SAN FRANCISCO -- A's manager Bob Melvin recalls the scene with ease and a jovial expression on his face, one of many fond memories he has from a long-lasting friendship with Randy Johnson.
It was 2001 and the eventual champion D-backs were about to play their first World Series game against the Yankees, which happened to be 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Johnson's first career World Series start. Melvin was Arizona's bench coach at the time.
Randy Velarde played ahead of Tino Martinez in the lineup that day because Velarde had good numbers against Johnson. Then a graphic popped up on TV, showing the hitters with the most success against the intimidating southpaw, and Melvin's name appeared alongside a staggering .