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Making a switch Big Unit replaces Schilling as National League starter
Updated: Tuesday July 10, 2001 7:26 PM
SEATTLE (AP) -- Curt Schilling was scratched as the National League's starting pitcher in Tuesday night's All-Star Game and was replaced by former Mariners star Randy Johnson. Schilling, currently the Big Unit's teammate on the Arizona Diamondbacks, made the decision Monday night, but the announcement was delayed until about four hours before the first pitch. "People may find it hard to believe, but Friday's start at Anaheim is more important than throwing one inning in the All-Star Game," Schilling said. He threw 101 pitches over seven innings Sunday in a loss to Oakland and when he was announced as the starter by Bobby Valentine the following day, the NL manager said he had Johnson in reserve in case Schilling didn't feel up to pitching Tuesday. "I completely anticipated starting," Johnson said. "I heard about it this morning. It's a great honor." Johnson, an eight-time All-Star, opposed Roger Clemens of the New York Yankees. The pair are among only three pitchers ever to strike out 20 in the first nine innings of a game, joined by Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs. Johnson accomplished the feat earlier this season in a game that went into extra innings.
It was the fourth start in an All-Star Game for Johnson, one short of the record shared by Don Drysdale, Lefty Gomez and Robin Roberts. He opened for the American League in 1995 at Arlington, Texas, and in 1997 at Cleveland, then was the National League starter last year at Atlanta's Turner Field. "It wasn't an easy choice between the two of them at the beginning," Valentine said. "Being in Seattle, I considered starting Randy. But because of Curt's first half I went with him." Johnson is 11-5 this season with a 2.71 ERA, third in the NL behind Greg Maddux (2.41) and John Burkett (2.49) of Atlanta. The left-hander leads the major leagues with 202 strikeouts; Schilling is second with 160. "I'm 37. I still feel like I'm in the prime of my career," Johnson said. Clemens, who turns 39 next month, and Johnson are 1-2 on the career strikeout list among active players. Clemens is fifth on the career list at 3,626 and Johnson is 10th at 3,242. Schilling (11-4) said he felt fine doing his off-day throwing Tuesday and didn't plan to pitch at all in the All-Star Game. "I made the decision late last night," he said. "I felt that if I had slept on it, I might make the wrong decision." That's why Valentine had the Big Unit waiting in reserve. "I wasn't totally surprised," the manager said. "Yesterday, he said he didn't feel as good as he usually feels after starts."
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