Johnson faces new foes, his old mates

When Randy Johnson took the mound Tuesday in Scottsdale, it was just a few exits east on I-10 from the site where he helped build a Major League franchise.  That franchise was the Arizona Diamondbacks for whom he brought home four division titles, earned four of his five Cy Young awards, and captured a World Series title in 2001.

But his first against Arizona, according to Johnson, was just another spring training outing.  Telling MLB.com beat writer, Chris Haft, that he "had enough time to think about it" since signing with the Giants back in December.

If he hadn't fully processed the move, it would be hard to blame the Big Unit.  Johnson truly came into his own in the desert.  Later he would engineer an escape from New York prior to the '07 season so he could retire in the "House the Unit Built," better known as Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks had slightly different plans. Johnson offered to take a "home town discount" this season to stay with the D-Backs and pursue his 300th career win, and envisioned riding off past the Papago Hills and into the sunset. 

But, as it turned out, the Giants made the deal for Johnson and he was replaced in Arizona by free agent Jon Garland for a slight comparative discount; $7.25 million to Johnson's $8 million.

So let's assume RJ, which he prefers to the nickname "Big Unit," was facing the Diamondbacks with the same fervent tenacity he'll take with him to the mound on a Tuesday night against the Nationals.  That's absolutely great news for the Giants.

But if today's start (the one with the seven strikeouts on 42 pitches in three innings) was aided a little by revenge, could you blame him?

I can't.  Like I mentioned Johnson BUILT the Diamondbacks.  Sure, Jerry Colangelo and a few other really rich people (who may not be as rich today) brought the team to Phoenix. But, without the acquisition of Johnson, along with the leadership and integrity he provided that organization, the state of the Diamondbacks would be just as bleak today as the Marlins, Rockies, and pre '08 Rays.

In 1998 the Diamondbacks joined the National League West, they won only 65 games and lost 97.  Typical for an expansion team in their inaugural season.  Fast forward to 1999.  Arizona made a commitment to immediate and prolonged success.  They followed through on that commitment, and Johnson was the main cog.

In '99 Johnson lead the D-Backs to 102 wins and an NL West title.  He took home the first of four straight Cy Young awards, and led Arizona back to the postseason twice more before being traded to the Yankees prior to 2005.

In '04 Arizona finished dead last with a 51-111 record.  Johnson, at the fresh age of 40, went 16-14 with a 2.60 ERA.  Remarkable considering the team around him.  The next two seasons the D-Backs went 153-171, good for a .472 winning percentage without Johnson.

He not only built this organization, he gave the franchise a face, albeit not the prettiest. He pitched as well or better than anybody else in the game during his time in Arizona.  Then he came back and tried to do it again.

If Randy feels slighted by the Diamondbacks, that's fine.  If Arizona wanted to let his cranky back work for somebody else, that's also just okay.  Baseball is a business first, and a game second.  But you will never be able to completely divorce the human emotions from the business side.  But that's why we care.

When Johnson wins his 300th game he'll likely do it wearing a Giants uniform.  But if he's still bleeding a little purple and teal (and some maroon too) on the inside, that's fine with me.  He's earned the right.