"Randy Johnson had just become the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game -- a feat that left him with some mixed feelings. He wasn't looking to take the Advil account away from Nolan Ryan.

"You guys keep saying I'm old," Johnson said to reporters. "And someday I will be."

That was more than five years ago, after his 2004 bit of perfection against the Atlanta Braves, a game in which his final pitch clocked at 98 m.p.h., and the truth is we're finally closing in on that chapter in his one-of-a-kind career.

Johnson can't go to the mound and beat hitter after hitter with his blazing fastball anymore. He has to pitch. But you figure that's probably all right with the 6-foot-10-inch left-hander from Livermore, Calif., because that's really all he ever has wanted to be -- a pitcher.

On Wednesday night along the banks of the Anacostia River, practically in the shadow of the Washington Monument, the 45-year-old will get his first chance to win his 300th game and, in the minds of anyone who otherwise might link him to Bert Blyleven and Tommy John, validate his greatness.

He's trying to become the 24th member of the 300-victory club and the first since Phil Niekro in 1985 to get the milestone triumph on his first try.

If for no reason other than the fact he's facing baseball's weakest team, the Nationals, it wouldn't be surprising if he does what Ryan, Don Sutton, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine couldn't -- win No. 300 on his first try. But the punching-bag status of his opponent is not the only reason to like his chances.

Compared to his Hall of Fame predecessors, the Big Unit is a picture of perseverance. He had won just three games when he was traded for the first time, going from Montreal to Seattle at 25 in 1989. He has more wins in his 40s (71) than he did in his 20s (64)."