Randy Johnson: From Diamond Dominance to Dedicated Mentor
Randy Johnson stands tall in the annals of baseball history as one of the sport's most formidable pitchers. With an illustrious career marked by five Cy Young Awards and 303 game wins, Johnson etched his name in the record books, leading the league in strikeouts an astounding nine times. Johnson's career, which saw him avoid the plague of major elbow issues, concluded in 2009. Post-retirement, he shifted his focus to family and personal endeavors, seeking to reclaim the time devoted to his baseball career.
"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 reflected, emphasizing his desire to prioritize his home life after years on the road.
However, Johnson's retirement did not mark the end of his impact on the world. From 2010 to 2019, he dedicated himself to supporting U.S. troops through participation in USO tours. Johnson's involvement in these tours was fueled by a heartfelt commitment to giving back to those in uniform.
"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."
During this period, Johnson also found time to share his expertise and passion for baseball in unique ways. In a promotional campaign with Sizzler, Johnson took on the role of coach for a youth baseball team. The team, composed mostly of players between six and eight years old, evoked memories of the classic 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 observed with a touch of humor. He cherished the opportunity to guide and inspire the young players, 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."
Amidst the shifting sands of modern baseball, Johnson has voiced his support for the pitch clock, an innovation designed 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 said, highlighting the positive impact of the pitch clock on the sport's tempo.
Johnson's transition from pitcher to mentor extends beyond youth baseball. He has also shared his wisdom with up-and-coming talents like rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes, who has logged 92 innings in 15 starts this season, has been closely monitored for pitch count, reaching the 100-pitch mark seven times without exceeding 107 pitches in any single game. Johnson offered Skenes candid advice and insights, reflecting on the stark differences between his era and today's game.
"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, pondering the surge in injuries among contemporary pitchers. "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 message to aspiring pitchers is clear: resilience and dedication are essential. "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 asserted. He believes in the importance of conditioning and adaptation, adding, "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 Randy Johnson continues to leave his mark on and off the field, his legacy transcends his statistics. The "Big Unit" remains a towering figure not only in the sport of baseball but also in the lives of those he has inspired and mentored throughout his remarkable journey.