Randy Johnson: From the Mound to Mentorship
Known as one of baseball's most formidable pitchers, Randy Johnson's legacy in the sport is undisputed. With accolades that include five Cy Young Awards, 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts nine times, Johnson's career is a testament to his extraordinary talent and resilience.
Johnson retired after the 2009 baseball season, choosing to shift his focus from the mound to his family and personal endeavors. Reflecting on his decision, Johnson remarked, "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."
Post-Retirement Dedication to USO Tours
Even in retirement, Johnson's spirit of giving back remained strong. From 2010 to 2019, he participated in USO tours, supporting American troops around the world. His involvement in these tours came about through a personal connection. "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 said. He added, "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."
Coaching the Next Generation
In addition to his work with the USO, Johnson also took part in a promotional campaign with Sizzler, where he coached a youth baseball team composed mostly of players between six and eight years old. Describing 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 into Modern Baseball
Despite avoiding major elbow issues during his career, Johnson has observed a significant increase in 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 noted. Expressing his disbelief at the uptick in injuries, he added, "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."
Johnson's perspective on the evolving nature of the game extends to the pitch clock implemented to speed 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, supporting the initiative to make games more dynamic and engaging for fans.
Mentoring the Future Stars
Johnson’s role as a mentor extends to sharing wisdom with rising stars like rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts this season and has hit the 100-pitch mark seven times without exceeding 107 pitches in a single game, benefitted from Johnson's advice. Emphasizing the importance of stepping up, Johnson shared, "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 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."
Randy Johnson's post-retirement journey illustrates that his contributions to baseball and beyond continue to be significant. Whether through supporting troops overseas, mentoring young talent, or advocating for the health and evolution of the game, Johnson remains a towering figure in the world of sports. His legacy is not merely confined to his achievements on the field but encompasses a broader impact on the community and the future of baseball.