Randy Johnson: Life After The Mound
Randy Johnson, a name synonymous with power pitching, has etched his identity prominently in the annals of baseball. Known as one of the most formidable pitchers the game has ever seen, Johnson's career is adorned with notable achievements: five Cy Young Awards, 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts on nine occasions.
Johnson retired after the 2009 baseball season, a year marking not the end but a new chapter in his storied life. "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 reflected on his transition from the mound to family life.
Champion of Service
Post-retirement, Johnson dedicated himself to personal endeavors and giving back to the community. One significant commitment was his involvement with USO tours from 2010 to 2019. "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 described his decade-long journey supporting military personnel.
This endeavor began through a friend, as Johnson shared, "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."
A Coach at Heart
Continuing his passion for baseball, Johnson also engaged in community activities. In collaboration with Sizzler, Johnson turned coach for a youth baseball team, bringing his expertise and enthusiasm to players mostly aged six to eight years old. "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 explained.
Being on the field again, albeit in a different role, was an exhilarating experience for Johnson. He enjoyed watching the young players' effort 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."
The Evolution of Pitching
Reflecting on the changing dynamics of baseball, Johnson noted the rise in elbow injuries and surgeries among pitchers 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 pointed out, highlighting the stark contrast over the years.
Johnson, who avoided major elbow issues during his illustrious career, speculated on the underlying factors. He reminisced about his own era where pitchers would throw significantly more innings and pitches per game without as many 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."
Moreover, Johnson emphasized the mental and physical conditioning required to withstand such a demanding sport. "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 asserted, suggesting a straightforward yet demanding regimen for aspiring pitchers.
Guiding the Next Generation
Aside from coaching youth teams, Johnson also shared his vast knowledge with up-and-coming talent, such as rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Johnson's advice is rooted in his own experiences and wisdom, "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."
Skenes, in his current season, has shown promise, logging 92 innings across 15 starts and hitting the 100-pitch mark seven times without exceeding 107 pitches in a single game. The rookie undoubtedly benefits from Johnson's guidance, blending modern techniques with timeless wisdom.
Advocate for Efficiency
Beyond individual mentorship, Johnson supports systemic changes in the game. One such evolution is the introduction of the pitch clock, aimed at speeding up the pace of play. Johnson welcomes this development for its intended purpose, "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."
Through his post-retirement engagements, Randy Johnson continues to leave a lasting impact on the sport he loves, mentoring the next generation and shaping the future of baseball, all while cherishing the personal rewards of time spent with family and community.