Randy Johnson: Post-Retirement Pursuits and Reflections on Today's Game
Randy Johnson, revered as one of the most formidable pitchers in baseball history, left an indelible mark on the sport through his illustrious career. Garnering five Cy Young Awards, achieving 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts nine times, Johnson's legacy was firmly established by the time he retired after the 2009 season. Since then, Johnson has devoted his life to family and personal ventures, while continuing to influence the game in various capacities.
Following retirement, Johnson dedicated much of his time to his family. He reflected on this transition, saying, "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." Alongside family life, Johnson's commitment extended to several meaningful projects and engagements.
From 2010 to 2019, Johnson participated in USO tours, supporting U.S. military personnel around the globe. "The one commitment I did have was when I got really involved in the USO tours," Johnson noted. "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." This involvement originated from a proposal by a friend who was involved in organizing celebrity tours for the USO. Johnson eagerly accepted, seizing the opportunity to give back. "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 explained.
In addition to his USO contributions, Johnson also took part in an engaging promotional campaign with Sizzler, where he coached a youth baseball team. The team, composed mostly of players between six and eight years old, greatly benefited from Johnson's experience and guidance. Reflecting on this initiative, Johnson compared himself to a famous character from a beloved 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 cherished the experience, stating, "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."
Despite the absence of major elbow issues during his career, Johnson has observed a worrying rise in injuries among modern pitchers. Remarking on the prevalence of Tommy John surgeries today, he stated, "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 pointed out that pitchers in his time often endured grueling workloads: "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 is not just a spectator in the evolution of the sport; he actively shares his insights and wisdom. He recently provided guidance to rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts this season. Johnson's advice emphasized the importance of resilience and self-advocacy: "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 further elaborated on the need for pitchers to adapt to their workloads: "You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is."
Regarding the ongoing changes in baseball, Johnson expressed his support for the introduction of the pitch clock, 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 affirmed.
Randy Johnson's post-retirement journey reflects a blend of personal fulfillment and continued dedication to baseball. His active involvement in supporting military personnel, mentoring young athletes, and commenting on the state of modern baseball underscores his enduring connection to the sport. Despite stepping away from the pitcher's mound, Johnson remains a significant figure in the baseball community, offering invaluable insights and guidance to the next generation of players.