Randy Johnson: From Cy Young Dominance to Global Ambassador
Randy Johnson's name is firmly etched in the annals of baseball history, renowned as one of the most formidable pitchers to ever play the game. Standing tall at 6 feet 10 inches, Johnson towered over his competition, both physically and statistically. His career accolades speak volumes: five Cy Young Awards, an impressive 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts nine times. Such feats have immortalized him in the lore of Major League Baseball.
Having retired after the 2009 season, Johnson transitioned from the pitcher's mound to a life focused on family and personal endeavors. "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," he reflected. This shift allowed him to provide the time and presence that his grueling professional career had often demanded elsewhere.
Yet, retirement for Johnson did not equate to a complete retreat from public life. From 2010 to 2019, Johnson dedicated himself to the United Service Organizations (USO), participating in tours that took him across the globe. "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," he shared with palpable pride. This endeavor arose from a personal connection, as he explained, "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."
Beyond his international contributions, Johnson found time to engage with youth, exemplified by his involvement in a promotional campaign with Sizzler. Here, he coached a young team likened to "The Bad News Bears" of the '70s. "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," he humorously noted. Despite the team's initial struggles, Johnson found fulfillment in witnessing their growth and teamwork. "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 recounted.
Discussing current baseball trends and issues, Johnson expressed nostalgia and concern. Remarkably, he avoided major elbow issues throughout his career, contrasting sharply with modern-day 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 of his contemporaries, he recalled, "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." His insight into the rigorous demands of professional pitching, coupled with a call to adapt, shines through in his advice: "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
Amidst these reflections, Johnson has not shied away from imparting wisdom to the new generation of pitchers. His interaction with rookie sensation Paul Skenes is indicative of this mentorship role. Skenes' stats are impressive, with 92 innings across 15 starts this season, including seven occasions where he's hit the 100-pitch mark, yet never exceeding 107 pitches in a single game. Johnson's guidance emphasizes leadership and resilience: "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."
In tune with contemporary shifts in the sport, Johnson endorses the pitch clock, a modern alteration designed to hasten the pace of 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," Johnson articulated, highlighting the positive impact of this change on the game he dedicated much of his life to.
Randy Johnson’s journey from a dominant force in baseball to a dedicated family man and global ambassador underscores his multifaceted contributions to the sport and beyond. His reflections and engagements offer a bridge between the storied past and evolving future of baseball.