Game 145 in most baseball seasons is just another game down the stretch of a grueling 162-game slate. But in 1995, thanks to the baseball strike that shortened the season, it was do-or-die for the Seattle Mariners.
The Mariners had miraculously overcome a 13-game deficit to force a one-game playoff against the California Angels. They stared a 19-year playoff drought in the eye as they took the turf at a sold-out Kingdome.
But any apprehension was quelled by the 6-foot-10 ace who took the mound — Randy Johnson.
Johnson exuded quiet confidence, but it couldn’t possibly be mistaken for a lack of intensity.