PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Randy Johnsons To Pitch At Greer Thursday

July 9, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE -- Having been spurned by the 6-foot-10, five-time Cy Young Award version of Randy Johnson, who instead of making a rehab start for Tucson in Thursday's series opener at Greer Stadium will be pitching for the Double-A El Paso Diablos, the Nashville Sounds are inviting area Randy Johnsons out to the ballpark to throw out first pitches on that night.

According to the current version of local phone directories, there are 65 Randy Johnsons living in the state of Tennessee and the Sounds have extended invitations to each of them to participate in Thursday's festivities. Prior to the 7:00 p.m. game, each Johnson on hand will be individually introduced and throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Arizona's Johnson had been to Greer Stadium in the past. On August 6, 1988, as a member of the Indianapolis Indians, Montreal's Triple-A farm club at the time, he and reliever Pat Pacillo combined to no-hit the Sounds when they were the Cincinnati Reds' Triple-A affiliate. Johnson, however, did not get the win in the contest, drawing the first no-hitter loss in the history of the American Association. Nashville won the game 1-0. In the first inning, Sounds infielder Lenny Harris walked, then stole second and third and came plateward on a Luis Quinones groundout.

The no-hitter was first of back-to-back no-hit gems tossed at Greer. The next night, Nashville's Jack Armstrong turned the trick against the Indians in a 4-0 win. The back-to-back no hitters were the first and only such feat in the history of the now-defunct American Association.

Tickets to all Nashville Sounds games are available online at www.nashvillesounds.com or by calling 615-242-4371.

Check out the Nashville Sounds Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 9, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central