Randy Johnson's Legacy: Dominating the Mound and Giving Back
Randy Johnson stands tall in the annals of baseball as one of the sport's most formidable pitchers. Known for his towering presence on the mound and a fastball that left batters in awe, Johnson amassed a remarkable array of achievements during his illustrious career. Highlighted by five Cy Young Awards and 303 game wins, he led the league in strikeouts nine times, cementing his status as one of the greats in the game.
After retiring at the close of the 2009 baseball season, Johnson redirected his focus towards 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.
A Commitment to Service
Despite stepping away from the professional sphere, Johnson's sense of duty led him to participate in USO tours from 2010 to 2019. “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,” Johnson shared. His involvement in these tours was sparked by a friend's suggestion, who was responsible for recruiting celebrities and high-profile athletes. "It 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."
Mentorship and Community Engagement
In addition to his service, Johnson channeled his passion for baseball into coaching. In a promotional campaign with Sizzler, Johnson took on the role of coaching a youth baseball team composed mostly of players between six and eight years old. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “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. 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.”
Insights on the Modern Game
Known for his durability, Johnson remarkably avoided major elbow issues throughout his career—a feat in stark contrast to the frequency of Tommy John surgeries seen in today's 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 remarked. He further questioned the prevalence of injuries in the current era, noting, “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.”
Advice to the Next Generation
Johnson’s role as a mentor extended to rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, whom he provided with valuable insights and advice. Skenes' performance this season includes logging 92 innings across 15 starts, hitting the 100-pitch mark seven times, without exceeding 107 pitches in a single game. Johnson emphasized the importance of stepping up and showing one's capabilities. “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 advised. He also highlighted the necessity of physical conditioning to withstand the rigors of pitching. “You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is,” he said.
Support for Modern Innovations
Despite his old-school sensibilities, Johnson expressed support for certain modern changes in the game, specifically the pitch clock, designed to hasten the pace of play. “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 stated, aligning himself with efforts to make the sport more engaging for fans.
Randy Johnson's career and post-retirement activities paint the picture of a man who not only dominated on the mound but also committed himself to service, mentorship, and the continuous evolution of baseball. His contributions to the sport and society echo the dedication and excellence that defined his time in Major League Baseball.