On June 29, 2004, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson became the fourth pitcher in Major League Baseball history to record 4,000 career strikeouts. Johnson achieved the milestone during a game against the San Diego Padres at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona.
Johnson struck out Padres shortstop Khalil Greene in the fourth inning to reach the 4,000-strikeout mark. He finished the game with 11 strikeouts over seven innings, leading the Diamondbacks to a 3-2 victory. At the time, Johnson joined Nolan Ryan (5,714), Steve Carlton (4,136), and Roger Clemens (4,099) as the only pitchers to reach 4,000 strikeouts.
Johnson, a left-handed pitcher known for his overpowering fastball and devastating slider, finished his career with 4,875 strikeouts, third all-time behind Ryan and Clemens. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
