Randy Johnson, The Big Unit, remains one of baseball's most enigmatic figures. Revered as a powerhouse on the mound, Johnson's legacy includes five Cy Young Awards, 303 game wins, and leading the league in strikeouts an astounding nine times. Following an illustrious career, Johnson retired after the 2009 baseball season, transitioning from the spotlight to a more subdued, personal life focused on his family and other pursuits.
“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. This sentiment underlines the athlete's desire to divert his energy from professional sports to nurturing personal relationships and exploring new interests.
Post-retirement, Johnson didn’t disappear from the public eye entirely. From 2010 to 2019, he actively participated in USO tours, showing unwavering support for American servicemen and women. “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 engagement in these tours stemmed from a personal connection. “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.”
While contributing to the community, Johnson found another way to stay connected to baseball. He participated in a promotional campaign with Sizzler, serving as a coach for a youth baseball team. The team, composed mostly of six to eight-year-olds, represented a humble blend of talent similar to 'The Bad News Bears' of the '70s. 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.” He spoke fondly of the experience: “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.”
Even after stepping away from active play, Johnson remained vocal about the physical demands and evolving nature of baseball. Known for his resilience, Johnson notably avoided major elbow issues that plague many pitchers today. He weighed in on the surge of injuries among modern pitchers: “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.” Reflecting on his era, Johnson stated, “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.”
Among his interactions with current players, Johnson shared insights with rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who has logged 92 innings across 15 starts this season, hitting the 100-pitch mark seven times while not exceeding 107 pitches in any game. Johnson emphasized the importance of personal discipline and fortitude, advising, “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 adaptation is key: “You just have to mold your body and your body needs to become accustomed to that kind of workload. That's all it is.”
In addition to his seasoned advice on pitching, Johnson expressed strong support for recent changes aimed at improving the pace of the game. The introduction of the pitch clock is one such modification he endorses. “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,” Johnson said.
From conquering the mound to coaching young talents and supporting the military, Randy Johnson’s post-retirement journey is as dynamic and impactful as his career in Major League Baseball. His ongoing contributions continue to resonate, underscoring the enduring influence of this legendary pitcher.