Rainbow Trout
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Subclass:	Neopterygii
Infraclass:	Teleostei
Order:	Salmoniformes
Family:	Salmonidae
Genus:	Oncorhynchus
Species:	O. mykiss
Binomial name
Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)
Subspecies
See text

The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea-run rainbow trout (anadromous) usually returning to freshwater to spawn after two to three years at sea; rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species. The fish are often called salmon trout.^[1] Several other fish in the salmonid family are called trout; some are anadromous like salmon, whereas others are resident in freshwater only.^[2]

The species has been introduced for food or sport to at least 45 countries, and every continent except Antarctica. In some locations, such as Southern Europe, Australia and South America, they have negatively impacted upland native fish species, either by eating them, outcompeting them, transmitting contagious diseases, (such as whirling disease transmitted by Tubifex) or hybridization with closely related species and subspecies that are native to western North America.^[3][4]

Taxonomy[link]

Oncorhynchus mykiss

The species was originally named by Johann Julius Walbaum in 1792 based on type specimens from Kamchatka. Richardson named a specimen of this species Salmo gairdneri in 1836, and in 1855, W. P. Gibbons found a population and named it Salmo iridia, later corrected to Salmo irideus, these names faded, however, once it was determined that Walbaum's type description was conspecific and therefore had precedence (see e.g. Behnke, 1966).^[5] More recently, DNA studies showed rainbow trout are genetically closer to Pacific salmon (Onchorhynchus species) than to brown trout (Salmo trutta) or Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), so the genus was changed.

Unlike the species' former name's epithet iridia (Latin: rainbow), the specific epithet mykiss derives from the local Kamchatkan name 'mykizha'; all of Walbaum's species names were based on Kamchatkan local names.

The oceangoing (anadromous) form (including those returning for spawning) are known as steelheads, (Canada and the United States) or ocean trout (Australia), although they are the same species.

Life cycle[link]

Illustration of a rainbow trout

Like salmon, steelheads are anadromous: they return to their original hatching ground to spawn. Similar to Atlantic salmon, but unlike their Pacific Oncorhynchus salmonid kin, steelheads are iteroparous (able to spawn several times, each time separated by months) and make several spawning trips between fresh and salt water. The steelhead smolts (immature or young fish) remain in the river for about a year before heading to sea, whereas salmon typically return to the seas as smolts. Different steelhead populations migrate upriver at different times of the year. "Summer-run steelheads" migrate between May and October, before their reproductive organs are fully mature. They mature in freshwater before spawning in the spring. Most Columbia River steelheads are "summer-run". "Winter-run steelheads" mature fully in the ocean before migrating, between November and April, and spawn shortly after returning. The maximum recorded life-span for a rainbow trout is 11 years.^[6]

Feeding[link]

Rainbow trout are predators with a varied diet, and will eat nearly anything they can grab. Their image as selective eaters is only a legend. Rainbows are not quite as piscivorous or aggressive as brown trout or lake trout (char). Young rainbows survive on insects, fish eggs, and smaller fish (up to 1/3 of their length), along with crayfish and other crustaceans. As they grow, though, the proportion of fish increases in most all populations. Some lake-dwelling lines may become planktonic feeders. While in flowing waters populated with salmonids, trout eat varied fish eggs, including salmon and cutthroat trout, as well as the eggs of other rainbow trout, alevin, fry, smolt and even leftover carcasses.

Length and weight[link]

As rainbow trout grow, they lengthen and increase in mass. The relationship between length and mass is not linear. The relationship between total length (L, in inches) and total mass (W, in pounds) for steelhead and nearly all other fish can be expressed by an equation of the form:

Failed to parse (Missing texvc executable; please see math/README to configure.): W = cL^b\!\,

The factor b is close to 3.0 for all species, and c is a constant that varies among species. For lentic rainbow trout, b = 2.990 and c = 0.000426, and for lotic rainbow trout, b = 3.024 and c = 0.000370.^[7]

The relationship described in this section suggests a 13 in (33 cm) lentic rainbow trout weighs about 1.0 lb (0.45 kg), while an 18 in (46 cm) lentic rainbow trout weighs about 2.5 lb (1.1 kg).

