Randy Johnson: A Legacy on the Mound and Beyond
Randy Johnson, known as one of baseball's most formidable pitchers, has carved out a legacy that extends well beyond the confines of a baseball diamond. Johnson's accolades during his illustrious career include five Cy Young Awards, 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts nine times, firmly establishing his place in the annals of baseball history.
Reflecting on his time in the big leagues, Johnson 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." Post-retirement, Johnson dedicated himself to his family and personal endeavors, but his contributions did not end there.
Beyond Baseball: Commitment to USO Tours
Johnson's sense of duty led him to participate in USO tours from 2010 to 2019, a testament to his dedication to supporting military personnel. "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. His involvement stemmed from a personal connection, as he recalled, "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 Youth: A New Chapter
In addition to his USO engagements, Johnson took on a promotional campaign with Sizzler, where he coached a youth baseball team primarily made up of children between six and eight years old. The experience was reminiscent of the classic film "The Bad News Bears." Johnson humorously noted, "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." Despite the team's struggles, Johnson found joy in their journey, reflecting, "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 and Advice: Helping the Next Generation
Johnson has also taken the time to share his wealth of knowledge with upcoming talents, including rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes has demonstrated promise, logging 92 innings across 15 starts this season, hitting the 100-pitch mark seven times, and not exceeding 107 pitches in a single game. Johnson's advice to young pitchers emphasizes 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 advised. "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
The Evolution of Pitching and Modern Game Dynamics
Reflecting on the current state of the game, Johnson noted the increase in injuries among pitchers today compared to his era. "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 observed. Johnson attributes this to differing pitching practices, highlighting, "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 also expressed support for the pitch clock in modern baseball, aimed at speeding 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," he commented.
Randy Johnson's story is one of unparalleled athletic prowess and a commitment to service and mentoring. As he continues to inspire both young athletes and veterans alike, Johnson's impact on the game and beyond remains indelible.