Randall David Johnson, nicknamed "The Big Unit", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1988 to 2009, for six teams, primarily the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. His 303 career victories are the fifth-most by a left-hander in MLB history, while his 4,875 strikeouts place him second all time behind Nolan Ryan and first among left-handers. He holds five of the seven highest single-season strikeout totals by a left-hander in modern history. Johnson was a ten-time All-Star, won the Cy Young Award five times, and is one of only two pitchers to win the award in four consecutive seasons (1999–2002). In 1999, he joined Pedro Martínez and Gaylord Perry in the rare feat of winning the award in both the American and National Leagues. He is also one of five pitchers to pitch no-hitters in both leagues. On May 18, 2004, at the age of 40, Johnson became the oldest pitcher in major league history to throw a perfect game; he is one of seven pitchers to have thrown a perfect game and at least one other no-hitter in their careers. He is also one of 18 pitchers in history to record a win against all 30 MLB franchises. On May 8, 2001, Johnson achieved the feat of striking out 20 batters in a game, against the Cincinnati Reds.
Led by new manager Bill Rigney, the 1970 Minnesota Twins won the American League West with a 98–64 record, nine games ahead of the Oakland Athletics. The Twins were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series. After the ALCS, Metropolitan Stadium would never see another post-season game, and the Twins would not return to the postseason stage until 1987 when they won the World Series.
After winning 91 games the previous two seasons, the 1964 Minnesota Twins slumped to 79–83, a disappointing tie for sixth with the Cleveland Indians in the American League, 20 games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.
The 1966 Minnesota Twins finished 89–73, second in the American League. 1,259,374 fans attended Twins games, the second highest total in the American League.
The 1968 Minnesota Twins season was a season in American baseball. The team finished 79–83, seventh in the American League.
The 1973 Minnesota Twins finished 81–81, third in the American League West.
Clayton Edward Kershaw is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed starting pitcher, Kershaw has played 13 seasons in the major leagues since he debuted in 2008. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time National League (NL) Cy Young Award winner, and the 2014 NL Most Valuable Player. His 2.44 career earned run average (ERA) and 1.01 walks plus hits per inning pitched rate (WHIP) are the lowest among starters in the live-ball era. Kershaw has a career hits allowed per nine innings pitched average of 6.78, the second-lowest in MLB history. He has been described throughout the majority of his career as the best pitcher in baseball.
The Cincinnati Reds' 2005 season consisted of the Reds finishing in fifth place in the National League Central Division. The Reds were managed by Dave Miley for most of the season, and after being fired, was followed by Jerry Narron.
Maxwell M. Scherzer, nicknamed “Mad Max”, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008, and later played for the Detroit Tigers, prior to joining the Nationals. He has been an important figure in the both the Tigers' and Nationals' playoff presence, including Detroit's four consecutive American League Central titles from 2011 to 2014 and two of Washington's National League East titles, culminating in winning the 2019 World Series as a Wild Card team. A power pitcher with a low three-quarter-arm delivery, Scherzer has achieved numerous strikeout records and distinctions. He is the tenth pitcher in history to garner at least three Cy Young Awards, the sixth to record two no-hitters in one season, the fifth to produce more than one immaculate inning, and the second to strike out at least 200 batters in a season eight years in a row. He is regarded to be one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
The 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 90th season for the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; their 85th in the National League. It involved the Pirates finishing first in the National League East with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. They defeated the San Francisco Giants three games to one in the National League Championship Series and beat the Baltimore Orioles four games to three in the World Series. The Pirates were managed by Danny Murtaugh, and played their first full season at Three Rivers Stadium, which had opened in July the year before.
The 1940 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 40th season in the major leagues, and its 41st season overall. They finished with a record 82–72, good enough tied for 4th place with the Boston Red Sox in the American League, 8 games behind the first place Detroit Tigers.
The Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs is an independent professional baseball league headquartered in Houston, which operates in cities in desert mountain regions throughout California, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Colorado, Kansas and West Texas. The league plays in cities that do not have Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either.
Aaron Jacob Sanchez is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut on July 23, 2014. In 2015, Sanchez was ranked by MLB as the number 3 prospect in the Blue Jays' organization, and the 44th best prospect in baseball.
Robert Alexander Wood is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. Before playing professional baseball, Wood played for his high school team at Ardrey Kell High School and college baseball for the Georgia Bulldogs. He made his MLB debut during the 2013 season for the Atlanta Braves.
Aaron James Judge is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Judge was unanimously selected as the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year in 2017 and finished second in voting for the AL Most Valuable Player Award.
Aaron Michael Nola is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Edward Bennett Lively is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Samsung Lions of the KBO League. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals.
Cody James Bellinger is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was named an All-Star and the National League's Rookie of the Year in 2017, and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2019. Bellinger is the son of Clay Bellinger, who also played in MLB.
The Tucson Saguaros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona that began play in 2016. The club is a member of the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball.
Yermín Francisco Mercedes is a Dominican professional baseball catcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).
