In the annals of baseball history, few pitchers command as much respect and admiration as Randy Johnson. Known for his towering presence and devastating fastball, Johnson has carved out a legacy that remains impactful even years after his retirement.
On the Mound: Dominance Redefined
Over the course of his illustrious career, Randy Johnson achieved unparalleled success. The left-hander secured five Cy Young Awards, an accolade honoring the best pitchers in the game. Additionally, Johnson notched 303 game wins and led the league in strikeouts nine times, underscoring his dominance in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Remarkably, Johnson managed to avoid major elbow issues during his career, a feat relatively uncommon in today’s game. Reflecting on the evolution of pitcher durability, he observed, "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’s tenure was marked by an old-school mentality and an impressive workload. He highlighted this gap, saying, "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."
Post-Retirement: A New Chapter
After hanging up his cleats at the conclusion of the 2009 season, Johnson directed his energies elsewhere. "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. This post-retirement phase was characterized by a focus on family and personal endeavors.
Giving Back Through USO
One significant commitment that occupied Johnson post-retirement was his involvement in USO tours. From 2010 to 2019, Johnson dedicated nine years to supporting US military personnel around 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 recalled.
How did this unique opportunity arise? Johnson 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."
Community Engagement: Coaching Youth Baseball
Beyond his global travels with the USO, Johnson also engaged with the community closer to home. He participated in a promotional campaign with Sizzler, where he coached a youth baseball team. The team, composed mostly of players between six and eight years old, reminiscent of the underdog spirit embodied in the 1970s film "The Bad News Bears."
"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 mused. Despite the team's initial struggles, Johnson cherished the experience, noting, "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."
Sharing Wisdom with the Next Generation
Even in retirement, Johnson’s influence on the sport remains potent. He recently shared insights and advice with rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who has had an impressive run this season. Skenes has logged 92 innings across 15 starts and has hit the 100-pitch mark seven times, though he has not thrown more than 107 pitches in a single game.
"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. Reflecting on the rigors of pitching, he added, "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
Modern Baseball: Embracing Change
As the game of baseball evolves, Johnson has embraced some of the changes, particularly the introduction of the pitch clock aimed at speeding up 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," he stated.
Through his storied career and impactful post-retirement engagements, Randy Johnson remains a towering figure in the baseball community. His legacy is not just in the records he set and the games he won, but also in the wisdom and inspiration he continues to share with both the next generation of athletes and the broader community.