Randy Johnson: From the Mound to Mentorship and Beyond
Randy Johnson remains a towering figure in baseball history, known for his remarkable achievements and his larger-than-life presence on the mound. With five Cy Young Awards, 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts nine times, Johnson’s legendary career cemented him as one of baseball's most formidable pitchers.
Johnson retired from professional baseball after the 2009 season, deciding it was time to allocate more time to his family and personal pursuits. Reflecting on this transition, he 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.”
Not one to completely retreat from the public sphere, Johnson found a new passion in supporting the United Service Organizations. Between 2010 and 2019, he dedicated his time to participating in USO tours, an endeavor that allowed him to travel the world and provide support to the U.S. military. "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 shared. This unique opportunity arose thanks to a friend's suggestion, to which Johnson responded enthusiastically, “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."
Beyond his charity work, Johnson also took part in a promotional campaign for Sizzler, where he coached a youth baseball team. Describing the experience, Johnson likened it to a classic baseball movie, "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 found joy in witnessing the young players' dedication and enthusiasm, "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."
Throughout his career, one of Johnson’s notable achievements was avoiding significant elbow issues, a common plight for many pitchers. He observed the increasing frequency of Tommy John surgeries in today’s game and lamented, "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 pointed out that pitchers of his era often endured far greater workloads without succumbing to injuries, “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."
His words of wisdom extend to today’s aspiring pitchers, as he recently shared insights with rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts this season, has a careful pitch count, hitting the 100-pitch mark seven times and capping at 107 pitches in a single game. Johnson’s advice emphasized resilience and persistence, "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 believes that sheer conditioning plays a crucial role, stating, "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
Beyond conditioning and workload, Johnson is a supporter of recent changes in the sport meant to enhance the viewing experience. He advocates for the pitch clock, a modern rule intended to speed up 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."
Randy Johnson’s journey from a celebrated career as a pitcher to an influential mentor and supporter of charitable causes showcases his enduring commitment to the sport and to making a difference. His legacy on and off the field continues to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans alike.