In March 2001, a 100-mph Randy Johnson pitch obliterated a dove mid-flight, crystallizing his image as a terrifying force of nature. Standing six foot ten, he was cut from his high school basketball team for failing to run a six-minute mile, and his enormous frame made syncing his kinetic chain a nightmare of wildness. He led the majors in walks for three straight seasons in Seattle while batters openly feared for their safety.

A meeting with Nolan Ryan and coach Tom House revealed a tiny flaw: he was landing on his heel. Shifting to the ball of his foot, paired with the loss of his father, transformed chaos into discipline.

• Won four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1999 to 2002 with Arizona
• Won three games in the 2001 World Series, including Game 7 on zero days rest
• Threw a perfect game in 2004 at age 40, the old ...