![\"Randy](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2814986696_e39d01a279_m_Randy-Johnson.jpg\" "\\"Randy")
Photo by SD Dirk<\/a> Six-foot-ten inch Randy Johnson stood tall, threw downhill and brought the heat.\u00a0\u00a0 Drafted in the second round of the 1985 MLB draft (by the Montreal Expos) out of the University of Southern California, he pitched his way into the Hall of Fame during a 22-season major-league career that featured 303 victories (22nd<\/sup> all time) and 4,975 regular-season strikeouts (second only to Nolan Ryan). He was also ten-time time All Star and five-time Cy Young Award winner (second only to Roger Clemens’ seven).<\/p>\n Brett Carroll – One for the Ages.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Brett Carroll, a .201 career hitter (2007-12 \u2026 Marlins\/Brewers\/Nationals), faced Randy Johnson in just one game (June 8, 2009), but he will have a story to share long into the future. Johnson gave up three runs in five innings of a 4-0 Giants\u2019 loss to the Marlins \u2013 and Carroll drove in all three tallies. He only batted twice against Johnson, hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning (Carroll’s first MLB long ball) and adding a triple in the fourth.\u00a0 Not bad.\u00a0 Two career at bats against Johnson \u2013 with two hits and seven total bases. I\u2019d leave out the part about Johnson being 45-year-old and in his late MLB season at the time. Although The Big Unit did go 8-6, 4.88 with 86 strikeouts in 96 innings that season.)<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In the post, we’ll take a look at a lineup of hitters who seemed to have Randy Johnson’s number.\u00a0 It’s part of a series inspired by Pedro Martinez.<\/p>\n Who\u2019s Your Daddy?\u00a0 What It’s All About.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n On September 24, 2004, in the middle of a tight pennant race, the Yankees handed future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and the Boston Red Sox a tough 6-4 loss.\u00a0 Martinez went 7 1\/3 innings giving up nine hits and five earned runs.\u00a0 The game came just five days after (in his previous start) Martinez had lasted just five frames against the Bronx Bombers (eight hits, eight earned runs) in a 16-7 loss.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n After that second loss, Martinez candidly commented, “What can I say? I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy.\u201d\u00a0 Little did he know that his comment \u2013 and a Yankee fans\u2019 chant of \u201cWho\u2019s your daddy?\u201d would follow him into future starts in New York (all the way to his final MLB start \u2013 against the Yankees for the Phillies – in Game Six of the 2009 World Series.)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The concept of \u201cWho\u2019s your daddy?\u201d became the inspiration for Baseball Roundtable to take a look at the players who \u201chad the number\u201d of some of MLB\u2019s premier pitchers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Here are links to the previous editions of this series:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n BBRT Note:\u00a0 Keep in mind, the pitchers included in the “Who’s your daddy?” series are among the “best in the business.” They are selected not because of the players who performed well against them, but rather because solid hitter performance when they were on the mound was the exception rather than the rule.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Now, a look at the mound resume that earned Johnson a spot in this series – and then a lineup of players who seemed up to the task of facing Johnson’s downhill heat.<\/p>\n “Randy (Johnson) carries his emotions on his sleeve. So when Randy gets pumped, it’s pretty much wise to just go home. When he gets that look in his eyes, you know you’re not going tog get a hit off him. “<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a016-season major leaguer Mark Grace<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n During his career, Johnson won 20 or more games in three seasons, leading the NL with 24 victories (five losses) in 2002.\u00a0 He also led his league in strikeouts nine times; winning percentage, ERA and complete games four times each; shutouts and innings pitched twice. \u00a0Like a fine wine, Johnson aged well. He fanned 300 or more batters in five seasons \u2013 four after turning age 35. Similarly, he earned the NL Cy Young Award in his age 35, 35, 37 and 38 seasons. (\u00a0 In short, he was an intimidating and superbly effect presence on the mound.<\/p>\n But again, this post is not about the many batters Johnson dispatched to the dugout shaking their heads.