Threats and conservation[link]

Steelhead trout populations have declined due to human and natural causes. Steelheads (Oncorhynchus mykiss) historically occurred around the North Pacific Ocean from northwestern Mexico in North America to eastern Russia in Asia.^[8]

Two West Coast Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) are endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act (Southern California and Upper Columbia River) and eight ESUs are threatened.^[9] The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has a detailed description of threats. Southern California (south of Point Conception) ESU steelheads have been affected by habitat loss due to dams, confinement of streams in concrete channels, water pollution, groundwater pumping, urban heat island effects, and other byproducts of urbanization.

Several studies have shown almost all California coastal steelheads are of native origin, despite over a century of hatchery stocking. Genetic analysis shows that South Central California Coast (SCCC) distinct population segment (DPS) and Southern California (SC) DPS from Malibu Creek north, and including the San Gabriel River, Santa Ana River and San Mateo Creek, are not hatchery strains. However, steelheads from Topanga Creek and the Sweetwater River were partly, and from San Juan Creek completely, of hatchery origin.^[8] Genetic analysis has also shown the steelheads in the streams of the Santa Clara County and Monterey Bay basins are not of hatchery origin, including the Coyote Creek, Guadalupe River, Pajaro River, Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, San Francisquito Creek, San Lorenzo River, and San Tomas Aquino Creek basins.^[10] Natural waterfalls and two major dams have isolated Russian River anadromous steelheads from its freshwater rainbow trout form above the impassable barriers; however, a recent genetic study of fin samples collected from steelheads at 20 different sites both above and below passage barriers in the watershed found that despite the fact that 30 million hatchery trout were stocked in the river from 1911 to 1925, the steelheads remain of native and not hatchery stock.^[11]

The rainbow trout is susceptible to enteric redmouth disease. A considerable amount of research has been conducted on redmouth disease, given its serious implications for rainbow trout farmers. The disease does not affect humans.^[12]

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has identified 15 populations, called distinct population segments (DPSs), in Washington, Oregon and California.^[13][14] Eleven of these DPSs are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA).^[15] One DPS on the Oregon Coast is designated a U.S. Species of Concern. Species of Concern are those species that lack sufficient data to determine whether to list the species under the ESA.

Rainbow trout, and subspecies thereof, are currently EPA-approved indicator species for acute fresh water toxicity testing.^[16]

In 2010, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hatchery expects to more than double its take over 2009. The 2009 population grew 60% over 2008. Hatchery-taken fish will spawn tens of thousands of juvenile "smolts" that will be released to swim downstream and mature in the Pacific.^[17]

In March 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported the New Zealand mud snail had infested watersheds in the Santa Monica Mountains, complicating efforts to improve stream-water quality for the steelheads. According to the article, the snails have expanded "from the first confirmed sample in Medea Creek in Agoura Hills to nearly 30 other stream sites in four years." Researchers at the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission believe the snails' expansion may have been expedited after the mollusks traveled from stream to stream on the gear of contractors and volunteers.^[18]

Hatcheries have also been demonstrated to present a risk to wild steelhead populations. Releases of conventionally reared hatchery steelheads pose ecological risks to pre-existing wild steelhead populations. Hatchery steelheads are typically larger than the wild forms, and can displace wild-form juveniles from optimal habitats. Dominance of hatchery steelheads for optimal microhabitats within streams may reduce wild steelhead survival as a result of reduced foraging opportunity and increased rates of predation. ^[19]

Gallery[link]

• 

  Male ocean-phase steelhead

• 

  Male spawning-phase steelhead

• 

  Steelhead attempting to jump some rapids

• 

  Steelhead with clear spot pattern on fins and body

Relation to humans[link]

Fishing[link]

Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout and steelhead are both highly desired food and sportfish. A number of angling methods are common. Rainbow trout are a popular target for fly fishers. Spinners, spoons, and small crankbaits can also be used productively, either casting or trolling. Rainbow trout can also be caught on live bait; nightcrawlers, trout worms, and minnows are popular and effective choices. The IGFA recognizes the world record for rainbow trout was caught on Saskatchewan's Lake Diefenbaker by Sean Konrad on September 5, 2009. The fish weighed 48 lb, 0 oz (21.77 kg).

