Randy Johnson: From the Mound to Mentorship
Randy Johnson stands as one of baseball's most formidable pitchers, a legend that transcends generations. Known best for his overpowering fastball and intimidating presence on the mound, Johnson's illustrious career is studded with accolades. Over 22 seasons, he collected five Cy Young Awards, amassed 303 game wins, and led the league in strikeouts nine times, establishing himself as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Johnson’s dominance on the mound is even more impressive considering he managed to avoid significant elbow injuries, a feat for any pitcher over such a long career.
Johnson retired after the 2009 baseball season. Reflecting on his career and subsequent retirement, he 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." Retirement for Johnson wasn't about slowing down but rather redirecting his focus. Alongside family commitments, he found new ways to contribute to the community and support the troops.
From 2010 to 2019, Johnson actively participated in USO tours, a commitment that took him around the world to support U.S. military personnel. He explained, "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’s involvement was sparked by a friend's suggestion, and his dedication to the cause was unwavering. "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," he shared.
Beyond his work with the USO, Johnson took on unique opportunities that allowed him to stay connected to the game he loves. In a heartwarming promotional campaign with Sizzler, Johnson found himself coaching a youth baseball team consisting mostly of players between six and eight years old. The experience was reminiscent of the classic film "The Bad News Bears," with Johnson humorously likening his role to that of Walter Matthau. "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 said. Despite the team's initial struggles, Johnson found immense satisfaction in their growth and camaraderie. "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 reflected.
Randy Johnson's post-retirement life has also seen him sharing wisdom with the new generation of pitchers. One such protégé is rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts this season. Johnson has been keen to provide Skenes with guidance to help him navigate his burgeoning career. His advice stresses the importance of resilience and adaptation. "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 counseled Skenes. Johnson's emphasis on workload management comes from an era where pitchers routinely threw 250-260 innings and 135 pitches a game. He reminisced, "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." His belief is simple: "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
Despite these insights, Johnson is also a proponent of modern advancements like the pitch clock, introduced 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 stated, highlighting how evolving rules can benefit both players and fans by keeping the game engaging and dynamic.
Randy Johnson’s journey from a legendary career on the mound to his diverse undertakings post-retirement exemplifies his multifaceted persona. Whether through supporting military personnel, coaching young players, or mentoring the next generation of pitchers, Johnson's contributions to baseball and beyond continue to make an indelible impact.