5/18/04: Randy Johnson's Perfect Game

[@josepho7083]

Still to this day, I would of been fired from work if I showed up late, I wasnt missing this game. Most amazing thing I had ever seen on a ball field. I had to be clocked in by 2 mins because Randy did the unthinkable!

[@Sohltaker]

Baseball fans, more than any other North American sports fans, have a sense of history. They understand that these things are so rare you have to cheer the player during something like this. Kudos to the Braves fans.

[@huarachudo47]

Great fans in Atlanta. They know about ball.

[@NightRanger77]

Lol calling it ball makes you sound like an old man

[@tysonrinker5958]

True though. Part of the reason I love ball is because of the history and traditions

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

If I were a Braves player I'd get it, but it'd still sting

[@SasfootBigsquatch]

This is why baseball is the greatest game and has the best fans.

[@brindlebucker4741]

I hate being the 'old guy', but one of the best things about this game is watching Randy Johnson HIT. He didn't do anything with the bat, but it was the National League and that's the way the game was played. If you were on the field, you had to hit. Except for Shohei, we'll never see that again.

[@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536]

That made it exciting when a pitcher got a hit, especially a homer.

[@SD-th9sp]

I’m not an old guy, and you are 90000% right in my opinion. I love watching pitchers hit. Cause every once in a while, they do something special.

[@gezzarandom]

Randy Johnson did most things possible in baseball, won both AL and NL Cy young awards, won the world series and the perfect game. A career to be proud of.

[@Brian-js6me]

+ephabouyed and tied the major league record with 20 strikeouts in a game.

[@gezzarandom]

True, sorry should've mentioned that too.

[@inlinechris]

Best starting pitcher of all time

[@josecarranza7555]

Chris26 Sandy Koufax is the GOAT. I think Randy Johnson is second on all time greatest pitcher.

[@jseedy]

Also obliterated a pigeon with a pitch lmao. GOAT

[@Josh-Jones]

I was at this game -- fans started rooting for Randy around the end of the 7th, and why not? Great pitcher and dominant. Wanted to see my Braves win, but you have to cheer for a master making history when you see it happening.

[@stevendebraccio4657]

I hope you have a lot of Braves fan friends, and when they ask you about that night, you tell them my Braves didn't win, but I saw Randy Johnson pitch a perfect game. And I'll never forget it.

[@MrBmick79]

I was at this game too. My friend's grandma bought us tickets for cleaning out her storage unit. We sat about 25 rows up from home plate. I started talking about it around the 5th inning, which is kinda silly. My friend (who was a pitcher on my high school team) laughed and said its way too early to think about it. Don't remember much about the game except the Braves fans cheering and how quiet the walk to the parking lot was. Everybody had the same stunned look in their eyes. Finished the night at a bar in Bankhead watching highlights on the TV

[@bmacpwns]

RJ was a super focused athlete, so he always came off as angry or serious or whatever. But even he couldn't help but laugh & smile when Robby Hammock ran to the mound like a little boy running to the Christmas tree on Xmas morning. What a great moment.

[@johnrouille5428]

This is when baseball was still awesome

[@musicman76enator]

2004 = Greatest Year Ever and the Greatest Year Of My Life. Seeing Randy's perfect game on TV was so much fun. I was so happy for him and Arizona. 10 years old and times were good. I miss these days.

[@aykfc]

God...every single time I watch this, I have so much respect for the braves fans.

[@matthewmorgan4765]

What's also cool is that Randy Johnson, in his Hall of Fame induction speech, expressed special appreciation for Robbie Hammock, his catcher in this game.

[@Pensfan5919]

That's the thing for a no hitter or perfect game. You don't just need to have the right stuff on the right night, but you also need to have the right game caller. One passed ball, one missed block, one at-bat gone wrong, and the achievement is gone.

[@mattpetrosky369]

Very classy fans in Atlanta shown here and Randy is just so cool as always. His catcher is going crazy and Johnson just stands there and laughs. This gives me chills and should any real baseball fan. RJ will go down as one of the best ever his slider was unmatched and a lefty that throws in the 100mph range even 95-97 at 40 is a once in a lifetime site especially at near 7 foot tall. Just scary

[@aykfc]

His catchers reaction and Johnson's smile to it is one of the best moments next to Johnson giving him the credit after the game

[@ThrashMetallix]

It is always a gift to see Randy Johnson crack a smile.

