Randy Johnson: Life Beyond the Mound
Randy Johnson, a name synonymous with power and precision in baseball, remains an iconic figure in the sport. Not only is he celebrated for his extraordinary pitching prowess, but Johnson's post-retirement endeavors have also left a significant mark.
Throughout his illustrious career, Johnson accumulated an impressive array of accolades. With five Cy Young Awards, 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts nine times, he established himself as one of baseball's most formidable pitchers. Remarkably, Johnson avoided major elbow issues, a common plight for many pitchers, during his career.
Johnson retired after the 2009 baseball season and turned his focus to his family and personal endeavors. "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," he shared.
One of Johnson's significant post-retirement commitments was his involvement with the USO tours. From 2010 to 2019, Johnson participated in these tours to support American troops worldwide. "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 said. Johnson's participation was inspired by a friend in charge of recruiting high-profile athletes for the tours. "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," he recalled.
Simultaneously, Johnson engaged with the youth, leveraging his experience in a promotional campaign with Sizzler where he coached a youth baseball team. The team, comprised mostly of players between six and eight years old, was reminiscent of the underdog spirit portrayed in classic films. "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 noted. His time with the children was filled with moments of joy and camaraderie. "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 reflected.
Johnson's insights into the game extend to modern baseball dynamics. He has shared valuable advice with up-and-coming athletes, including rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes, who logged 92 innings across 15 starts in a season, has demonstrated impressive workloads, hitting the 100-pitch mark seven times without throwing more than 107 pitches in a single game. Johnson emphasized the need for adapting to the rigor of professional sports. "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is," he advised.
The ever-evolving nature of baseball has seen a rise in pitching-related injuries, a situation Johnson finds perplexing. "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 mentioned. Reflecting on his era, he said, "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 has also voiced his support for the pitch clock in modern baseball, a measure 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 stated, underscoring the importance of maintaining a fast-paced and engaging experience for fans.
Randy Johnson's journey from a record-setting pitcher to a dedicated family man and mentor illustrates a life committed to excellence both on and off the field. His contributions continue to inspire the next generation of baseball players, ensuring his legacy endures in the world of sports.