=== Cooperstown-bound Randy Johnson announces retirement ===

Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson
announced his retirement from baseball late Tuesday night.

Johnson became the 24th pitcher in major league history last season to record
his 300th win while pitching for the San Francisco Giants. However, the left-
hander suffered a tear in his rotator cuff shortly thereafter and missed more
than a month before returning in a relief role late in the season.

The 46-year-old hurler, who trails only Roger Clemens (six) in career Cy
Young Awards, ended the year 8-6 with a 4.88 ERA.

"I wanted to go out on my terms," the 10-time All-Star said in Tuesday's late
conference call. "I definitely wanted to make the decision wholeheartedly and
that I would stick to [retirement]...I didn't want to make a hasty decision.
I'm at peace with it."

As intimidating a presence as there ever was on the mound, Johnson won a World
Series in 2001 with Arizona and played in eight Division Series and two League
Championship Series. He shared the World Series MVP Award with teammate Curt
Schilling in 2001, while winning......