Randy Johnson has No. 51 retired by D-Backs

PHOENIX - Saying ''there were a lot of special moments created here,'' Randy Johnson thanked fans, teammates, front office personnel, even the clubhouse guys, when the Arizona Diamondbacks retired his No. 51 on Saturday night.

Johnson won four consecutive NL Cy Young Awards and a World Series championship, threw a perfect game at age 40, and as he noted, killed a bird with a pitch during his eight seasons - over two stints - with the Diamondbacks.

The honor came two weeks after Johnson's induction as a first-ballot selection to baseball's Hall of Fame.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

He joins former teammate Luis Gonzalez as the only Arizona players to have their number retired by the franchise.

Johnson strode to the infield from the bullpen, the same walk he took in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.

When the ceremony was over, he stood on the mound he had so dominated and waved to the big crowd.

The Diamondbacks presented Johnson with an exact replica of the drum set used by the rock group Rush. Johnson is friends with members of the band, particularly bass player and lead singer Geddy Lee.

In eight seasons over two stints with Arizona, Johnson was 118-62 with a 2.83 ERA. He struck out 2,077 with the Diamondbacks and had 416 walks.

Johnson had the best ERA in the National League three times when he was with Arizona. He was 21-6 with a 2.49 ERA in Arizona's 2001 World Series championship season.

His best statistical season with the Diamondbacks was 2002. He led the NL in wins, going 24-5 with a career-best 2.32 ERA. In each of his four Cy Young seasons in Arizona, he never pitched fewer than 248 innings.

''I'm so thankful that I met Jerry Colangelo,'' Johnson said. ''He had a vision for this franchise. He brought successful baseball to Arizona, something that all of you can be proud of. We won a World Series faster than any other franchise in history, and I thank you Jerry.''