In the pantheon of baseball legends, few names resonate as profoundly as Randy Johnson. Known for his towering presence on the mound and an intimidating fastball, Johnson's contributions to baseball have left an indelible mark on the sport. With an illustrious career that saw him win five Cy Young Awards, notch 303 victories, and lead the league in strikeouts nine times, Johnson’s legacy is assuredly cemented.
Johnson hung up his glove after the 2009 season, deciding it was time to redirect his life towards family and personal pursuits. "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 reflects. This transition marked a significant shift, pulling focus away from the diamond and towards a more intimate setting at home.
A New Commitment: USO Tours
While Johnson embraced family life, he also found a new avenue for his commitments—USO tours. Starting in 2010, Johnson dedicated nine years to supporting U.S. men and women in uniform, visiting them worldwide. "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 states. His involvement stemmed from a personal connection and a sense of duty. "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."
From the Mound to Mentorship
In his post-retirement years, Johnson continued to engage with baseball, albeit in a different capacity. His stint with Sizzler, where he coached a youth baseball team of players mostly between six and eight years old, stands out. "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 humorously notes. Despite the team's initial struggles, Johnson found immense joy in witnessing their growth. "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 shares.
Insights on Modern Pitching
Johnson also maintained his involvement in baseball through mentorship. Notably, he has shared valuable insights with rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, advising him on how to handle the rigors of professional baseball. Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts and hit the 100-pitch mark seven times this season, benefits from Johnson’s extensive experience. Johnson’s philosophy towards pitching endurance remains steadfast—adaptation and commitment are key. "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is," Johnson emphasizes.
Despite never suffering major elbow issues himself, Johnson is baffled by the prevalence of injuries among contemporary 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," he notes. Johnson reminisces about an era where higher pitch counts were the norm. "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."
Support for the Pitch Clock
In discussing the evolution of the game, Johnson expresses his support for the pitch clock, an innovation introduced to quicken the pace of 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 says. This endorsement underscores his belief in maintaining the sport's integrity while adapting to modern expectations.
Randy Johnson's post-retirement journey highlights his diverse interests and enduring passion for baseball. From family life and USO tours to coaching young players and mentoring future stars, Johnson continues to impact the game he once dominated. His reflections and engagements remind us why he's not just a baseball legend but also an esteemed ambassador of the sport.