Randy Johnson: The Legacy Beyond the Mound
Randy Johnson is a name synonymous with dominance on the baseball field. Known as one of the most formidable pitchers in the history of the sport, Johnson's illustrious career includes five Cy Young Awards, an impressive 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts nine times. His legacy, however, extends far beyond the statistics.
Johnson, who retired after the 2009 season, has embraced life off the field with the same passion that defined his time on it. "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," Johnson shared. His post-retirement years have been marked by a dedication to family and personal endeavors.
One of Johnson's notable commitments during his retirement has been his involvement in USO tours. From 2010 to 2019, he participated in these tours, offering his support to American military personnel around the globe. "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," Johnson recounted. The opportunity came through a friend in charge of recruiting celebrities and high-profile athletes, and Johnson eagerly accepted the chance to contribute.
Johnson's engagement with the community didn't stop there. In a promotional campaign with the restaurant chain Sizzler, he found himself coaching a youth baseball team. This team, composed mostly of players between six and eight years old, was reminiscent of "The Bad News Bears" from the '70s. "I'm playing Walter Matthau, if you will," he joked. Despite the team's lack of experience, Johnson appreciated watching their effort, excitement, and camaraderie blossom on the field.
Throughout his career, Johnson remarkably avoided major elbow issues, a stark contrast to the current landscape of baseball. "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," he observed. Johnson attributes this to the demanding pitching routines of his time: "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 advice to young pitchers like rookie Paul Skenes emphasizes the need to adapt one's body to workload: "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts this season, has hit the 100-pitch mark seven times, without exceeding 107 pitches in a single game. Johnson's insights and advice have been invaluable to Skenes and other young pitchers striving to reach their potential. "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," Johnson advised.
Another modern innovation that Johnson supports is the pitch clock, designed to quicken 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," he opined, underscoring the value of maintaining a steady rhythm on the field.
Randy Johnson's journey from a towering presence on the mound to a dedicated family man and community supporter illustrates the many dimensions of his character. While his pitching prowess undoubtedly cemented his place in baseball history, his post-retirement activities reflect a continued commitment to making a positive impact, both on and off the field.