"The Big Unit meeting the big deal?" - Fans buzz as Pirates ace Paul Skenes meets pitching legend Randy Johnson
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes met Arizona Diamondbacks great and pitching icon Randy Johnson on Saturday. MLB fans were excited about the duo sharing the frame.
Skenes met the iconic pitcher ahead of his team's second game of the series against the Snakes at Chase Field on Saturday. Skenes is not taking part in the series after suffering his first loss in 12 starts for the Pirates against the Cardinals.
MLB fans were excited by the picture of the rookie sensation with "The Big Unit."
"The big unit meeting the big deal?" exclaimed a fan.
"RJ the most normal Legend in the MLB," wrote another fan.
"THE GOAT AND RANDY JOHNSON," wrote another fan.
Several fans also made sarcastic comments while comparing the two.
"Paul Skenes is really nice! he’s taking a picture with a MLB photographer," joked a fan at Johnson's profession post-retirement.
"I bet randy could still pump 90," wrote a fan.
"A goat and Randy Johnson," read a sarcastic comment.
While Skenes' comparison to an MLB icon in his debut season seems premature, the rookie has already shown signs of greatness and became the first player in history to feature in an All-Star game in the same year he was drafted.
The Pirates missed Paul Skenes from the mound as the Diamondbacks took the game 9-5 to win their second consecutive game and claim a series win.
Randy Johnson honored by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday
Randy Johnson and his former Arizona Diamondbacks teammate Luis Gonzalez were honored by the Snakes in a pregame ceremony on Saturday. The duo played a pivotal role in the Diamondbacks' first and only World Series triumph in 2001.
The franchise icons were bestowed with Hall of Fame plaques highlighting their achievements for the franchise and becoming the inaugural inductees to the Hall of Fame.
Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall said on the occasion:
“We have enough greats that have played for us. It’s time to have the Hall of Fame, and it’s going to be tough to get into our Hall of Fame. And there’s no doubt these two deserve to be the inaugural class.”
Randy Johnson was named the World Series MVP for his heroics in 2001 and remains one of the greatest pitchers to ever grace the mound. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first attempt in 2015.