Big Unit cruises in spring debut
D-Backs' Johnson finally gets revenge on Wildcats
Posted: Wednesday March 03, 1999 07:34 PM
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The Big Unit got even -- big time -- with the Arizona Wildcats. AP |
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Revenge is sweet, Randy Johnson
joked, even after 14 years.
The last time Johnson faced the University of Arizona, he walked six
and was shelled for six runs on 13 hits in a 7-3 loss.
That was 1985. He was no Big Unit then, just an extremely tall,
extremely wild junior at USC.
Johnson took the mound against the Wildcats again on Wednesday, making
his Arizona
Diamondbacks debut by methodically striking out four of the six batters
he faced in two perfect innings.
"I'm getting back at U of A after all those beatings I used to take at
USC," Johnson said.
Two of the college players, 19-year-old Keoni DeRenne and 21-year-old
Dennis Anderson, managed to bounce out to shortstop, the biggest groundouts
of their lives.
"He was almost like the Eiffel Tower because I'm only 5-foot-7,"
DeRenne said. "He's immense. It was just awesome, man. Hopefully they got
it on videotape because I'd like to show it to my kids someday."
Johnson, who warned last week not to expect anything overwhelming from
him in spring training, threw 31 pitches. Five were call strikes, seven
were swinging strikes, six were fouls, 11 were balls and two were hit in
play.
He threw a couple of breaking balls and change-ups, but mostly
four-seam and two-seam fastballs.
"I'm a little disappointed the breaking ball wasn't there but I'm
always that way in spring training," Johnson said. "I just went out there
to work on my mechanics and my arm strength."
Johnson, who signed a four-year, $52.4 million contract with the
Diamondbacks, strolled to the mound at Tucson Electric Park under bright
sunshine in 80-degree weather. In the distance beyond left field, the
Catalina Mountains provided a scenic backdrop to what amounted to a
historic moment for the second-year franchise.
The Diamondback purple was the fourth major-league uniform Johnson has
worn. He started his career with Montreal and spent 9 1/2 seasons as a
Seattle Mariner. For a half-season last year, he was a Houston Astro. Now
he's the marquee addition to a high-priced rotation that could vault
Arizona into National League contention.
"It was exciting," Johnson said, "not nearly exciting as the first
start I make in LA [the April 5 season opener against Kevin Brown in
Dodger Stadium] or probably even more so when I make my first start at Bank
One. But it's going to be an exciting four years for this organization and
for myself."
The crowd obviously favored the college kids.
"You've beat him before, you can beat him again," one fan yelled.
As they looked up at the 6-foot-10 left-hander, probably the most
intimidating pitcher in the game, the college players showed no obvious
fear but were plenty anxious, helping Johnson out by swinging at a few high
hard ones out of the strike zone.
Johnson didn't want to hit anybody.
"I get worried if it's a guy up there making millions of dollars, let
alone a young kid trying to get a college education," he said. "He might be
president of the United States someday. You never know."
The Diamondbacks eventually won the game 10-2, an outcome that will be
quickly lost to the big-leaguers in the 162-game season to come.
But the six college players who went to the plate against Johnson will
never forget it.
"Just to have the opportunity to face Randy Johnson, it's like a dream
come true, it's like a childhood dream," said Erik Torres, who struck out
on three pitches. "Yeah, three pitches, but those three pitches meant a lot
to me."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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