By Paul L. Taylor Posted on

Mariners do right by Randy Johnson with statue to honor his legacy

It remains a shame Randy Johnson didn’t spend more of his career with the Mariners, but he will get a well-deserved statue at T-Mobile Park.

Saturday was a special evening at the ballpark, as the Mariners retired Randy Johnson’s number 51, but the organization wasn’t done celebrating arguably the best pitcher in franchise history. He’s also going to be honored with a statue at T-Mobile Park in 2027.

The surprise announcement was made during Johnson’s pregame retirement ceremony, by Mariners Chairman & Managing Partner John Stanton. In an emotional moment for everyone inside the ballpark, Stanton said:

“Randy, on behalf of the Seattle Mariners organization, your teammates, and generations of fans—thank you for your talent, your passion, your competitiveness, and your unforgettable impact on this franchise. Your legacy will forever tower over this ballpark. In your honor, in 2027 the Mariners will erect a statue honoring your history with the team.”

A statue befitting another Mariners legend

Johnson will join an illustrious group of Mariners legends in being immortalized with a statue at T-Mobile Park, including Dave Niehaus, Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki. As previously announced, Mike Cameron and Mark McLemore will be getting a statue of them raising the American flag in 2001, with the ceremony taking place late on this season before the game versus the Athletics on Sept. 3.

The debate understandably lives on as to if Johnson or Félix Hernández is the best pitcher in Mariners history? For his part, Johnson is number one with fewest hits allowed and most strikeouts per nine innings, most shutouts, most adjusted pitching wins and adjusted ERA+, while also being tied with Hernández, James Paxton and Hisashi Iwakuma on a 3.42 ERA.

Johnson was a monster during his time in Seattle, more than living up to his nickname of the “Big Unit” as he was named an All-Star five times, was a four-time strikeout leader and won his first Cy Young in 1995. Perhaps his best achievement during his time in Seattle was pitching a no-hitter June 2, 1990, versus the Tigers, which doubled as the first no-hitter in Mariners history.

In all for the Mariners, Johnson recorded a 130–74 record with two saves, a 3.42 ERA (698 ER, 1838.1 IP) and 51 complete games, while also striking out 2,162 in 274 games (266 starts). He went on to continue a stunning career after he was traded away from Seattle in 1998, including going on to compile four more Cy Young awards. He also became a World Series champion in 2001, when he was also named co-World Series MVP with Curt Schilling after the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees.

In total Johnson played 22 Major League seasons and produced a 303-166 record in 618 games which included 603 starts, recording a 103.5 WAR, 3.29 ERA, 135 ERA+, 3.19 FIP and 1.171 WHIP. He’s one of just four pitchers in MLB history with at least 300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts, while also pitching a perfect game on May 18 in 2004, against the Braves.

Randy Johnson will never be forgotten in Seattle

Johnson’s number 51 now hangs proudly right next to Ichiro’s own 51 beyond the center-field wall, along with Jackie Robinson’s 42, Griffey’s 24 and Martinez’s 11. Along with the statue announcement this all seems like a fitting conclusion for the 10-time All-Star and nine-time MLB strikeout leader, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Johnson was extremely gracious during his speech on Saturday ahead of the second of a three-game series against the Royals. And while being traded away will always be a regret for all concerned, he said:

“Who can forget about the SuperSonics, Mount Rainier, Rainier beer and the music scene? I learned a lot here, on and off the field. And I will always be thankful for my time playing here.”

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography & Mazvita Maraire

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