[@KevinCantWait08]

What a classy crowd in Atlanta, cheering Randy on like that. I remember that didn't end up being a good year for the d'backs, but this was certainly a big moment.

[@714milky]

I remember watching this on TV. Awesome. Look at the crowd. A few people with cameras but mostly a crowd of fans enjoying a historic baseball moment watching it with their eyeballs not through a cellphone screen. Ahhh the good ol days. Lol

[@bennyvega100]

I still can't get over the fact that Johnson and Schilling were in the same rotation. What an amazing pair that was.

[@JasonFlemingMusic]

As soon as they said Greg Gibson the home plate umpire I thought of "Greg Gibson the home plate umpire motioning to both players "

[@Altasren]

Great sportsmanship and class by the Atlanta crowd there.

[@Joe45-91]

Nothing in sports builds excitement like the perfect game/no-hitter. Football and basketball have no comparison for moments like this.

[@SomeGuyWhoPlaysGames333]

Is it possible for anyone to like multiple sports? Sure doesn't seem like it. I love baseball. But it's not the only enjoyable sport.

[@Madslickful]

buzzer beaters and punt returns are pretty exciting to watch in my opinion

[@JAlberto37]

gameaddict51 I love both football and baseball, football the most. But I would have to agree with him there, watching a no-hitter or perfect game in the making is one of the most exciting things you can see. But being I'm a die-hard Real Madrid fan, when they play big games, it's hard to compare it to a perfect game, but my heart beats FAST then, too.

[@BearDownAZ]

gameaddict51 I enjoy football, basketball, and baseball.

[@sketch5507]

I agree the only thing close is post seasons. Even then though in my opinion they fall short.

[@flamingobandit8065]

one of the best pitchers to ever step on the mound, easily top 5 all time

[@troyfore5355]

Ryan Clemons Johnson Maddux Closer Rivera Honorable mention to Bob Gibson and Pedro

[@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536]

​@@troyfore5355Nolan Ryan is my favorite of all time but even I have to swtich him and Pedro on your list.

[@e2go]

I think that was the first time I ever saw Randy Johnson legitimately laugh when his catcher came jumping out to the mound so excited afterwards. What a great moment. "The Big Unit" was an absolute beast on the hill, and this was a brilliant performance. Always loved how intense he was. Good for him, and good for his teammates.

[@gdehond]

That's a classy Braves crowd by the end of the game, even cheering his name. I always like seeing baseball purists.

[@GrahamCStrouse]

I loved watching Unit pitch. When he was young nobody knew where the ball was going, just that it was heading somewhere REALLY fast. Then he got older and the ball was still travelling at 100 mph but he had decent control. And then he got a little older and was still holding his velocity but he knew EXACTLY where the ball was going.

[@LOLMAN9538]

Its nice to see that The Big Unit had at least one perfecto under his belt

[@gustavoocandopaez7969]

El gran “Randy” Johnson, haciendo historia.🎖️⚾

[@IlGreven]

1:35:55 I believe skip means Greg Gibson, the Home Plate Umpire...

[@shoukatsukai]

+IlGreven But he didn't motion to both players...

[@AfflictedSinister]

In my opinion the best pitcher of all time.

[@treymagathan847]

Brandon Fry He's the best pitcher in the modern era. The best pitcher of all time is Cy Young. He pitched a perfect game, then pitched a 1 hit shutout the very next day.

[@josecarranza7555]

Sandy Koufax is the greatest pitcher ever.

[@AfflictedSinister]

Which is why the words in my opinion were transposed before the best pitcher of all time.

[@TheStonedPhilosopher47]

@@AfflictedSinister has ur opinion changed in 6 years? (just curious no hate)

[@AfflictedSinister]

@@TheStonedPhilosopher47 not at all. I know Ryan was good my opinion is Johnson will be the best of all time. It’s opinionated so no wrong answers.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Earlier in his career, Randy Johnson struck out 20 Cincinnati Reds. That was a National League Strikeout Record. But it never counted because Johnson pitched 10 Innings in that game.THAT WAS BULLSHIT! Johnson struck out no one in the 10th Inning.

[@andyribaudo5339]

He only pitched 9 innings, but the game itself lasted 10 innings.

