By the numbers: Randy Johnson’s perfect game
May 19, 2013, 10:43 PM | Updated: May 20, 2013, 6:52 am
As a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Randy Johnson won four Cy Young Awards, made five All-Star Games and was named the 2001 World Series co-MVP.
But one of the more indelible moments during his time in the Valley came on a May night at Turner Field when everything was perfect.
27 up and 27 down.
This weekend marks the nine-year anniversary of the Big Unit’s perfect game, so to honor the achievement here’s a look back at his historic night by the numbers.
1: Only once during his perfect game did Johnson reach a 3-ball count against a Braves’ batter.
2: Johnson’s perfect game marked the second time in his career he had thrown a no-hitter. In June 1990, he no-hit the Detroit Tigers as a member of the Seattle Mariners. His 14-year stretch between no-no’s is the longest for any pitcher in MLB history.
7: Rarely are catchers remembered during perfect games — outside of Yogi Berra jumping on Don Larsen’s shoulders in the 1956 World Series — but Robby Hammock’s place in history is unique given that he was 13 years younger than Johnson on May 14, 2008.
13: Of Johnson’s 27 straight outs, 13 came by way of the strikeout.
17: At the time, the future Hall of Famer’s perfecto was the 17th in MLB history. In the last nine years, it’s happened six times.
18.8: The 10-time All-Star didn’t have a problem mowing down most of Atlanta’s lineup, except for Johnny Estrada. The Braves catcher saw 18.8 percent of Johnson’s total pitches on the night, including 13 that he fouled out of play.
40: At the age of 40, Johnson became the oldest pitcher in baseball ever to throw a perfect game. Cy Young previously was the oldest when he achieved the feat in 1904.
46.67: Johnson’s perfect night was not recorded in front of a stadium full of fans. Only 46.67 percent (23,381 fans) of Turner Field was filled.
87: Perfection requires a bit of luck, but in Johnson’s case, it also required a bit of efficiency. The left-hander threw 87 of his 117 pitches for strikes.
98: Johnson’s last pitch of the night to Eddie Perez came in at 98 MPH. Perez would strike out on the pitch to end the game.
