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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Pitching Legend Randy Johnson On Baseball, Retirement And Watches

KB: Any interest in a return to the game?

RJ: When the time comes. I have four kids and I didn’t see them grow up. I had opportunities to be a coach when I retired. I had opportunities to work for ESPN. I’m very appreciative of baseball, but I am not a lifer. The game will be there when I am ready to get back into it.

KB: When did your interest in watches begin?

RJ: I’ve always enjoyed watches. I got to visit various watch boutiques because of the cities I visited while playing baseball. I was always interested in visiting the nicer boutiques and looking at the watches I enjoyed wearing. I’ve been a Ulysse Nardin wearer long before our relationship started. I’m honored to be asked to be a part of the company.

...KB: You played during the steroid era. Do you think steroids still a problem in the game today?

RJ: I don’t know. I think baseball has regulated it pretty well. I don’t think it is something that is out of control like maybe it once was. But I don’t follow as much because of the interests I have outside of the game now. Before the World Series and playoffs started, I probably watched two or three games and those were not even in their entirety.

I was so focused on baseball while I was doing it, and now that I have the opportunity to do other things, I am that focused on those things. I think baseball is heading in the right direction. Fans have come out in droves. I think the game is on top of the world right now.

Thanks to drew.

Repoz Posted: November 14, 2012 at 05:32 PM | 31 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: history

Reader Comments and Retorts

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Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

   1. Yastrzemski in left. Posted: November 14, 2012 at 06:28 PM (#4302888)
Unit Big he is.
   2. Delino DeShields & Yarnell Posted: November 14, 2012 at 06:42 PM (#4302905)
Bet anything Bernal shows up here and calls the watch 'clownish'.
   3. The Ghost of Sox Fans Past Posted: November 14, 2012 at 08:07 PM (#4302957)
All I can think of about wearing a super expensive watch is getting mugged.
   4. Dock Ellis on Acid Posted: November 14, 2012 at 09:26 PM (#4302997)
It's odd that Randy Johnson has his own $15,000 watch, like how Derek Jeter has his own $30 cologne.
   5. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: November 14, 2012 at 09:59 PM (#4303009)
Look, Randy, if you want to replace Bob Feller someday as the former great pitcher turned cranky old man, you're going to need to step up your game. These reasonable, well thought out opinions aren't going to cut it. Understood?
   6. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: November 14, 2012 at 10:03 PM (#4303013)
It's odd that Randy Johnson has his own $15,000 watch, like how Derek Jeter has his own $30 cologne.

He puts them in the gift baskets for his conquests, along with the "RJ" / "BU" monogrammed fitted cap, the Advanced Auto Parts coupon and the cans of vienna sausages.
   7. Jarrod HypnerotomachiaPoliphili(Teddy F. Ballgame) Posted: November 14, 2012 at 10:37 PM (#4303033)
Randy Johnson never got his due as a pitchman/celebrity/star/whatever. Based just on pitching style (Ks! Near-100mph fastball! Scary Mr. Snappy Slider!) and and success (Cys! World Series reliever!) he should have been huge, but a cantankerous personality and a generally gawky appearance seem to have held him back. Not that he necessarily wanted that kind of acclaim, of course.

Imagine if he'd had a sense of humor, though. He'd be like a (more) talented Manute Bol.
   8. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: November 14, 2012 at 11:28 PM (#4303061)
There's a small jewelry shop in downtown Milwaukee, and I remember seeing a pic of Randy Johnson w/ the owner on the wall. I always found that extremely random, this makes sense now.

Johnson was famously cranky when he was scheduled to pitch, unapproachable even.
   9. Walt Davis Posted: November 14, 2012 at 11:58 PM (#4303076)
A haircut, a trim of the facial hair, a nice suit -- kinda looks like a normal guy not some guy off skid row.
   10. Eric P. Posted: November 15, 2012 at 01:53 AM (#4303143)
   11. BrianBrianson Posted: November 15, 2012 at 04:59 AM (#4303175)
All I can think of about wearing a super expensive watch is getting mugged.


Then you're probably not a six foot ten professional athlete.
   12. Justin T is expanding the aperture of awareness Posted: November 15, 2012 at 09:56 AM (#4303222)
A haircut, a trim of the facial hair, a nice suit -- kinda looks like a normal guy not some guy off skid row.

It probably helps that the photo is from the chest up. You can't fix gangly as ####.
   13. Booey Posted: November 15, 2012 at 12:11 PM (#4303327)
A haircut, a trim of the facial hair, a nice suit -- kinda looks like a normal guy not some guy off skid row.


