This Date In Mariners History: Randy Johnson Throws First No-Hitter

It took 13+ seasons from their maiden voyage in 1977 before the Seattle Mariners finally chalked-up their first no-hitter in club history and it happened on this date by a man who stepped into the record book just by stepping on to the mound.

June 2nd, 1990, "The Big Unit", Randy Johnson, no-hit the Detroit Tigers en route to a 2-0 victory.  Johnson, who to this day is still the tallest player in big league history at 6'10", was already in the record book for his physical stature but his performance 24 years ago was a precursor to the Hall of Fame stature he would attain as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers to ever play the game.

Still green, Johnson was "effectively wild" that June day.  He walked six batters while striking out eight in keeping the Motor City Kitties hitless for nine innings.  The final out, recorded when Tigers catcher Mike Heath swung wildly and missed at a pitch up around his head evidenced the lack of control that Johnson was trying to rein in.

Years later, as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Big Unit threw a perfect games - 27 up, 27 down - while notching his second no-no of his illustrious career.

Since that fateful day in the Kingdome, the Mariners have recorded three more no-hitters.  Three years later Chris Bosio faced the minimum number of batters while shutting down the Boston Red Sox, 7-0.  It would be another 20 seasons before the M's did it again when SIX M's pitchers (Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen) combined to no-hit the L.A. Dodgers 1-0.  The fourth no-hit performance was accomplished in 2012 when "The King" Felix Hernandez threw a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays.