Flashback: Big Unit celebrates birthday with 3,000th strikeout
Only one pitcher in major-league history is more synonymous with strikeouts than Randy Johnson. That man is Nolan Ryan, with whom Johnson forever is linked following his Hall of Fame induction this past July.
Ryan is the all-time leader with 5,714 career strikeouts, while Johnson is second with 4,875.
And on Sept. 10, 2000, the Big Unit collected his 3,000th career strikeout when he fanned Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell for the second time in the game in the fourth inning. In doing so, Johnson became the 12th member of the 3,000-strikeout club and only the second left-hander (joining Steve Carlton).
This game also resulted in another milestone for Johnson. He collected his 300th strikeout for the third consecutive season (the streak would reach five seasons), thanks to a season-high 14 K's on the day. Oh yeah, it also was his 37th birthday.
