Mariners News: Randy Johnson Praises M’s in HOF Speech

On Sunday afternoon in quiet and quaint Cooperstown, N.Y., Randy Johnson took his place among baseball’s all-time greats by being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Johnson, who spent parts of 10 years in Seattle (1989-1998), is second only to Felix Hernandez as the best pitcher in Mariners history. He’s already a member of the Mariners Hall of Fame.

From a performance standpoint, Johnson anchored the franchise’s pitching staff for a decade. He went 130-74 in those years, pitching to a 3.42 ERA. He was one of the most intimidating pitchers in baseball history, with his long hair, scowl, and nearly 100 MPH fastball.

As a Mariner, he was a five-time all-star. He won the Cy Young Award in 1995.

Perhaps more important than performance alone was what Johnson helped build in Seattle. Those 1995 Mariners saved baseball in the city. There are no 2001 Mariners without the ’95 Mariners. There are no current Mariners in Seattle without 1995.

And on Sunday, Johnson did not forget Seattle or the 1995 Mariners. Dan Wilson attended the ceremony, as did several members of Mariners ownership and the front office team.

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Below are some of Randy’s quotes, transcribed by Mariners.com:

“The trade to Seattle set my career in motion,” Johnson said. “It was my apprenticeship, 10 years there. I played with Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Omar Vizquel, Dan Wilson and so many more. Ken Griffey Jr. will surely be here next year.

“There were some lean years there in Seattle as we were learning to play our game,” he said. “Lou Piniella came into place and ‘Refuse to Lose’ became our motto in 1995. With his leadership and guidance, we came down in 1995 to a one-game playoff.

“Ironically enough I would pitch against the same gentleman I got traded for to Montreal, Mark Langston, in a one-game playoff for the AL West. It was a very magical moment for Seattle, and I’m very proud to have played there for 10 years. Thank you, Seattle.”

Johnson may have gone onto win World Championships and more Cy Young’s with the Diamondbacks, but he will forever be an influential Mariner, and one of the best Mariners in history.

Go M’s.

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