The Seattle Mariners are set to honor one of baseball’s most intimidating pitchers, Randy Johnson, by retiring his iconic No. 51 jersey on May 2, 2026. This milestone will cement Johnson’s legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest players.
He’ll join an elite group of Mariners legends who made a huge impact both statistically and culturally. Johnson’s decade in Seattle shaped not only his own career but also the team’s very survival in the Pacific Northwest.
For Mariners fans, this celebration feels like a moment of real pride.
Randy Johnson’s Historic Impact on the Mariners
Johnson will become just the fifth player in team history to have his number retired. He joins Ken Griffey Jr. (24), Edgar Martinez (11), Ichiro Suzuki (51), and Jackie Robinson’s universally retired No. 42.
This isn’t just a ceremonial gesture—it’s a lasting tribute to a pitcher who changed the franchise’s fate. Johnson really did transform the Mariners.
Dominance on the Mound
Over 10 seasons in Seattle, the towering left-hander put up a 130–74 record and a 3.42 ERA. He built his Mariners career on intimidating velocity, a wicked slider, and a relentless drive to win.
He debuted in 1988 with the Montreal Expos, but the 1989 trade to Seattle opened the door for greatness. Early on, Johnson struggled with control.
By 1993, though, he’d become one of the most feared arms in baseball. That year’s 19–8 record and 3.24 ERA kicked off a stretch where he racked up more than 300 strikeouts in six different seasons—a feat almost nobody else can claim.
The Turning Point: The 1995 Season
In 1995, Johnson put together one of his best years ever, going 18–2 with a 2.48 ERA and winning his first of five Cy Young Awards. His dominance that season pushed the Mariners to the American League Championship Series and electrified the fan base.
That year didn’t just boost his own résumé—it helped save the team’s future in Seattle. Baseball historians still point to 1995 as a “save the franchise” moment.
From Seattle to Legendary Heights
The Mariners traded Johnson to the Houston Astros in 1998. He immediately delivered an astonishing half-season performance there.
He then reached new heights with the Arizona Diamondbacks, winning four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1999 to 2002. He led the team to a dramatic win in the 2001 World Series.
With a 3.29 career ERA and 4,875 strikeouts—second only to Nolan Ryan—Johnson’s place among baseball’s greats is secure.
Career Achievements and Honors
Johnson’s résumé speaks for itself:
- 303 career wins over 22 seasons
- Five-time Cy Young Award winner
- 10 All-Star selections
- 4,875 career strikeouts—second all-time
- World Series MVP in 2001
- Induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015
The Mariners inducted him into their franchise Hall of Fame over a decade ago. The Arizona Diamondbacks also retired Johnson’s No. 51 in 2015, highlighting his importance to more than one franchise.
Looking Ahead to May 2, 2026
As Johnson nears his 63rd birthday, the Mariners’ ceremony promises some real emotion for fans, teammates, and the baseball world. T-Mobile Park will be packed, and the echoes of those roaring 1990s crowds will fill the air.
The franchise isn’t just honoring one of its greatest players—they’re celebrating one of the most impactful pitchers the game’s ever seen. Should be quite a night, honestly.
A Legacy Etched in Mariners History
Randy Johnson’s journey started with wild pitches and raw talent. He grew from a hard-throwing lefty with control issues into one of baseball’s most intimidating aces.
Seattle meant more than just a stop on his way up. It’s where “The Big Unit” truly became a name everyone knew.
When the No. 51 goes up alongside Griffey, Martinez, Ichiro, and Robinson, it’ll remind everyone of the days when Johnson’s dominance shaped Mariners baseball. That number isn’t just a symbol—it’s a piece of the team’s soul.
For Mariners fans and baseball historians, May 2, 2026 is circled on the calendar. It’s a day to cheer for a living legend, remembering the fastball and slider that left hitters shaking their heads from 60 feet, six inches away.
Here is the source article for this story: Seattle Mariners will retire Randy Johnson’s No. 51 during 2026 season
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