Will he go in as a Diamondback? I certainly hope so, but you can make a case for Seattle as well (more time, even though the best stretch of his career was certainly here).

The scariest thing about the Big Unit is how good his numbers might have been if he’d been at his Arizona level earlier in his career (say, before 28). I mean, you toss in another four, five years at his peak and we might be talking about one of the top three pitchers of all-time. As it is, top 10 certainly seems fitting.

the second debate is naturally:

Should Randy Johnson be the first Diamondback to have his number retired? Do we even support the idea of retiring numbers?

With Arizona seals it for me. It has to be with the D-Backs.

Nothing big yet, but, just that he’s definitely retiring.

IMHO, it HAS to be Dbacks…

was on ESPN News this whole time. Drat.

Would that I had the ability to change the headline to “Randy Johnson announces retirement.”

No other player was a bigger factor in the transition from ‘expansion’ to ‘respectable’ team than RJ. He is one of the biggest parts of the team’s history, given that the team has a (very) short history.
Oh, yeah, there was that one year…when the team won…everything. I seem to recall that he kinda, sorta had a roll in that.

was he one of the most instrumental pitchers in D’backs history?

Yes

did he help put the franchise on the map competitively?

Yes

Did he win major awards with the team?

Yes

Did he put butts in seats?

Yes

Then retire his number and say thank you for what he’s done. Yeah he got paid, but this is about building a history and a legacy, is there any really compelling reason not to? No caveats, no conditions, simply do the right thing.

according to ESPN, Johnson has a one year agreement to work with the Diamondbacks in a “community” role.

he did throw that perfect game for us.

I’d just like to reiterate a point that was made earlier: The Big Unit’s time made Diamonback baseball in Arizona viable.

The Mariners became a franchise in late seventies and were already an established team prior to Johnson’s arrival.

Prior to Diamondbacks, the state of Arizona had plenty of teams to root for. The valley of the sun was the leading migratory spot for snow birds and families all fleeing the midwest/east coast in search of better weather and new opportunities… and they brought their passion for baseball/allegences with them. That, coupled with the fact that there were already half a dozen teams here for spring training. Native Zonies across several generations didn’t have anything to call their own.

The Diamondbacks were in their second year when the Unit arrived and with the team squarely on his shoulders, won the NL West. We all know how the rest of history plays out. Johnson made baseball work here in the valley.

Baseball is a game a stats. Stats are what get you into Cooperstown and although I’d die a little if Johnson went in as a Mariner, the case can be made for it…. However, to tie my entire ramble together, induction into the Hall of Fame should also draw on what the Inductee meant to a city/state and a franchise… which Johnson does to the state of Arizona and your Arizona Diamondbacks.