FanHouse ScottWilliamson

I covered Randy Johnson as a beat writer for eight seasons: 1999-2004 with the Diamondbacks and then 2005-06 with the Yankees. (We both moved East the same winter, by coincidence.)

So I figure I saw about 230 of Johnson's starts – hey, I deserved a day off once in a while – and more than 100 of his 300 wins. Off the top of my head, here are the top 10 Randy Johnson moments I witnessed in those eight years:

1. Perfection (May 18, 2004)
Twenty-seven up, 27 down at Atlanta. And after this game, Johnson even smiled. His 117th and final pitch, a called strike to Eddie Perez, was 98 mph. His 14 strikeouts were second-most ever in a perfect game, and at 40, he was the oldest ever to be perfect. "I don't think my stuff has been any better than it was today," Johnson said.

There aren't many people around White Sox camp that thought Joe Crede would still be the team's opening day third baseman, but with every passing day, that scenario becomes more likely. The Sox have a few reasons to want to move Crede: to make room for Josh Fields, and because they don't think they'll re-sign him when he becomes a free agent after the season.

The problem is, even though they were hoping to move him before the season starts, that doesn't mean Kenny Williams and the organization don't hold the 2005 World Series hero in high regard. Unfortunately, the teams they're talking to don't feel the same way.

San Francisco, the most likely suitor for Crede, and the Sox have disparate evaluations that carry ramifications for both sides.

A talent evaluator familiar with both teams said the Sox were miffed the Giants' offers for Crede included since-released pitcher Scott Williamson; pitcher Randy Messenger, who was optioned to Triple-A Fresno last week; and veteran outfielder Dave Roberts.

The White Sox asking price of a top prospect and a young reliever is apparently too steep for the Giants, who prefer to offer players on their team they never planned on keeping anyway. Fortunately for Kenny and the White Sox, the Giants now have a division rival who are also interested in Crede.

The Dodgers had scouts in attendance for Crede's last game, and they're not too sure they want Nomar Garciaparra playing third base while Andy LaRoche recovers from a hand injury. Now the Sox will have some leverage in their trade talks, and it's still possible that Crede will be moved before the season. Though I think it's more likely the Sox will carry Crede along with them through the start of the season and try to move him at the deadline.

Remember how we told you that Adrian Beltre thinks the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee is haunted? Well, I'm guessing he's not a fan of The Vinoy, a St. Petersburg hotel that visiting teams often frequent when playing the Devil Rays. From the Palm Beach Post:

Through the years, the historic landmark has become known as much for its comfortable rooms and scenic surroundings as it has for its alleged paranormal amenities - from faucets turning on themselves to the unidentified ghostly couple appearing in the top tower.

[Mariners catcher Miguel] Olivo said he has never seen anything odd at the Vinoy, but a few of his Seattle Mariners teammates were spooked a few years ago by strange noises and sightings. "Eddie Guardardo was so scared, he left the hotel,'' Olivo said.

I'm sure Guardado appreciates being outed, Miguel. But at least Everyday Eddie can take solace in the fact that he's not the only one spooked. Numerous other players have spoken up over the years, and Pirates strength coordinator Frank Velasquez and Reds reliever Scott Williamson in particular both swear they've seen a ghost in their room -- their accounts can be found in this preview of the upcoming book Haunted Baseball, which has a whole chapter dedicated to The Vinoy.

Previously on FanHouse:
Don't Take Adrian Beltre to a Haunted House