Hatcheries and farms[link]

Rainbow trout, cleaned and iced, in a fish market in Western Australia

The first rainbow trout hatchery was established on San Leandro Creek, a tributary of San Francisco Bay, in 1870, with trout production beginning in 1871. The hatchery was stocked with the locally native rainbow trout, and likely steelheads. The fish raised in this hatchery were shipped to hatcheries out of state for the first time in 1875, to Caledonia, New York^{[disambiguation needed ]} and then in 1876 to Northville, Michigan. In 1877, another rainbow trout hatchery was established on Campbell Creek, a McCloud River tributary. However, the McCloud River stock indiscriminately mixed rainbow trout with Redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss stonei).^[20]

They are farmed in many countries throughout the world. Since the 1950s, commercial production has grown exponentially,^[21] particularly in Europe and recently in Chile. Worldwide, in 2007, 604,695 tonnes (595,145 long tons; 666,562 short tons) of farmed salmon trout were harvested with a value of US$ 2.589 billion.^[22] The largest producer is Chile. In Chile and Norway, ocean cage production of steelheads has expanded to supply export markets. Inland production of rainbow trout to supply domestic markets has increased in countries such as Italy, France, Germany, Denmark and Spain. Other significant producing countries include the USA, Iran, Germany and the United Kingdom.^[22]

There are tribal commercial fisheries for steelhead in Puget Sound, the Washington Coast and in the Columbia River.

Cultivated varieties[link]

Golden rainbow trout are bred from a single mutated color variant of Oncorhynchus mykiss.^[23] Golden rainbow trout are predominantly yellowish, lacking the typical green field and black spots, but retaining the diffuse red stripe.^[23][24] The palomino trout is a mix of golden and common rainbow trout, resulting in an intermediate color. The golden rainbow trout should not be confused with the naturally occurring golden trout.

As food[link]

Rainbow trout and potatoes

Rainbow trout is popular in Western cuisine, and is caught wild and farmed. It has tender flesh and a mild, somewhat nutty flavor. However, farmed trout and those taken from certain lakes have a pronounced earthy flavor which many people find unappealing; many shoppers, therefore, ascertain the source of the fish before buying. Wild rainbow trout that eat scuds (freshwater shrimp), insects such as flies, and crayfish are the most appealing. Dark red/orange meat indicates it is either an anadromous steelhead or a farmed rainbow trout given a supplemental diet with a high astaxanthin content. The resulting pink flesh is marketed under monikers such as Ruby Red or Carolina Red.

Steelhead meat is pink like that of salmon, and is more flavorful than the light-colored meat of rainbow trout.^[25]

Medicine[link]

The sperm of rainbow trout contains protamine, which counters the anticoagulant heparin. Protamine was originally isolated from fish sperm, but is now produced synthetically.

Subspecies[link]

This section needs attention from an expert on the subject. Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the section. WikiProject Fishes may be able to help recruit an expert. (February 2009)

A few populations are recognized as subspecies:

• Kamchatkan rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss mykiss (Walbaum, 1792).
• Columbia River redband trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdnerii (Richardson, 1836).
• Coastal rainbow trout (steelhead trout), Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus (Gibbons, 1855).
• Beardslee trout, isolated in Lake Crescent (Washington), Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus var. beardsleei (not a true subspecies, but a lake-dwelling variety of coastal rainbow trout)^{[citation needed]} (Jordan, 1896).
• Great Basin red trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss newberrii (Girard, 1859).
• Golden trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita (Jordan, 1892).
• Kamloops rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss kamloops (Jordan, 1892).
• Kern River rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita var. gilberti (Jordan, 1894).
• Sacramento golden trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita var. stonei (Jordan, 1894).
• Little Kern golden trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita var. whitei (Evermann, 1906).
• Baja California rainbow trout, Nelson's trout, or San Pedro Martir trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss nelsoni (Evermann, 1908).
• Eagle Lake trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aquilarum (Snyder, 1917).
• McCloud River redband, Oncorhynchus mykiss stonei
• Sheepheaven Creek redband, Oncorhynchus mykiss spp.
• Southern California steelhead DPS, Oncorhynchus mykiss

See also[link]

• Cutbow
• Fly fishing
• Golden trout
• Sport fishing
• Trout worms

Notes[link]

Other references[link]

• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Oncorhynchus mykiss" in FishBase. February 2006 version.
• Halverson, Anders (2010) An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World Yale University Press, ISBN 978-0-300-14088-0. Review Interviews
• "Oncorhynchus mykiss". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=161989. Retrieved 30 January 2006. 
• Scott and Crossman (1985) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bulletin 184. Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Page 189. ISBN 0-660-10239-0
• Salmon and Sea Trout Recognition Atlantic Salmon Trust. Retrieved 15 December 2011.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Wikispecies has information related to: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on Trout