[@SkilesHasFun]

Pretty cool to see Randy Johnson, in his 17th pro season, pitching to Julio Franco, who was in his 87th pro season.

[@dannap8831]

thanks for uploading this 10 yrs ago! appreciate it

[@jakew209]

Congrats on making it into the Hall of Fame!

[@henrylerche6174]

Yes and it was very well deserved

[@bellakhitho1]

the best left-handed pitcher in history

[@joshwhite3339]

bellakhitho1 no way. Steve Carleton! Sandy Koufax! Lefty Grove! Warren Spahn. All those guys were better than Randy Johnson

[@Stick0413]

bellakhitho1 One of the best for sure but I don't think he is THE best lefty of all time.

[@oakenshanks]

josh white ya, youre right.... not better.... than 5 other guys ......youre a douche.

[@jayceh]

Arizona: scores more than 0 runs Randy Johnson: this game is free real estate

[@thewritingwriter7824]

Top 10 pitcher of all time. When he was on, nobody could beat him.

[@stevenjeffries2521]

as a long time braves fan. i even cheered for Randy that night. that day was also special as i just turned 29 years old that day

[@bammtor7]

10 years ago today! Great memories.

[@chrizles]

greg gibson, the home plate umpire calling the perfect game

[@pazgaia]

Thank you for posting this (and all the other great games) MLBClassics. We remember when this one was tossed. Interestingly enough we stumbled across this video one day before the nine year anniversary of this gem. Cheers!

[@ultra_toxic3131]

And this is why I’m a Braves fan

[@gezzarandom]

2-0 talk about a close game. Johnson had to be perfect this game and he was, good to see him achieve every major honour in the game. Cy Young, Perfect Game, World Series Ring.

[@Pensfan5919]

And if I'm not mistaken, strikeout king in both leagues and author of a 20 K outing.

[@adamwintz1072]

And an another no hitter (before this perfecto) I think for the Astros maybe

[@noelthombs9859]

I remember watching this on tv. Johnson was the only reason why i became an Astros fan. Loved going to the astrodome and watching him pitch. Amazing. Will always be a fan of Johnson.

[@steveklopfer4780]

Awesome 6`10" pitcher. The express only had 7 of them

[@hitdoctor24]

Clemens took roids, Johnson didn't. Johnson is probably the best power pitcher in MLB history.

[@WreckingCrewResurgen]

Great show of sportsmanship by Atlanta fans.

[@codykillam279]

Best game! 2004... Family, friends, fond memories. Good food, lots of love and Arizona kickin' butt!

[@joeharris2198]

If Hampton had pitched this game any other night, it would’ve been recognized way more as one of the best performances of the season. But man do I love the big unit

[@wbradley15]

Jesus this was 10 years ago?!?! i remember watching this game

[@testcyp767]

15 years ago now ;)

[@216betto]

@@testcyp767 17

[@SC-stonerconstruction]

@@216betto 20

[@PapaShongo25]

I remember watching this game my senior year in high school. What stuck with me the most was all game he was 94-97 on his fastball. That last pitch he threw clocked 101 on the gun. The guy was a true legend and was able to reach back for something extra better than anyone who's ever done it.

[@Notorious1000RR]

Remember watching this as kid randy and Pedro were so good un there prime.i miss this Era

[@primosuperfan1393]

One of the very best pitchers in the history of baseball. The best left handed ever.

[@DUFFY3370]

No Madison Bungarmer

[@michaelhodges1498]

DUFFY3370 When in his whole career has Madison Bumgardener thrown a perfect game? Get your facts straight.

[@janalecdavalos1377]

Nolan Ryan is

[@ryanlawton9666]

Jan Alec Davalos Except for the fact that Ryan was a righty.

[@ryanlawton9666]

DUFFY3370 Because a 25 year old with no Cy Young Awards and 2 All Star Game appearances should be compared to Randy Johnson, who had 10 All Star Appearances, 5 CYAs, and struck out more batters per 9 innings than any other pitcher in MLB history.

[@JohnXavierSieg]

not taking ANYTHING away from Randy, he's a beast. but that was some incredible defense the backs had that game! AMIRITE?

[@Sohltaker]

I agree. I doubt you'll ever find a perfect game or no-hitter that doesn't belong, at least in part, to one or two of the fielders.

