Unlucky Randy Johnson

`Big Unit` Randy Johnson (38, Arizona Diamondbacks) had trouble all throughout the postseason `Fall festival`. Although he won two games in the 1995 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees and played in the playoffs six times up until 1999, he has had to bear the yoke of defeat. May be the `small heart on a large stage` is getting in the way of the 2m 8 tall Johnson.

The postseason jinx did not end for Johnson this year either. During the regular season, Johnson recorded 21 wins (6 losses), 2.49 in average earned run, 372 strikeouts, rising to number 1 and very likely in place for his fourth award.

However, he once again became a losing pitcher when he played for two rounds in the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He gave one home run, six base hits, with three points in eight innings, recording a 1-4 losing streak for the team. It was an extreme contrast to his teammate, Kurt Shilling`s complete blockade in the first game. Johnson now has 7 losses in the postseason and has suffered a blow to his confidence.

After its loss, Arizona is now 1-1 with St. Louis.

With Arizona failing to use the opportunity created by Shilling`s near perfect pitch, the Diamondback`s Kim Byung-Hyun`s entry as the first Korean player in the postseason had to be postponed until next week. Kim Byung-Hyun will take the mound in the third game against St. Louis which opens in Busch Stadium on October 13.

The Atlanta Braves beat the Houston Astros 1-0 in the second game of the National League Division Series, Tom Glavine pitching eight innings without giving any points. Winning two games, the Braves will qualify for the championship series with just one more win.

The Oakland Athletics, which entered the postseason as the wildcard, beat the New York Yankees, who are shooting for their fourth World Series Championship, 5-3 in the first round of the AL Division Series. New York Yankees` star pitcher, `Rocket man` Roger Clemens gave 1 homerun, four base hits, and two points, and had to leave the field after only four innings due to a groin injury.

Kim Jong-Seok kjs0123@donga.com