\u00a0 It\u2019s about a lineup of hitters who stood tall versus\u00a0 “The Big Unit.”\u00a0 As you go through this lineup, you\u2019ll find some hitters you might have expected, like Albert Pujols and Chipper Jones at the corner infield spots, and some that may seem less likely, say Ty Wigginton at second base.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n –—The Randy Jones \u201cWho\u2019s Your Daddy?\u201d Lineup—<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Regular-season stats – 10 at bat versus Johnson minimum.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Catcher – Paul Lo Duca … RHH, 5’10”, 193 lbs. (Twenty career hits versus Johnson<\/em>)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Nobody had more regular-season hits in his career against Johnson than Paul Lo Duca (20 hits in 21 games and 63 at bats (.317 average). Not only that, his 14 RBI\u00a0 are second only to Manny Ramirez\u2019 17 against the big southpaw. To top it off, Lo Duca had a pretty good strikeout-to-walk ratio versus Johnson \u2013 five walks and six whiffs.<\/p>\n Lo Duca is one of those players whom BBRT thinks doesn\u2019t get enough attention.\u00a0 In an 11-season MLB career (1998-2008 \u2026 Dodgers\/Marlins\/Mets\/Nationals), the four-time All Star hit .286, with 80 home runs and 481 RBI. His best season was 2001, when he went .320-25-90 for the Dodgers.<\/p>\n I also consider Ivan Rodriguez<\/strong> for this spot. I-Rod had 21 hits against Johnson. Those 21 safeties were the most of any batter against Johnson, but two of them came in the post-season. In the regular-season, he hit .244 (19-for-78) with one home run and five RBI against Johnson.\u00a0 Lo Duca clearly deserves this spot.<\/p>\n T<\/strong>here\u2019s Statistics and then there\u2019s ….<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 2003, Paul Lo Duca led MLB in runners thrown out stealing (but he also allowed the second most stolen bases). In 2004, he reversed those \u2013 allowing the most stolen bases (but throwing out the second most baser runners.)\u00a0 Al in all, it looks like Lo Duca was consistently tested.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ——————————————————–<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n First Base \u2013 Albert Pujols … RHH, 6’3″, 235 lbs. (13 RBI in xx games versus Johnson<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Marianne O’Leary<\/a> Albert Pujols hit a healthy .458 (in 24 regular-season games) against Randy Johnson.\u00a0 He was 11-for-24 and eight of those 11 hits went for extra bases (three doubles and five home runs).\u00a0 He also had 13 RBI versus Johnson. So, despite have the 196th<\/sup> most plate appearances versus the HOF southpaw, Pujols was number-two in home runs and number-three in RBI against him (regular season).\u00a0 In Pujols’ final game against Johnson (June 30, 2009), in fact in his final two at bats against him, the 1B\/OF hit a pair of home runs.<\/p>\n Pujols, still active, is a sure Hall of Famer. In 10 seasons (2001-19 \u2026 Cardinals\/Angels), he has collected 3,202 hits (.300 average), 656 home runs and 2,075 RBI. He is a 10-time All Star, three-time league Most Valuable Player and was the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n Jack of All Trades<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 2002, Alert Pujols took the field defensively at 1B, 3B, SS, LF and RF.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Pujols has led his league in runs scored five times, home runs twice and hits, doubles, RBI and batting average once each. He has hit 30 or more home runs in 14 season, topped 100 RBI in 14 seasons and hit .300 or better in 11 campaigns.\u00a0 He is also .323-19-54 in 77 post-season games.<\/p>\n Consistency is Not a Hobgoblin<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Albert Pujols, famously, topped .300, 30 home runs and 100 RBI in each of his first ten MLB seasons. He came close in his 11th<\/sup> campaign, .299-37-99.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ——————————————-<\/p>\n Second Base \u2013 Ty Wigginton … (.393 average versus Johnson)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ty Wigginton hit .393 and popped four long balls in xx games against Randy Johnson \u2013 all this after going zero-for-four in his first game against him (August 5, 2002).\u00a0 Wigginton\u2019s success against the HOFer is a bit of a surprise, since Wigginton was a .261 career hitter over 12 seasons (2002-2013 \u2026 Mets\/Pirates\/Devil Rays\/Astros\/Orioles\/Rockies\/Phillies\/Cardinals). Still, he had his moments \u2013 topping 20 home runs in four campaigns and making the AL All Star squad, as an Oriole, in 2010.<\/p>\n Where\u2019s Waldo?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ty Wigginton was a true journey man. In 12 MLB seasons, he suited up for eight different MLB teams \u2013 and started games at 1B,2B, 3B, LF RF and DH,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In nine games against Randy Johnson, Wigginton started for four different teams (Astros, Devil Rays, Pirates, Mets) and at four different positions (1B, 2B, 3B, LF).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Wigginton\u2019s career line is .261-169-594.<\/p>\n ———————————————————-<\/p>\n Third Base \u2013 Chipper Jones … SH, 6’4″, 210 lbs. (Six regular-season home runs, the most of any batter versus Johnson<\/em>)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 12 games against Johnson, Hall of Famer Chipper Jones hit .361, with six home runs and eight RBI.\u00a0 Those six home runs are the most by any batter against Johnson and the second-most Jones had against any<\/em> pitcher.\u00a0 (He had seven career, regular-season long balls off Steve Trachsel, but in more than twice as many games (29 versus Trachsel and 12 versus Johnson). Jones did the most damage in 2000, when he faced Jones six times in two games and went four-for-six, with three home runs and five RBI. That season, Johnson was 19-7, 2.64, with 347 strikeouts in 248 2\/3 innings \u2013 capturing his third Cy Young Award.<\/p>\n Bad Bookends<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you looked at his first and last games against Randy Johnson, you would not expect Chipper Jones to have put up good numbers against the big southpaw.\u00a0 The first time he faced Johnson (September 2, 1998), Jones, went zero-for-four, with a ground out and three swinging strikeouts.\u00a0 \u00a0The final game in which he faced Johnson (May 27, 2009), Chipper went zero-for-three, with all three appearance ending in a strikeout (two swinging, one looking). So, for those book-ending games, Jones was zero-for-seven with six whiffs.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I did look consider a couple of other third baseman for this spot. Mike Blowers,<\/strong> who hit .563 against Johnson in six games (nine-for-sixteen) and Phil Nevin<\/strong>, who drove in the third-most runs against Johnson (13 in 24 games).\u00a0 Blowers’ line against Johnson was .563-0-7, while Nevin was .261-3-13. \u00a0Jones got the edge for combing average and power.<\/p>\n Jones enjoyed a 19-season career (1993, 1995-2012 \u2026 Braves) \u2013 hitting .303, with 468 home runs and 1,623 RBI. He was an eight-time All Star and the 1999 National League MVP.\u00a0 He also won the 2008 NL batting title. While he never led his league in home runs, Jones hit 30 or more in six seasons and 20 or more in 14 campaigns. He had 100 or more RBI in nine seasons \u2013 eight consecutive (1996-2003). He stole 150 bases in his career, with a high of 25 in 1999.<\/p>\n Trivia that is Not so Trivial<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Chipper Jones had more walks (1,512) than whiffs (1,409) in his career.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Only Mickey Mantle (536) and Eddie Murray (504) have more home runs among switch hitters than Chipper Jones (468).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Only Eddie Murray has more RBI (1,917) among switch hitters than Chipper Jones (1,623).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Chipper Jones is one of only two switch hitters with at least 5,000 plate appearances to hit .300 or better from both sides of the plate.\u00a0 Jones hit .303 left-handed and .304 right-handed.\u00a0 The other, by the way, is Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch, who hit .319 lefty and.308 righty over a 19-season MLB career (1919-37).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Chipper Jones is one of only two Braves with a career on- base percentage (with the Braves) over .400.\u00a0 Jones OBP was .401.\u00a0\u00a0 By comparison, Hank Aaron’s OBP in 21-seasons with the Braves was .377.\u00a0 Billy Hamilton, who played with Braves (Beaneaters) franchise from 1896-1901 had the highest OBP for the team (.456).\u00a0 In a 14-season MLB career \u2013 from 1888-1901 \u2013 Hamilton .344, with a .455 OBP.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n —————————————————<\/p>\n Shortstop \u2013 Miguel Tejada … RHH, 5’9″, 220 lbs.\u00a0 (Hit .386 versus Johnson<\/em>)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 16 games against Johnson, Miguel Tejada hit .386, with two home runs and eight RBI.\u00a0 In addition, he had a 1-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio (five walks\/five whiffs).\u00a0 I should note this was a very close call.