pitchers to throw a no-hitter in both the American and National leagues.Â
A Trojan from 1983-1985, the left-handed pitcher finished his collegiate career with his best season, leading the USC pitching staff with 118.1 innings pitched, 99 strikeouts and six starts.Â