• [1] IGFA World Record for Rainbow Trout
• Map showing endangered species status of West Coast steelhead
• Association of Northwest Steelheaders
• Fish-On! - Full Rainbow Trout Chapter at TheFishingNetwork.com
• Rainbow trout page from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Rainbow trout information from Northern State University
• Australian Aquaculture Portal
• Fishbase.org article on Oncorhynchus mykiss, Rainbow trout
• Kenai River, Alaska Rainbow Trout Fact Page
• ZipcodeZoo fact page
• Season/Timing information for Steelhead in the Great Lakes region
• [2] Huge Alaska Rainbow Trout Photo Page
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game article on life cycle and conservation of Steelhead/Rainbow Trout
• Fishing the North Platte River
• GLANSIS Species FactSheet

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Randy Johnson
Johnson pitching for the San Francisco Giants in 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1963-09-10) September 10, 1963 (age 48) Walnut Creek, California
Batted: Right	Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 15, 1988 for the Montreal Expos
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 2009 for the San Francisco Giants
Career statistics
Win–loss record	303–166
Earned run average	3.29
Strikeouts	4,875
Teams
Montreal Expos (1988–1989) Seattle Mariners (1989–1998) Houston Astros (1998) Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2004) New York Yankees (2005–2006) Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2008) San Francisco Giants (2009)
Career highlights and awards
10× All-Star (1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004) World Series champion (2001) 5× Cy Young Award (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) World Series MVP (2001) Triple Crown (2002) Pitched a no-hitter on June 2, 1990 Pitched a perfect game on May 18, 2004

Randall David "Randy" Johnson (born September 10, 1963), nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams.

The 6-foot-10-inch (2.08 m) Johnson was celebrated for having one of the most dominant fastballs in the game. He regularly approached, and occasionally exceeded, 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) during his prime. He also threw a hard, biting slider. Johnson won the Cy Young Award five times, second only to Roger Clemens' seven.

Johnson finished his career first in strikeouts per nine innings pitched among starting pitchers (10.67), second all-time in total strikeouts (4,875; first among left-handed pitchers), third in hit batsmen (188), tenth in fewest hits allowed per nine innings pitched (7.24), 22nd in wins (303), and 57th in shutouts (37). He pitched two no-hitters, the second of which was the 17th perfect game in baseball history.

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Johnson was born in Walnut Creek, California, to Carol Hannah and Rollen Charles “Bud” Johnson.^[1] By the time he entered Livermore High School, he was a star in baseball and basketball. In 1982, as a senior, he struck out 121 batters in 66 innings, and threw a perfect game in his last high school start. He also played on a Bercovich team that assembled top players from throughout California. After high school he was drafted in 1982 by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round and offered $50,000 to sign. Instead, Johnson accepted a full athletic scholarship to USC, also playing 2 years of basketball. He continued to start at the University of Southern California under coach Rod Dedeaux, but often exhibited control problems.

Major league career (1988–2009)[link]

Montreal Expos (1988–1989)[link]

Johnson was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the second round of the 1985 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut in 1988, and pitched in a total of 11 games for the Expos in 1988 and 1989.

Johnson was among the most feared pitchers in baseball because of his dominant pitching arsenal (fastball, slider), augmented by his intimidating appearance (height, wild mullet hairstyle and mustache), and his angry, energetic demeanor on the mound.^{[citation needed]} Part of his early intimidation factor came from his dramatic lack of control.^{[citation needed]}

Seattle Mariners (1989–1998)[link]

After being traded to the Seattle Mariners by the Expos for Mark Langston during the 1989 season, Johnson led the AL in walks for three consecutive seasons (1990–92), and in hit batsmen in 1992 and 1993. In July 1991, facing the Milwaukee Brewers, the erratic Johnson allowed 4 runs on 1 hit, thanks to 10 walks in 4 innings. A month later, a 9th-inning single cost him a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics. Johnson suffered another 10-walk, 4-inning start in 1992.

