Randy Johnson: The Legacy Continues Beyond the Mound
Widely revered as one of baseball’s most formidable pitchers, Randy Johnson’s illustrious career is defined by striking achievements and unwavering dedication. With five Cy Young Awards and 303 game wins under his belt, Johnson emerged as a leading force in the league, topping the strikeout charts nine times. The "Big Unit" finally hung up his cleats after the 2009 baseball season, but his impact on the sport and beyond remains profound.
Reflecting on his retirement, Johnson shared, "I retired after the 2009 season and in 2010, married and with my kids, [I was] just trying to give back time that I had been giving baseball." This transition marked a new chapter in his life, focusing more extensively on his family and personal pursuits. His commitment to giving back extended beyond his household to broader, more impactful endeavors.
In fact, from 2010 to 2019, Johnson dedicated significant time to USO tours, supporting the men and women in uniform. He recounted, "The one commitment I did have was when I got really involved in the USO tours. The first tour I went on [was in] 2010 and I went all the way to 2019, so for nine years, I went all over the world supporting our men and women." This commitment stemmed from a friend's invitation, reflecting his deeply ingrained sense of duty and appreciation for service members. "That came about because a friend of mine ... was in charge of getting the celebrities or high-profile athletes and he asked me if I wanted to do it and I said I'd love to do it when I retire," he added.
Johnson’s devotion to community and mentoring the younger generation also manifested in a heartwarming collaboration with Sizzler, where he coached a youth baseball team predominantly composed of six to eight-year-olds. "The whole premise was they weren't unfortunately a very good team, basically like 'The Bad News Bears' of the '70s and I'm playing Walter Matthau, if you will," Johnson jokingly remarked. His experience, however, was enriching. "It was really pretty cool to be out there and watch their effort and their excitement and their exhilaration and their camaraderie among one another," he noted. This initiative highlighted his ability to inspire and instill a love for the game in young, eager minds.
One of the striking aspects of Johnson's career was his resilience against major elbow issues, a rarity among pitchers of his era and even more so today. He expressed bewilderment at the frequency of injuries plaguing contemporary pitchers. "For every 15 Tommy John surgeries that are happening in today's game, there might've been one every year in my era, that I heard of," Johnson observed. Reflecting on the endurance required back then, he mentioned, "They would throw 250-260 innings and 135 pitches a game, so I don't know why there are so many injuries in today's game, I really don't."
Transitioning smoothly into a mentor’s role, Johnson shared valuable insights with up-and-coming rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts this season and reached the 100-pitch mark seven times, has not thrown more than 107 pitches in a single game. Echoing wisdom from his playing days, Johnson advised, "If you want to be the pitcher that you're capable of being, you need to step up and show people what you're capable of doing and voice your opinion." He emphasized the importance of conditioning, stating, "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
Johnson also stands as a proponent of the pitch clock in modern baseball, a feature designed to speed up the games. "I think the big benefit is what it was meant to do is quicken the games up and I think that's good. I think it's better that pitchers get on the mound and pitch," he explained. His support for innovations that refine the sport while maintaining its essence is indicative of his forward-thinking approach.
Though Randy Johnson may have retired from professional play, his enduring influence, both on and off the field, highlights his unwavering commitment to baseball, military appreciation, and youth development. His journey post-retirement is a testament to a life dedicated to excellence and service, ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of baseball players and fans alike.