28 years ago today, the Mariners completed a 5-player trade, sending left-hander Mark Langston and a Player to be Named Later (Mike Campbell) to the Montreal Expos. In return, the club received right-handed pitchers Brian Holman and Gene Harris and a 6-foot-10 fire-balling lefty named Randy Johnson.
With the Expos, Johnson was a hard-throwing, intimidating starter who hurled an upper-90s fastball and a devastating slider from his 6–10 frame but struggled with command. He compiled a record of 3–4 with a 4.69 ERA in 11 games with Montreal before being acquired by the Mariners.
“The Big Unit” quickly harnessed his potential in Seattle.