\u00a0 I also considered Randy Velarde<\/strong> and Rich Aurilia<\/strong> for this spot. Velarde faced off against Johnson in 13 career regular-season games and hit .452 (19-for-42). His 19 hits tied for the second-most regular-season safeties against Johnson. Velarde, however, had no home runs, seven RBI (one fewer than Tejada) and walked four times, while fanning ten.\u00a0 Aurilia took the field (and batter’s box) against Johnson in 18 games and hit .333 (18-for-59), with three home runs and six RBI.\u00a0 He walked five times against The Big Unit and fanned 16. Anyone of these three would have fit in here. I subjectively gave Tejada a slight edge for putting the ball in play.<\/p>\n Tejada played 16 MLB seasons (1997-2011, 2013 \u2026 A\u2019s\/Orioles\/Astros\/Padres\/Giants\/Royals).\u00a0 He hit .285, with 307 home runs and 1,302 RBI. He was a six-time All Star and the 2002 American League MVP (.308-34-131 for the A\u2019s).\u00a0 Tejada hit 30 or more home runs in four seasons, drove in 100+ tallies in six seasons and hit .300+ in five.\u00a0 Miguel Tejada is one of only 25 MLB players to drive in at 150 or more runs in a season.\u00a0 (In 2004, he went .311-34-150 for the Orioles.)<\/p>\n We May not Know where Waldo is, but We Do Know where Miguel is – on the Field<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Between June 2, 2000 and June 21, 2007 \u2013 a seven-year span \u2013 Miguel Tejada did not miss a game. His 1,152 consecutive games played is MLB\u2019s fifth-longest streak.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n ——————————————————<\/p>\n Outfield \u2013 Barry Bonds …\u00a0LHH, 6’1″, 185 lbs. – or so it says in Baseball-Reference.com. (Walked once every 5.6 plate appearance versus Randy Johnson<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Barry Bonds faced off against Randy Johnson 62 times in 19 games \u2013 and put up a .306 average, with three home runs and 12 RBI.\u00a0 Just as important, he walked 11 times and struck out just six (and was HBP twice) – for a .452 on-base percentage.<\/p>\n Putting the ball in play.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 2004, Barry Bonds faced Randy Johnson 15 times and did not strikeout once (three hits, two walks, two HBP).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Barry Bonds played 22 MLB seasons (1986-2007 \u2026 Pirates\/Giants).\u00a0 He was a 14-time All Star, eight-time Gold Glover and seven-time MVP. He led the NL in home runs twice (an MLB record 73 in 2001); batting average twice; ruins scored once; RBI once; and walks 12 times. He finished his career with a .298-762-2,558 line and holds the career and single-season home runs records, as well as the career RBI record.\u00a0 In addition, his career\u00a0 2,558 walks and 688 intentional walks are MLB highs. (He led his league in intentional walks 12 times – with a high of, and MLB-record, 120 in 2004. There is, of course, that \u201celephant in the room.”<\/p>\n ______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Not a Lot of Action<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Rickey Henderson struck more often against Randy Johnson than any other batter \u2013 30 times in 85 plate appearances\/59 at bats.\u00a0 He also walked more times against Johnson than any other batter (26 times).\u00a0 When he did make contact, Henderson hit .119 (7-for-59) against him).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n _______________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Outfield \u2013 Moises Alou … RHH, 6’3″, 185 lbs. (.571 batting average against Johnson)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-inject\/images\/cc.png\")
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![\"Johnson](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Johnson-Ks..jpg\")
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![\"Lo](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Lo-DucaF.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Albert](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/6935522088_4565672208_q_Albert-Pujols.jpg\" "\\"Albert")
<\/a><\/small><\/p><\/div>\n![\"PujolsUNit\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/PujolsUNit.jpg\")
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<\/a>Moises Alou\u2019s .571 average (8-for-14) against Randy Johnson is the highest of any hitter with at least 10 at bats against the HOF lefty, He did most of his damage during the 2000 season, when he played two games against Johnson and went three-for-five, with a walk, home run and four RBI. In his five career games against Johnson, he was never held hitless.<\/p>\n
![\"AlouUnitg\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AlouUnitg.jpg\")
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