Randy Johnson: A Legend on the Mound and Beyond
Randy Johnson, renowned for his towering presence and devastating fastball, stands as one of baseball's most formidable pitchers. Over his illustrious career, Johnson amassed a staggering 303 game wins, captured five Cy Young Awards, and led the league in strikeouts nine times. His accolades speak to a career that many can only dream of, and his impact on the game is indelible.
After hanging up his glove following the 2009 season, Johnson turned his focus to family and personal endeavors. Looking back on his retirement, Johnson said, "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 shift in priorities marked the beginning of a new chapter for the legendary pitcher.
One significant post-retirement undertaking was Johnson's involvement with the United Service Organizations (USO). From 2010 to 2019, he participated in USO tours, supporting American service members 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," Johnson recounted.
Johnson's participation in these tours stemmed from a personal connection. "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," shared Johnson. His contributions to the morale and welfare of American troops highlight a side of the pitcher that extends beyond the baseball diamond.
Beyond his work with the USO, Johnson has also given back to the community through other initiatives. One such instance was a promotional campaign with Sizzler, during which he coached a youth baseball team largely composed of young players between six and eight years old. "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," Johnson reflected. The experience was reminiscent of "The Bad News Bears" movie, with Johnson humorously comparing himself to the character played by Walter Matthau.
While Johnson's career was notably free of major elbow issues, he has observed a troubling trend of injuries among 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 noted the rigorous workloads that pitchers once endured, stating, "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."
In advising up-and-coming pitchers, Johnson emphasized resilience and adaptation. He recently shared insights with rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who has had a strong season with 92 innings across 15 starts, hitting the 100-pitch mark seven times, never exceeding 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. He continued, "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
As baseball evolves, Johnson has also expressed support for modern innovations like the pitch clock, which aims 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," Johnson commented. This perspective underscores his belief in maintaining the spirit and pace of the game while adapting to new norms.
Randy Johnson's journey from the mound to his post-retirement endeavors illustrates the multi-faceted nature of a sports legend. His legacy is not solely defined by his time on the field but also by his ongoing contributions to communities and young athletes, serving as a lasting inspiration to many.