"Randy Johnson retired Tuesday. Though it was expected, his announcement brought home the fact that no longer will we see that tall, gangly frame on the mound, glove covering his face, with a sidearm delivery that made left-handed hitters find religion and a slider so good that it had its own name, "Mr. Snappy."

Giants fans were the last to cheer him as their own. Johnson concluded his 22-year Hall of Fame career in San Francisco, where he earned the final eight of his 303 wins. His 300th came at Washington on June 4.

His 4,875 strikeouts rank second to Nolan Ryan's 5,714. His 100 complete games included two no-hitters, one a perfect game, and he won a World Series ring with Arizona in 2001. He was a 10-time All-Star and won five Cy Youngs.

He could have gone for 5,000 strikeouts. He could have tried for another ring. At age 46, though, the 6-foot-10 lefty decided it was time to end a career that he hatched as a child on the playgrounds of Livermore.

"Eventually, you have to say it's time," the Big Unit said during a conference call with reporters. "Could I play another year? I believe I could. I realize the last three or four years, my skills obviously were diminishing, and the bar is still set very high for me to do the things I once did.

"I'm at peace with it. I'm very much adamant about my decision. I weighed the pros and cons of coming back or retiring. The pros far outweigh the cons for retiring.""