Ranking Randy Johnson's 5 best performances for the Seattle Mariners

When it comes to the best players in Seattle Mariners history, we're talking about the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Edgar Martínez, and Félix Hernández. However, there's no doubt you also have to include a certain Randy Johnson, one of the most dominant pitchers in the game during his time in Seattle between 1989 and 1998.

Johnson recently made the news, with the announcement by the Mariners that they're going to retire his No. 51 jersey next season in a pre-game ceremony — the exact date will be confirmed after the 2026 MLB schedule has been released. As such, we thought we would share five of the Big Unit's best ever performances during his tenure with the M's.

5. Club-record 19 Ks in complete game shutout

Hernández has the Mariners' all-time record for strikeouts with 2,524 ahead of Johnson's 2,162. On the flip side, however, where the latter has the edge is in average Ks per 9.0 innings with 10.6, compared to 8.3 by "King Félix."

Nowhere was Johnson's dominance in this area better illustrated than when he had a franchise-record 19 strikeouts on August 8, 1997 at home in the Kingdome against the Chicago White Sox. He had already done this once earlier that season, but in a 4-1 loss to the Athletics, whereas this time he orchestrated a 5-0 win as he similarly went the full nine innings.

4. Best playoff start in Seattle

We understand there will be some debate over Johnson's best ever start for the Mariners in the playoffs, even though there are only five to choose from. However, for us it has to be his outing in Game 3 of the 1995 ALCS, with the M's travelling to Cleveland after splitting the first two contests at home in Seattle.

The five-time Cy Young winner might have "only" produced six strikeouts, but he went 8.0 innings and allowed just four hits, two walks and two runs (one earned) in front of a hostile crowd of 43,643 at Jacobs Field. While it was ultimately Jay Buhner who proved to be the hero with a three-run homer in the top of the 11th, the Mariners don't get to extra innings without Johnson's outstanding performance.

3. 1990 no-hitter vs. Tigers

We move on now to Johnson's no-hitter on June 2, 1990 at home against the Detroit Tigers. It's always a big deal when you can get a no-hitter in baseball, but this one has extra significance as the first one in Mariners franchise history.

It was by no means a smooth performance, as evidenced by Johnson walking six batters and needing 138 pitches to get through his nine innings, with him later admitting: "I was far from perfect that day. I was a very young pitcher who really didn't have any idea where the ball was going." At the end of the day though his no-hitter is still not something to undermine, as he led the Mariners to a 2-0 win over the Tigers.

2. Johnson comes in to help save the day and the city

We continue with what is still the signature game in Mariners history and of which Johnson was such a key part: Game 5 of the 1995 ALDS at home versus the hated New York Yankees.

Andy Benes started for the Mariners, but when it came to crunch time in the ninth inning, Lou Piniella turned to the nine-time strikeout leader despite the fact he'd started just two days earlier in a Game 3 win which ignited the M's recovery from a seemingly lost cause with a 2-0 deficit.

Johnson proved to be at his electric best as he struck out six over 3.0 innings, and overall showed just why he was so renowned for his endurance, toughness and ability to intimidate the opposition. He only allowed one hit and, even though it did give the Yankees a 5-4 lead in the top of the 11th, this only helped set the stage for the most dramatic of endings in the bottom of the inning, with fellow Hall of Famer Edgar Martínez driving home the tying and winning runs.

1. First division title in Mariners history

Having somehow overcome a 13-game deficit to the Angels in early August, the Mariners forced a one-game playoff in the Kingdome to decide who would win the AL West in 1995. And of course it was Johnson who was entrusted with helping the team win their first division title in franchise history.

The 10-time All-Star subsequently came through in scintillating fashion. He went all 9.0 innings, in the process allowing just three hits, one walk and one earned run while also striking out 12 on 125 pitches. The Mariners won 9-1 and secured their first ever trip to the playoffs, in a season which is often described as the one which saved baseball in Seattle.

Honorable mentions

First playoff game: 7.0 innings, 4 hits, 4 walks, 2 runs, 10 Ks, 7-4 win vs. Yankees, Game 3 ALDS 1995

First complete game: 5 hits, 3 walks, 2 runs (1 earned), 12 Ks, 5-2 win vs. Blue Jays, July 23 1989

Highest WPA: 9.0 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 0 runs, 9 Ks, 1-0 wins vs. Athletics, May 25 1994

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