[@chrizles]

definitely. a perfect team/no no isa team effort

[@aykfc]

Lol pitcher's understandably get all the credit, but every no hitter or perfect game involves at least one amazing play by the defense.

[@mikesummers-smith4091]

What a pleasure it is to watch a really well-played game. Hampton wasn't bad (apart from that horrible missed DP, which didn't cost), but Johnson had every hitter on a string and was immaculate. Full disclosure: Braves fan here.

[@ysxacidhjaljdh3193]

Greg Gibson is love, Greg Gibson is life.

[@MikePerez-yz3ty]

I was nervous watching it ten years later. Great show of support from the fans.

[@김현석-c3r]

Randy johnson u r just legend! U r the best pitcher ever:)

[@JSPUFC]

Love that the fans of Atlanta were applauding this. I wonder what the other team thinks thou. Wonder if they gave him the same respect.

[@bubbanater07]

How cool it is that I am watching this game exactly 10 years later 5/18/14.

[@MVuke84]

The Braves had a great team, especially hitters. I would have been cheering for history also. What a game to have witnessed.

[@justinroark88]

Witnessed this game on TBS live

[@MickeyThomas408]

Randy Johnson’s Innings 1st @7:55 2nd @19:41 3rd @33:53 4th @42:11 5th @51:22 6th @1:00:03 7th @1:11:01 8th @1:22:16 9th @1:32:38

[@jayhawkdave24]

In terms of pure dominance, I'd take Randy Johnson in his prime over anyone.

[@skip3778]

Pedro. no doubt

[@josecarranza7555]

Over Sandy Koufax?

[@Patrick-ih9cp]

Ryan, Johnson, Seaver, Shilling and Gooden

[@billydu9934]

Greg Gibson was motioning back in 04? nice!

[@astroknott5263]

Randy Johnson was a savage..don't think there will ever be a pitcher as dominant as him. I don't hate Chip like a lot of people do, but man i fucking miss Skip

[@justinroark88]

Skip made bad ballgames enjoyable to listen to. Had a very dry wit and always liked to make fun of the B movies that followed the Braves games

[@adamwintz1072]

Estrada put up hell of at bats. The only one to get to 3 balls (?) I think? So many fouls. Just battling the GOAT on his best ever night

[@moistbreadcrumb]

so good that even the away team cant help but love him

[@dericklarsen8139]

Randy Johnson you the man!

[@fredericsinotte4931]

I watch that game live on tv its was a amazing performance by the big unit

[@davidlofdahl2875]

wow.. the big unit

[@dobermansnp]

Thank you MLB Classics, to bring this historic ball game.

[@maxfic]

Thank you MLB for uploading these!

[@NewWaveFan1]

Saw this live when it aired it was epic. A 40 year old guy blowing hitters away and just got enough offense.

[@nickinportland]

Randy Johnson looks hilarious with a bat in his hands

[@coryn8262]

He's hit a homerun lol

[@DanielG1095]

At 115 pitches and he was still throwing a 97mph fastball??? Dude was a absolute beast

[@psyduckismlg9977]

Don’t forget the ridiculous 90+ mph slider, dude was almost not human!

[@tazztower44]

simply a class act..Johnson is one of baseballs finest

[@MrEvanNoyes]

First out of his perfect game was a stressful one. Love seeing this

[@braulioovalles.559]

Thank you very much he was looking for this game and not found him in any side beautiful game (y)

[@dylanrealmz9664]

If every baseball game was this long it would be more popular

[@rollo131]

Amazing pitcher, arguably the greatest lefthander of all time.

[@DanielG1095]

Greatest left hander ever

[@Sparkball]

Not really, Koufax was better, but Randy is a very close second

[@1981lashlarue]

Koufax definitely gets my vote, hands down. Randy Johnson is great too, but I would probably put Lefty Grove, Steve Carlton, and Warren Spahn ahead of him. Johnson is definitely top 5 though-- no doubt about that. Probably the greatest strikeout pitcher since Nolan Ryan.

[@1981lashlarue]

Chris Warren Koufax also played in an era where the talent wasn't diluted with massive expansion like the era Johnson played in. Koufax also pitched in a four-man rotation unlike the five-man rotation that Johnson did. I think that demonstrates Koufax's durability and stamina as he pitched more often with a lot of complete games unlike Johnson. He had four no hitters compared to Johnson's one. It's very difficult, if not impossible, to truly compare players from different eras. I still that Koufax is better though. Just my opinion.