But his untapped talent was volcanic: in 1990, Johnson became the first left-hander to strike out Wade Boggs three times in one game, and a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers attested to his potential. Johnson credits a session with Nolan Ryan late in the 1992 season with helping him take his career to the next level; Ryan has said that he appreciated Johnson's talent and did not want to see him take as long to figure certain things out as he had taken. Ryan recommended a slight change in his delivery; before the meeting, Johnson would land on the heel of his foot after delivering a pitch, and as such, he usually landed offline from home plate. Ryan suggested that he land on the ball of his foot, and almost immediately, he began finding the strike zone more consistently.^[2] In a September 27, 1992 game against the Texas Rangers, with Ryan the opposing starting pitcher, Johnson struck out 18 batters in eight innings while throwing 160 pitches, a pitch count that has not been reached in an MLB game since.^[3]

Johnson broke out in 1993 with a 19–8 record, 3.24 ERA and his first of six 300-plus strikeout seasons (308). In May 1993, Johnson again lost a no-hitter to a 9th-inning single; again, the opponent was the Oakland Athletics. He also recorded his 1,000th career strikeout against the Minnesota Twins' Chuck Knoblauch. Prior to the trade deadline, Johnson was nearly dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays for Steve Karsay and Mike Timlin. Toronto general manager Pat Gillick had two separate transactions on the table including the one for Johnson with Seattle general manager Woody Woodward and one for Rickey Henderson with Oakland general manager Sandy Alderson. When Gillick was unable to contact Woodward he agreed to utilize the deal with Alderson. When Woodward returned Gillick's call he said he would agree to the deal for Johnson. However, Gillick gave his word to Alderson even though the deal had not been finalized.^[4] At the 1993 All-Star Game in Baltimore, Maryland, in a famous incident, Johnson threw a fastball over the head of Philadelphia Phillies first baseman John Kruk.^[5] A similar incident would occur with Larry Walker in the 1997 All-Star Game.^[6]

After pitching well in the strike-shortened 1994 season, Johnson won the American League Cy Young Award in 1995 with an 18–2 record, 2.48 ERA and 294 strikeouts. His .900 winning percentage was the second highest in AL history, behind Johnny Allen, who had gone 15–1 for the Cleveland Indians in 1937. Johnson, who also finished second in the 1993 and 1997 Cy Young voting, and third in 1994, was the first Seattle Mariners pitcher to win the award, and the only one until Félix Hernández took home the honor in 2010.

Johnson capped the Mariners' late season comeback by pitching a 3-hitter in the AL West's one-game playoff, crushing the California Angels' hopes with 12 strikeouts. Thus unable to start in the 5-game ALDS series against the Yankees until the third game, Johnson watched as New York took a 2–0 series lead. Johnson beat the Yankees in Game 3 with 10 strikeouts in 7 innings.

When the series went the full five games, the Mariners having come back from an 0–2 deficit to win both games at the Kingdome, Johnson made a dramatic relief appearance in the series final, Game 5, on only one day's rest. Johnson's slow walk to the pitcher's mound from the left field bullpen electrified the sold-out home crowd. Entering a 4–4 game in the ninth inning, Johnson pitched the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings. He allowed 1 run, struck out 6, and held on for the series-ending win in Seattle's dramatic comeback.

Johnson posted an 0–6 playoff record in his next four playoff series, each of which his teams lost.

Johnson was sidelined throughout much of the 1996 season with a back injury, but he rebounded in 1997 with a 20–4 record, 291 strikeouts, and a 2.28 ERA (his personal best). Between May 1994 and October 1997, Johnson had gone 53–9, including a 16–0 streak that fell one short of the AL record. Johnson had two 19-strikeout starts in 1997, on June 24 and August 8.

As the 1998 season began, Johnson became upset that the Mariners would not offer him a contract extension; his contract expired after the season.^[7] Though the Mariners initially wanted to keep Johnson, turning down a trade offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers,^[8] they fell out of contention, going 8-20 in June.^[9] Minutes before the non-waiver trade deadline, on July 31, the Mariners traded Johnson to the Houston Astros for three minor leaguers, Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen, and John Halama.^[9]

Houston Astros (1998)[link]

Upon arriving in Houston, Johnson caught fire. In 11 regular-season starts with the Astros, he had a 10–1 record, a 1.28 ERA, and 116 strikeouts in 84⅓ innings, and pitched 4 shutouts. Johnson finished 7th in the National League Cy Young voting despite pitching only 2 months in the league, and helped Houston win their second straight National League Central division title. During the playoffs, however, the Astros lost the NLDS to the San Diego Padres, 3–1. Johnson started Games 1 and 4, both losses. He only gave up three earned runs combined in the two games, but received only one run in support (in Game 4).

Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2004)[link]

Johnson agreed to a four-year contract, with an option for a fifth year, for $52.4 million, with the Arizona Diamondbacks; a second-year franchise.^[10] Johnson led the team to the playoffs that year on the strength of a 17–9 record and 2.48 ERA with 364 strikeouts, leading the majors in innings, complete games and strikeouts. Johnson won the 1999 NL Cy Young Award and Warren Spahn Award as the best left-handed pitcher in MLB.^[11] Johnson joined Gaylord Perry and Pedro Martinez as the only pitchers to have won the award in both the American and National Leagues. (Roger Clemens and Roy Halladay have since done the same).

Johnson finished 2000 with 19 wins, 347 strikeouts and a 2.64 ERA, and won his second consecutive NL Cy Young Award and Warren Spahn Award.^{[citation needed]} The Diamondbacks acquired Curt Schilling from the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2000, and the two aces anchored the Diamondbacks rotation.^[12]

In the fourth year of the franchise's existence, Johnson and Schilling carried the Arizona Diamondbacks to their first World Series appearance and victory in 2001 against the New York Yankees. Johnson and Schilling shared the World Series Most Valuable Player Award, the Babe Ruth Award,^[13] and were named Sports Illustrated magazine's 2001 "Sportsmen of the Year." For the first of two consecutive seasons, Johnson and Schilling finished 1–2 in the Cy Young balloting.^[14] Johnson also won his third consecutive Warren Spahn Award.^[15] Johnson's performance was particularly dominating, striking out 11 in a 3-hit shutout in game 2, pitching seven innings for the victory in Game 6 and then coming on in relief the following day to pick up the win in Game 7. Of Arizona's eleven post-season wins in 2001, Johnson had five.

Johnson's Game 7 relief appearance was his second of the 2001 season; on July 19, a game against the Padres was delayed by two electrical explosions in Qualcomm Stadium. When the game resumed the following day, Johnson stepped in as the new pitcher and racked up 16 strikeouts in 7 innings, technically setting the record for the most strikeouts in a relief stint.

Johnson struck out 20 batters in a game on May 8, 2001 against the Cincinnati Reds, Johnson recorded all 20 strikeouts in the first nine innings, but because the game went into extra innings, it was not categorized by MLB as an "official" 20-strikeout game.

In a freak accident on March 24, 2001, during the 7th inning of a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants, Johnson threw a fastball that struck and killed a dove. The bird swooped across the infield just as Johnson was releasing the ball. After being struck by the pitch, the bird landed dead amid a "sea of feathers." The official call was "no pitch."^[16]

On August 23, 2001, Johnson struck out three batters on nine pitches in the 6th inning of a 5–1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, becoming the 30th pitcher in major league history to pitch an immaculate inning.

In 2002, Johnson won the pitching Triple Crown, leading the NL in wins, ERA and strikeouts, and was voted his fourth consecutive Cy Young and Warren Spahn Awards.^[17] It was Johnson's fourth consecutive 300-strikeout season, a record.^{[citation needed]} He also became the first pitcher in baseball history to post a 24–5 record.^[18]

Johnson spent the majority of the 2003 season on the disabled list and was ineffective in the few injury-hampered starts he did make. One thing he did accomplish that year was hit his first career home run in a September 19, 2003 game against the Milwaukee Brewers. It was the only home run to date for Johnson, a career .125 hitter.

On May 18, 2004, Johnson pitched the 17th perfect game in baseball history. At 40 years of age, he was the oldest pitcher to accomplish this feat. Johnson had 13 strikeouts on his way to a 2–0 defeat of the Atlanta Braves. The perfect game made him the fifth pitcher in Major League history (after Cy Young, Jim Bunning, Nolan Ryan, and Hideo Nomo) to pitch a no-hitter in both leagues. Johnson struck out Jeff Cirillo of the San Diego Padres on June 29, 2004 to become only the fourth MLB player to reach 4,000 strikeouts in a career.^{[citation needed]}

He finished the 2004 season with a 16–14 record, though the Diamondbacks scored two or fewer runs in 17 of his 35 starts that season.^{[citation needed]} Johnson led the major leagues in strikeouts (with 290). In the games where Arizona scored three or more runs, Johnson was 13–2. As his team only won 51 games that year, his ratio of winning 31.3% of his team's games was the highest for any starting pitcher since Steve Carlton in 1972 (who won 27 of the Phillies' 59 wins for an all-time record ratio of 45.8%).

