The Associated Press file photo Randy Johnson (right) talks with Robby Hammock before throwing out the first pitch prior to an Arizona Diamondbacks game on May 18, 2019. The D-backs were celebrating the 15th anniversary of Johnson’s perfect game.

By Neil Rudel

nrudel@altoonamirror.com

Twenty years ago next month, Curve manager Robby Hammock was part of history, and the game will follow him the rest of his life.

On May 18, 2004, Hall of Famer Randy Johnson — pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks at age 40 — became the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game, beating the Atlanta Braves on a hot Atlanta night, 2-0.

Hammock was the catcher.

Thursday morning, during the Blair County Chamber’s breakfast club, Chamber CEO Joe Hurd marveled at Hammock’s achievement, and the 46-year-old Curve boss spent most of the session talking about it.

“It was the easiest game I ever caught,” he said. “No one got on base so I didn’t have much to worry about.”

Johnson was most impressed, telling reporters afterward, “I only shook (Hammock) off two or three times … He called a great game. The thing is he was probably the most excited guy in the clubhouse.”

When Hammock, then in just his second season, arrived for the game the next day, “It was pretty chaotic,” he said, adding he did “interview after interview,” and, “Out of the woodwork, people were calling my name.”

That Hammock grew up in Marietta, Georgia, enhanced the moment.

“I left 40-50 tickets on the pass list, and another 100 or so had bought tickets,” he said. “It was pretty special.”

Because the game was tight — “a broken-bat hit and a home run from being tied,” Hammock said — he wasn’t thinking ahead.

“I was only concentrating on winning,” he said.

He chatted with Johnson briefly between innings about the next batters, but otherwise, there was no small talk.

“He was super intense, a unique character,” Hammock said of the 6-foot-10 fireballer. “He didn’t talk to anybody on his game days.”

Around “the sixth or seventh inning,” Hammock started thinking about the perfect possibility. Coming out for the ninth inning, he made eye contact with his parents, who were sitting in the fourth row.

“I was able to keep my emotions together,” he said.

When his playing career with Arizona ended in 2011 after 162 games and a .254 batting average (12 home runs, 54 RBIs), Hammock was offered a job with the Diamondbacks as a hitting coach.

Though he said his “skills diminished” probably two or three years prior, he was kept around for his defensive prowess and leadership.

But he still found the transition difficult.

“I cried that night,” he admitted. “You have an identity your whole career as a player and competitor, and now all that’s gone, and you have a new identity.”

He also knew he wanted to manage in the big leagues, and the last 10 years have put him on that track, serving as a minor league skipper with the D-Backs and San Diego before joining the Pirates organization in 2023.

His first week in Altoona has been as advertised.

“I heard nothing but great things coming in, and it’s lived up to it,” he said, citing “stadium improvements, the fan base, booster club and top-notch facilities.”

He said the Pirates’ brass gives him plenty of autonomy and allows him to make “all the in-game decisions” within the framework of slotting players in desired positions and situations for ongoing evaluation.

He looks forward more than back, focused on “trying to get a team ready rather than just yourself,” but he also enjoys reminiscing about his place in history.

Hammock said he “never watched the (perfect) game until a couple years ago,” then added, with a smile, “I was super nervous — and I knew what was going to happen.”

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.