Don’t Count on Johnson Cutting Back

Too many people, the Big Unit was saying at Dodger Stadium, tend to make too big an issue out of all those high pitch counts.

Maybe, Randy Johnson was saying, it’s because he was 5-5 after a 14-2 first half last season or pitched poorly in his 1999 division-series start against the New York Mets after throwing 271 2/3 innings during the regular season, but “I really think it’s a nonissue. I enjoy going out there and letting the game dictate how I feel and how many pitches I throw.�

Johnson led the major leagues in pitches each of the last two years, averaging 115 a start last season and 120 in 1999. He also won the National League’s Cy Young Award both seasons and led the major leagues in strikeouts.

Preparing for 2001, Johnson and new Arizona Diamondback Manager Bob Brenly discussed limiting his early-season pitch counts, but there he was in his Tuesday night debut, delivering 132 pitches in seven innings of a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers, walking four and striking out 10 while giving up only four hits.

“His mechanics were good and he wasn’t laboring,� Brenly said the next day. “He and Curt Schilling are warriors. Give them the ball, they don’t want to give it back.�

Said Johnson, “I’m 37, a little wiser, maybe not as stubborn. But I still like to finish what I start. I feel as strong as ever. I have four days between starts. I want to feel like I’m contributing when I’m out there.�

Contributing? Johnson was 17-9 with a league-leading 2.48 earned-run average in 1999, and 19-7 with a 2.64 ERA last season. He has 3,050 strikeouts, ranking 12th all-time, and will move to 10th with a typical season of 300-plus.

If he can maintain that level for each of the three seasons he has left on his contract, he will move past Bert Blyleven, third with 3,701, and challenge Steve Carlton, second with 4,136.

Of course, Nolan Ryan is out there alone at 5,714.

“That’s amazing,� Johnson said, smiling. “He pitched 27 years. I’ve pitched 13. If I pitch another 13 I’ll be 50. I don’t know how productive I can be at 50.�

Johnson, however, has already caught Ryan in one category. They are the only pitchers to have struck out 300 or more batters in three consecutive seasons.

The Big Unit takes the next step today, making his second start of the new season against the St. Louis Cardinals. Some people will be counting pitches, but not Johnson.

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Cincinnati General Manager Jim Bowden wasn’t overstating it when he described the loss of potential starter Scott Williamson as “devastating, just devastating.�

The Reds suspected a problem in spring training when they returned Williamson to the bullpen because of a loss of velocity, but he denied there was a problem--�Pitchers are liars,� Manager Bob Boone said--until Tuesday night tests showed a ligament tear in his elbow and the need for reconstructive surgery.

“You can’t replace a guy like Scott Williamson,� Bowden said. “If he started, he could win 15. If he closed, he could be Trevor Hoffman. We have good guys [in the bullpen], but it’s tough to replace a quality arm like his. It’s just something we can’t overcome.�

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Anyone for the Astrodome? Houston’s Enron Field yielded a major league-leading 249 home runs last season, but fasten the seat belts. There were 11 hit in the opening three-game series between the Astros and Milwaukee Brewers, projecting to 297 for the season.