The Unit

For a season that seemed destined to be highlighted by a draft pick who will have no impact on the franchise in 2009, it's nice for Washington Nationals fans to see history on the field. The Nats are the worst team in baseball, and arguably the worst run team as well. (I'm still anxiously anticipating Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge rioting in the D.C. streets.)

But Thursday, they witnessed something that's only happened 23 times before in Major League history.

Randy Johnson's 300th career win was not classic Big Unit domination. The strike outs were few (2). The pitch count was low (78). And Johnson lasted just six innings.

It's clear Johnson doesn't have much left in the tank. But considering the Mariners wrote him off 11 years ago, citing his back wouldn't hold up, Johnson has undoubtedly left his mark as quite possibly the greatest left-handed pitcher ever.

Johnson's career numbers are staggering. His five Cy Young awards ranks him second all-time. But consider this, Johnson's numbers in 1993, 1994, 1997 and 2004 very well could have given him a career total of nine Cy Young's.

Johnson lost out on the award to a roided out hillbilly named Roger Clemens in 1997 and 2004. In 93, despite having a better winning percentage, almost twice as many strike outs and a .203 BAA (63 points lower than the winner), Johnson finished second to Black Jack McDowell. And his 1994 campaign was marginally better than David Cone's.

RJ may not have been the best teammate ever. He may have been a prick to the media too. But when a game needed to be won, Johnson could always be counted on to match his grit and determination with unprecedented talent on the mound.

It's funny how every pitcher over 6-8 gets compared to Johnson. The Mariners even tried to replicate their sucess with Johnson by drafting a slack-jawed high school goon named Ryan Anderson, who mirrored Johnson in height and pitching style, only to fall short in smarts and skill.

The truth is there is no comparable pitcher to Johnson. While he just joined 23 other all-time greats in the record books, Johnson is clearly in a class by himself.