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

well spoken....koufax, obviously, is the greatest pitcher of all time...followed by grove...palmer....seaver...hunter....spahn.....marichal.....gibson....ford....carlton....

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

he was, by FAR

[@sidneyatkins6678]

The Big Unit

[@huarachudo47]

The fans in Atlanta were great. Kudos to them too.

[@leftformorerules]

In my opinion, the perfect game is the beat thing to watch and the hardest thing to accomplish in all of sports. Maybe a hole in one is hard too, but I'd much rather watch a perfect game for a couple hours then wait for nothing to happen in golf

[@waydebaker7743]

Noel Granados I would say this is more skill a hole-one. I've got two and I'll be real honest it's the best swing of your life mixed with all the luck on the course at that moment. The wind has to be perfect, the green mowed just right. Tee box markers lined up to a T... the No-hitter/Perfecto is all all bout calming yourself and realizing it's just you and the catchers mit. That's the talent. Clearing your mind in this situation...

[@sketch5507]

Wayde Baker I think it’s also skill. I see ur point tho. Otherwise there would be all more perfectos.

[@anthonyhlavinka631]

117 pitches. A mere 30 of them missed. That is sick! Lol. Phenomenal doesn't begin to describe such a ratio. That's almost beyond belief.

[@SD-th9sp]

Absolutely true, and I didn’t watch every one but I know Gary Cederstrom behind the plate was no Eric Gregg, he was no pitcher’s umpire. (And that’s good, he made them earn it.)

[@BrandonTownsend]

I skipped straight to 1:35:55, and they were talking about Greg Gibson, the home plate umpire. He was probably motioning to both players.

[@MountainStreamLives]

Classy of the fans to cheer for him.

[@stephenstake]

He did such a good job of hiding his pitches. I paused in the middle of his windup and guessed at his release point whether slider or fastball and I still had difficulty.

[@adamwintz1072]

Let's not forget he listened to Rush before the game and had it in his head the whole time. Moving Pictures I believe.

[@juliusulit1141]

RJ unanimous first ballot HOFer.

[@inlinechris]

I lived in Atlanta when this happened I was 10 years old i remember watching this live

[@mbuckholz]

As a die hard DBACKS fan this gives me chills

[@timothyrangel9897]

Probably will never again see a pitcher hit while maintaining a perfect game

[@daverayasr.6287]

One of the greats!

[@washingtonadams7749]

Skip says that Randy was the 4th pitcher to throw a no-hitter in both leagues, but he's actually the 5th. He failed to mention JIm Bunning, who threw a no-no for the Tigers in '58 and a perfecto for the Phillies in '64.

[@sidneyatkins6678]

Fun fact Randy Johnson got his nickname The Big Unit from fellow outfielder Tim Raines

[@MrJoekoe97]

I agree. I really have to wonder how historically bad the D-Backs would've been if he wasn't with them that year. I still remember him giving up one or two runs on numerous occassions and always getting handed the loss. 7 times that year he took a loss giving up 2 or less runs and 3 times got a no decision giving up 1 or less. Hell, 10 of his losses were when he had a quality start. That's almost unheard of.

[@DekalbNIU2013]

The entirety of the 2004 Atlanta Braves offense disliked this video 😂

[@tonysanchez5750]

I agree, the GREATEST Left hander of all time, but let's not forget the Braves fans, they just proved what true Baseball Lovers they are!!!

[@Ben-xj2rf]

Tony Sanchez you really like hampton, don’t you? I personally wouldn’t call him the GOAT, but you do you.

[@MetalGivesUWings]

I love how atlanta gave him so much love

[@troyfore5355]

What's crazy about no hitters and perfect games... usually the other pitcher has good stuff that day too.. Hampton was pitching a very nice game take away the walks and the double/error.

[@whatsuphotdog]

so great to hear Skip and Joe calling a game

[@theyoungamptech320]

Seeing the catcher jump up and down for Randy reminds me of the no hitters I was privelaged to catch in middle and highschool. Theres no better feeling as a catcher. No better seat in the house to watch the game either.

[@HeiserPlays]

Literally no one would remember this game if the D-backs first baseman ran just a little bit slower on that first tag. Insane.