New York Yankees (2005–2006)[link]

Johnson with the Yankees

The Diamondbacks traded Johnson to the New York Yankees for Javier Vázquez, Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro, and cash in January 2005. Johnson pitched Opening Day for the Yankees on April 3, 2005 against the Boston Red Sox. Johnson was inconsistent through 2005, allowing 32 home runs; however, he regained his dominance in late 2005. He was 5–0 against the Yankees' division rival Red Sox and finished the season 17–8 with a 3.79 ERA, and was second in the AL with 211 strikeouts.

In 2005, The Sporting News published an update of their 1999 book Baseball's 100 Greatest Players. Johnson did not make the original edition, but for the 2005 update, with his career totals considerably higher and his 2001 World Championship season taken into account, he was ranked at Number 60.^{[citation needed]}

Johnson was a disappointment in Game 3 of the 2005 Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, allowing 5 runs on 2 home runs in 3 innings. In Game 5 in Anaheim, Johnson made an effective relief appearance after Mike Mussina gave up 5 runs and 6 hits to give the Angels a 5–2 lead, but the Yankees were unable to come back in the series.

After an inconclusive year in pinstripes, New York fans hoped that Johnson would return to his dominant style in his second Yankee season. Johnson began 2006 well, but then he struggled to find form. In between some impressive performances, he allowed 5 or more runs in 7 of his first 18 starts for the season. Johnson was more effective in the second half. Johnson finished the season with a 17–11 record, a subpar 5.00 ERA with 172 strikeouts. It had been revealed at the end of the 2006 season that a herniated disc in Johnson's back had been stiffening him and it was only in his second to last start of the season that he decided to get it checked. This exposure had caused him to miss his last start of 2006. After being given epidural anesthesia and a few bullpen sessions he was cleared to start in game 3 of the ALDS, however he gave up 5 runs in 5²⁄₃ innings.

Second stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2008)[link]

Johnson pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In January 2007, the Yankees traded Johnson back to the Diamondbacks, almost two years to the day that Arizona had traded him to New York, for a package of Luis Vizcaíno, Alberto González, Steven Jackson, and Ross Ohlendorf.^{[citation needed]} The Yankees' decision to trade Johnson was primarily based on his pre-season request to be traded after the death of his brother. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman was very sympathetic to Johnson's grief and agreed to trade him back to the Diamondbacks so that Johnson could be closer to his family in Phoenix.^{[citation needed]}

Johnson missed most of April rehabbing his injured back, before returning on April 24, 2007. Johnson allowed six runs in 5 innings and took the loss, but struck out seven. He returned to form, and by his tenth start of the season was among the NL's top ten strikeout pitchers. But on July 3, his surgically repaired disc from the previous season was reinjured. Johnson had season-ending surgery on the same disc, this time removing it completely. Reporting that the procedure went "a little better than expected," Arizona hoped that Johnson would be ready for the 2008 season.^{[citation needed]}

Johnson made his season debut on April 14, 2008 against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park eight months following his back surgery. On June 3, 2008, Johnson struck out Mike Cameron of the Milwaukee Brewers for career strikeout number 4,673. With this strikeout Johnson surpassed Roger Clemens for the number two spot on the all-time strikeout leaders list.^{[citation needed]} Johnson struck out 8 in the game but could not get the win as the Diamondbacks lost 7–1.

Johnson got his 4,700th career strikeout on July 6, 2008.^{[citation needed]} He finished the season with a 11–10 record and an ERA of 3.91, recording his 100th career complete game in a 2–1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.^[19]

San Francisco Giants (2009)[link]

On December 26, 2008, Johnson signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants for a reported $8 million, with a possible $2.5 million in performance bonuses and another $2.5 million in award bonuses.^[20][21] Johnson became the twenty-fourth pitcher to reach 300 wins, beating the Washington Nationals on June 4 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.^[22] He became the seventh left-handed pitcher to achieve the 300 win milestone and the fifth pitcher in the last 50 years to get his 299th and 300th win in consecutive starts, joining Warren Spahn, Steve Carlton, Gaylord Perry, and Tom Seaver. Johnson was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder on July 28, 2009.^[23] Johnson was activated by the Giants on September 16, 2009, and assigned to the Giants bullpen.^[24] On September 18, 2009, Johnson made his first relief appearance in 4 years, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers for 3 batters. At age 46, he was at the time the second oldest player in Major League Baseball, trailing only Jamie Moyer.^{[citation needed]}

On January 5, 2010, he announced his retirement from professional baseball.^[25] The Mariners invited Johnson to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners home opener at Safeco Field on April 12, 2010^[26] and inducted Johnson into the Mariners Hall of Fame on January 17, 2012.^[27] The Diamondbacks also invited Johnson and former teammate Curt Schilling to both throw out the ceremonial first pitches for the Arizona Diamondbacks' 10th Anniversary of the 2001 World Series team that defeated the New York Yankees after September 11, 2011.

