Randy Johnson racked up 4,875 strikeouts during his Hall of Fame career, and his daunting 6-foot-10 frame made him one of the most intimidating pitchers in the game.
Johnson played for six teams across 22 years, but one jersey most fans would not think to picture him in is headed to auction at Grey Flannel — and it’s from his college days.
The auction house, known for its sales of baseball and basketball jerseys, is offering a 1983-84 USC jersey worn by Johnson with bidding starting at $2,500.
The jersey last sold publicly at SCP in 2020 for $1,720.
Though the “Big Unit” struggled with his control during his USC days — alongside teammate Mark McGwire — Johnson would be drafted in the second round of the MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos in 1985.
Johnson also happens to have a unique relationship with collectors and his jerseys, recently telling a fan during a signing at Seattle’s Mill Creek Sports that he rarely signs jerseys in an attempt to preserve their value for charity auctions.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.