Randy Johnson Slider Breakdown

Randy Johnson Slider – 

In this post, I am going to break down the Slider of the Big Unit, Randy Johnson. Shout out to all those who requested the break down of the Big Unit. Again, our condolences to the bird…  

If you have a favorite pitcher who you would like to see a breakdown of how he uses his Slider, leave a comment below and I will create a video of that pitcher… All I ask, he is that you request a pitcher who DOMINATES with the Slider!

This breakdown will be from Randy Johnson’s Perfect Game against the Atlanta Braves in 2004. ENJOY!

 

Randy Johnson Slider Breakdown
Transcript

May 18, 2004.  D Backs vs Braves

BOXSCORE

The Big Unit Takes the mound. In this Slider Spotlight, I am going to focus on a fellow Hall of Famer who took the Hat Trick in the face of opposing perfection. Chipper Jones struck out in all 3 at bats on this night. I wanted to target a Lefty hitter. However, there was that thing called the Randy Johnson flu. An epidemic which plagued MLB for over 2 decades… 

Mullet or Not! The only lefty in the lineup was JD Drew, and he only struck out once, on 3 fastballs. Coming into this game, Chipper Jones had success vs the Big Unit, with 6 HRs to date. However, when you are on, you are on!  

Randy Johnson Slider Breakdown
1st At Bat

 

1st Inning. The Switch hitting Chipper is batting right handed against the tall lefty. 

Score 0-0

0-0 Pitch A good sweeping Slider that starts off the plate away, then ends up Down & In, as Chipper swings right over top of it.

0-1 Pitch  Another Slider. This one starts out off the plate more. Here Chipper was sitting fastball on this one. Even HOFers can’t make the adjustment once they commit to swing.

0-2 Pitch Up & Away for a Ball. Jones Held His swing. Johnson when from 2 Sliders Down & In relatively, to a fastball up and away.  He established down with the Slider and now he is changing eye levels.

1-2 Pitch Slider Down in the dirt, Chipper lays off of it.

2-2 Pitch Coming Back with it.  GOT HIM! Catcher wanted the Slider Down and In, RJ Backdoored it. When you see the hitter’s back foot kick out, it means they guessed wrong.

 

Randy Johnson Slider Breakdown
2nd At Bat

4th Inning

Arizona Leads 1-0

0-0 Pitch  A get me over Slider which missed away.

1-0 Pitch  A Good Slider. Jones swings over top of it. Now Johnson has shown the Slider to both sides of the plate in the 1st 2 pitches of this at bat.

1-1 Pitch  Away for a called Strike.

1-2 Pitch Fastball inside corner at the belt, called Strike 3! Generous call. Chipper is not happy. However, let’s look at it more in depthly:  

The Big Unit has thrown to all 4 quadrants of the Strike zone in this at bat. Even a HOF Hitter can’t protect against that. Chipper was not swinging at this pitch, regardless. Even if the pitch was called a ball, he changed eye levels to go back down with the Slider… Either off the back foot or back door. Take your pick. 

 

Randy Johnson Slider Breakdown
3rd At Bat

 

7th Inning

Arizona Leads 2-0

0-0 Pitch Slider Missed Up & Away for a Ball. Johnson fell underneath the ball on release. He is not pleased with it. 

1-0 Pitch Slider over the middle of the plate, fouled back. The Big Unit got away with one here. You may get the feeling that Chipper will get his…

1-1 Pitch  Pumped up with a fast and threw it right by him. The catcher wanted it in and it was out over the plate. The change of speeds after 2 straight Sliders was able to slow down the bat just enough. Chipper guessed right and was swinging for it, he just missed it.

1-2 Pitch Fastball, trying to climb the ladder. Jones lays off. NOW, What is he set up for?  

2-2 Pitch  You guessed it!!!  

Randy Johnson made the adjustment from the first 2 Sliders of the at bat threw this one perfectly.  he Stayed Behind the Baseball, Released it Out in Front, Threw it Down HILL. The rest takes care of itself.

Whether Chipper was looking Slider or not, he stayed on the pitch very well. You just can’t protect against that late and that sharp of a movement, on 2 planes. Especially, when you have to respect his fastball, and all the freakish amenities the Big Unit has in his delivery.

RELATED: Clayton Kershaw Slider Breakdown

 

 

Randy Johnson Slider Breakdown
Final Tallies

There it is. The Breakdown how a Hall of Fame Pitcher DOMINATES a Hall Of Fame Hitter. He threw mostly Fastball/Slider the entire night on his way to perfection. Naturally, No Baserunners, 13 Strikeouts. 117 Pitches, 87 Strikes. Only 1 left handed hitter in the entire lineup. No need for match ups when you this nasty. Part of being nasty on the mound, is making pitches. When you thow to all 4 quadrants of the strike zone and make the necessary adjustments, History can be made.  

 

KEEP DOMINATING!!!