Pitching style[link]

In the prime of his career, Johnson's fastball was consistently clocked over 100 mph (160 km/h), even as high as 102 mph (164 km/h).^[28] His signature pitch is a slider that breaks down and away from left-handed hitters and down and in to right-handed hitters. The effectiveness of the pitch is marked by its velocity being in the low 90s along with tight late break; hitters often believe they were thrown a fastball until the ball breaks just before it crosses home plate. Right-handed hitters have swung through and missed sliders that nearly hit their back feet.^[29] Johnson dubbed his slider "Mr. Snappy".^[30] In later years, his fastball declined to the 96 mph (154 km/h) range and his slider clocked at around 87 mph (140 km/h). Johnson also threw a split-finger fastball that behaved like a change-up and a sinker to induce ground-ball outs.^[31]

"Big Unit" nickname[link]

During batting practice in 1988, the 6'10" Johnson, then with the Montreal Expos, collided head-first with outfielder Tim Raines, prompting his teammate to exclaim, "You're a big unit!"^[32] The nickname stuck.

Throughout much of his career, Johnson held the title of tallest player in MLB history. Former pitcher Eric Hillman and current pitchers Andrew Sisco and Chris Young have also been measured at 6'10". The title of tallest player is now held by Johnson's former Diamondback teammate Jon Rauch, a relief pitcher who is 6'11".

Accomplishments[link]

Johnson throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners home opener at Safeco Field in 2010

• Pitched a no-hitter for Seattle on June 2, 1990, against Detroit
• 10-time All-Star (1990, 1993–95, 1997, 1999, 2000–02, 2004)
• Led the league in strikeouts nine times (1992–95, 1999–2002, 2004)
• Led the league in ERA four times (1995, 1999, 2001, 2002)
• 5 time Cy Young Award winner (1995, 1999–2002)
• Holds the record for most strikeouts in a relief appearance (16 against San Diego on July 18, 2001)
• World Series co-MVP (Curt Schilling, 2001)
• Pitched a perfect game against Atlanta (May 18, 2004)- oldest pitcher to do so in major-league history
• Collected his 300th win in a 5–1 victory against the Washington Nationals on June 4, 2009
• Sports Illustrated MLB All-Decade Team (2009)
• Has defeated every major-league team at least once
• Struck out 20 batters on May 8, 2001 against Cincinnati Reds
• Struck out 4,875 batters; 2nd most all-time (Nolan Ryan, 5,714)
• Named to the Mariners Hall of Fame

Acting career[link]

Johnson guest starred in The Simpsons episode "Bart Has Two Mommies", which aired on March 19, 2006. Johnson appeared in the movie Little Big League, playing himself.

Johnson appeared in a Right Guard commercial where he fired dodgeballs at Kyle Brandt, who represented odor. Johnson also appeared in several commercials for Nike in 1998. The spots comedically portrayed him taking batting practice (swinging ineptly at balls from a pitching machine) in his hope that he would break Roger Maris' then-single-season record for home runs. He made a cameo appearance in a commercial for MLB 2K9 with teammate Tim Lincecum. Johnson made an appearance in a GEICO insurance commercial.^[33]

Johnson has been featured as a playable character in various Backyard Baseball games.

Personal life[link]

Johnson has four children with his wife Lisa: Sammi (born 1994), Tanner (born 1996), Willow (born 1998), and Alexandria (born 1999). He also has a daughter from a previous relationship, Heather Renee Roszell (born 1989).^[34] He is a resident of Paradise Valley, Arizona.^{[citation needed]}

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Randy Johnson

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Randy Johnson at the Internet Movie Database
• Randy Johnson Video on ESPN Video Archive
• Box score of Johnson's perfect game
• Randy Johnson Video on FoxSports Video Archive
• CBS Player Page
• Randy Johnson: Countdown to 300 Wins