Randy Johnson is a Hall of Fame pitcher, who is best remembered for his lanky 6’10 frame and is intensity on the mound which earned him the nickname “The Big Unit”. Randy Johnson was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB Draft but decided to attend the University of Southern California. Three years later, he was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB Draft. Below is a look at some of Randy Johnson’s career highlights:
- 303 wins
- 4,875 strikeouts
- 4x ERA Title
- 5x CY Young (winning both in the American and National League)
- 10x All-Star
- 1x World Series Champion (named MVP)
One of my favorite memories of Randy Johnson was during the 1993 MLB All-Star Game during which he showed off why his 100+ mph fastball should be feared by any batter (see video below).
While most baseball card collectors prefer Randy Johnson’s 1989 Upper Deck rookie card, I chose to get his 1989 Score rookie card autographed because it was one of my favorite sets as a child. If given the option, I prefer sports cards that feature action photos versus portrait shots that look like high school yearbook photos. The card turned out fantastic!
Currently there are only 10 autographed Randy Johnson 1989 Score cards in the PSA database.
Total Investment: $155
Estimated Value: $225 (the only comp sold for $175 without a HOF inscription)
Return on Investment: 45%