[Lefty Noob]

Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson won his first game back since returning to the Diamondbacks yesterday, giving up one hit over six innings in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. "I feel like I'm starting to hit my stride," Johnson told reporters afterwards. "Things are starting to come around." So can he ever be as good as he once was?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson won his first game back since returning to the Diamondbacks yesterday, giving up one hit over six innings in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. "I feel like I'm starting to hit my stride," Johnson told reporters afterwards. "Things are starting to come around." So can he ever be as good as he once was?

This is just like the Clemens story to me. On average a pitcher at age 43 is really pretty much done and that is how I feel. He'll have to come out and prove me wrong before I can change my opinion. For his sake I hope I'm wrong, but the body has got to give in at some point and the law of averages is against him.

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson won his first game back since returning to the Diamondbacks yesterday, giving up one hit over six innings in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. "I feel like I'm starting to hit my stride," Johnson told reporters afterwards. "Things are starting to come around." So can he ever be as good as he once was?

No, I don't think so.

His arm has deteriorated over the years, and this is figuratively speaking.

He can no longer throw those streaming fastballs in the high 90s, but now a solemn sinker down the corner around 88. I can't see him sticking around four years from now, unless he gets paid an outrageous amount of money like Roger Clemens.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

This is just like the Clemens story to me. On average a pitcher at age 43 is really pretty much done and that is how I feel. He'll have to come out and prove me wrong before I can change my opinion. For his sake I hope I'm wrong, but the body has got to give in at some point and the law of averages is against him.

im gonna disagree lsc, clemens can still throw, he has kept himself in great shape, randy has just had too many injuries, randy is done..

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson won his first game back since returning to the Diamondbacks yesterday, giving up one hit over six innings in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. "I feel like I'm starting to hit my stride," Johnson told reporters afterwards. "Things are starting to come around." So can he ever be as good as he once was?

Once was?...you are talking about a staff ace with +250 innings and 300 K's in his heydays...not to mention a Cy Young or two...So no he can't...

I think it's also tougher for a tall frame like his to avoid injury...but he can still pitch...I think with Randy (whose mental make up is along that of Big Mac's) it's gonna be a pride thing...will he accept pitching at a lessor level?...if he does, he can toss a few years, if he doesn't he is gone.

[Lefty Noob]

Another great outing by Johnson, and he's sure starting to show flashes of his former brilliance.

According to the AP, "Johnson, rounding into shape at age 43 following offseason back surgery, struck out 10 in 5 2-3 innings to win his second start in a row and pitch the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday... Johnson (2-2), often resembling the dominating pitcher he was while winning five Cy Young Awards, was lifted after throwing 102 pitches -- regularly hitting 96 mph with his fastball. He gave up two runs and seven hits... The Big Unit has struck out 19 in 11 2-3 innings over his last two starts, fanning the Pirates' No. 3-6 hitters a combined seven times."

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

im gonna disagree lsc, clemens can still throw, he has kept himself in great shape, randy has just had too many injuries, randy is done..

I'm fine if they can do th ejob and it seems that the unit is doing just that but ..... all to many times these old guys attempt that final comeback to hopefully go out in a blaze of glory only to go down in a blaze of flames. They go down with a ton of money that was not at all deserved. If the contracts were written on a pay for performance basis versus paid on past performance then it might be easier to swallow a possible has been.

I am good with the old guys making the come back and proving me wrong though. Of course when one of those senior citizens comes back to the Red Sox they are generally a failure, so maybe that is why I have the bleak opinion.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Another great outing by Johnson, and he's sure starting to show flashes of his former brilliance.

According to the AP, "Johnson, rounding into shape at age 43 following offseason back surgery, struck out 10 in 5 2-3 innings to win his second start in a row and pitch the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday... Johnson (2-2), often resembling the dominating pitcher he was while winning five Cy Young Awards, was lifted after throwing 102 pitches -- regularly hitting 96 mph with his fastball. He gave up two runs and seven hits... The Big Unit has struck out 19 in 11 2-3 innings over his last two starts, fanning the Pirates' No. 3-6 hitters a combined seven times."

The key is to manage the Big Unit so he does not break down...at 43, the body does not recover as quick after each outing...and 96 mph puts a heck a strain on the pitching arm.

[ThePundit]

He's missing his next start on Friday, 5/24, because of forearm tendinitis. This is the thing with Johnson at this age. He can pitch great but he has a million ailments that sideline him pretty consistently.