But part of what made him so awesome was that he rocked the 'stache well after it had gone out of style! And his HOF plaque better be sporting the mullet he had in his Seattle days...
   14. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish Posted: November 15, 2012 at 01:08 PM (#4303363)
Look, Randy, if you want to replace Bob Feller someday as the former great pitcher turned cranky old man, you're going to need to step up your game. These reasonable, well thought out opinions aren't going to cut it. Understood?

It'll be fun watching him pitch in the 2053 Hall of Fame Game.
   15. Random Transaction Generator Posted: November 15, 2012 at 01:10 PM (#4303364)
In his prime, Randy Johnson was easily the ugliest player in the major leagues.
   16. Dingbat_Charlie Posted: November 15, 2012 at 01:33 PM (#4303382)
A buddy and I had a long running debate on whom it would be more horrible to be, um, violated by: Johnson or Mo Vaughn. Is there a stat for that?

edit: added dumb joke.
   17. SoSH U at work Posted: November 15, 2012 at 03:10 PM (#4303456)
In his prime, Randy Johnson was easily the ugliest player in the major leagues.


Did he have a handsome decline phase?

   18. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: November 15, 2012 at 03:23 PM (#4303464)
In his prime, Randy Johnson was easily the ugliest player in the major leagues.


Willie McGee is on the All-Goblin team.
   19. Swoboda is freedom Posted: November 15, 2012 at 03:27 PM (#4303467)
It's odd that Randy Johnson has his own $15,000 watch

Why? He is ugly enough to stop a clock.
   20. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: November 15, 2012 at 03:31 PM (#4303471)
I think Randy Johnson is cute, and there's no doubt that the kids love him.
   21. Everybody Loves Tyrus Raymond Posted: November 15, 2012 at 04:50 PM (#4303580)
A buddy and I had a long running debate on whom it would be more horrible to be, um, violated by: Johnson or Mo Vaughn. Is there a stat for that?


Do you remember the loud, popping sound it made when Randy Johnson pitches?
   22. Random Transaction Generator Posted: November 15, 2012 at 04:53 PM (#4303587)
Did he have a handsome decline phase?


According to #10, it would seem that it happened after he retired.
   23. Heinie Mantush (Krusty) Posted: November 15, 2012 at 05:08 PM (#4303607)
You cannot discuss the All-Goblin team without mentioning Don Mossi.
   24. Dingbat_Charlie Posted: November 15, 2012 at 05:22 PM (#4303622)
Do you remember the loud, popping sound it made when Randy Johnson pitches?

The debate went on for years so many points and count-arguments were raised, but I don't recall this one. It's good. I think my strongest argument (I was pro-Johnson) was the hideous prospect of his scraggly beard dangling down and tickling your forehead. Plus, of course, his nickname.
   25. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: November 15, 2012 at 05:34 PM (#4303638)
You and your friend need a hobby. Besides baseball. And porn.
   26. Booey Posted: November 15, 2012 at 06:14 PM (#4303685)
You and your friend need a hobby. Besides baseball. And porn.

I think that only counts as 1 hobby, since apparently they're combining the two together...
   27. Dingbat_Charlie Posted: November 15, 2012 at 06:32 PM (#4303701)
The debate ran through our college and post-undergrad slacker years in mid-to-late 90's. I wasn't really watching much porn (maybe should've been), but otherwise, yeah.
   28. Blubaldo Jimenez (OMJ) Posted: November 15, 2012 at 06:34 PM (#4303704)
Randy Johnson never got his due as a pitchman/celebrity/star/whatever. Based just on pitching style (Ks! Near-100mph fastball! Scary Mr. Snappy Slider!) and and success (Cys! World Series reliever!) he should have been huge, but a cantankerous personality and a generally gawky appearance seem to have held him back. Not that he necessarily wanted that kind of acclaim, of course.

Imagine if he'd had a sense of humor, though. He'd be like a (more) talented Manute Bol.


Pop "Randy Johnson Commercial" into youtube, you will find plenty of endorsements, and humor.
   29. Dock Ellis on Acid Posted: November 15, 2012 at 08:19 PM (#4303793)
Randy Johnson makes use of his twitter. He does have a sense of humor, and trades a lot of tweets with his fans to the point it seems overbearing because he's clogging up your twitter feed lol'ing at his fan's jokes. He's accessible and surprisingly friendly. Maybe life after baseball has mellowed him out. He doesn't seem like the grouch I remember from his playing days.
   30. Walt Davis Posted: November 16, 2012 at 12:02 AM (#4303988)
Is there a stat for that?

Pancake flops
   31. McCoy Wilfong for Money Posted: November 16, 2012 at 12:17 AM (#4303998)
I like watches but unfortunately the style of watches I like are ludicrously expensive. I really have no desire to spend $500, $1,000, $1,500 or more for something that is basically a decoration for your wrist. Having said that I firmly believe that no man should wear a cheap looking watch on their wrist, not in this day and age.

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