Mariners to Retire Randy Johnson’s No. 51 in 2026 Season

The Seattle Mariners are gearing up to honor one of baseball’s true legends, Randy Johnson. They’ll retire his iconic No. 51 jersey during a special pregame ceremony on May 2, 2026.

This moment’s been a long time coming. Johnson’s impact on the Mariners—and honestly, the whole sport—runs deep.

He dominated hitters through the ’90s and helped lead Seattle to one of its most unforgettable seasons. With this tribute, Johnson’s number will hang forever in the rafters at T-Mobile Park.

A Historic Addition to the Mariners’ Retired Numbers

Seattle’s announcement makes Johnson just the fifth player in team history to have his number retired. That’s a pretty exclusive group.

His No. 51 will join:

• Ken Griffey Jr. (24)
• Edgar Martinez (11)
• Ichiro Suzuki (51)
• Jackie Robinson’s universally retired No. 42

Two Legends Sharing No. 51

Here’s something unusual—Johnson’s number is already retired in Seattle for Ichiro Suzuki. Now, the Mariners will honor two legends under the same digits.

It’s rare, but it just shows how much both men meant to the team, even if they played in different eras.

Dominance in the 1990s

Johnson spent ten wild seasons in Seattle. He racked up a 130-74 record and a 3.42 ERA, becoming one of the most intimidating pitchers around.

He really broke out in 1993, putting up a 19-8 record with a 3.24 ERA. That kicked off a six-year stretch where he struck out more than 300 batters each season—just a staggering run.

The 1995 Season That Changed Seattle Baseball

Johnson’s most unforgettable season with the Mariners came in 1995. He went 18-2 with a 2.48 ERA and grabbed his first Cy Young Award.

He powered Seattle through an incredible playoff run that year. That campaign became a rallying point for the city and helped secure funding for Seattle’s new ballpark—keeping Major League Baseball in the Pacific Northwest.

Beyond Seattle: Johnson’s Continued Greatness

After the Mariners traded him to Houston in 1998, Johnson took things to another level with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He won four straight Cy Young Awards from 1999 to 2002.

He also played a huge role in Arizona’s 2001 World Series win, delivering one of the most clutch pitching performances postseason baseball has ever seen.

Career Achievements That Stand the Test of Time

In his 22-year career, Johnson built a resume that’s almost impossible to match. The numbers speak for themselves:

• 303 wins, 166 losses
• Career ERA of 3.29
• 4,875 strikeouts—second only to Nolan Ryan
• 10 All-Star selections

Honors and Legacy

People haven’t stopped celebrating Johnson’s career. He entered the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

The Arizona Diamondbacks also retired his No. 51 that same year. Seems fitting, right?

A Ceremony Worth Waiting For

As the Mariners gear up for the May 2026 celebration, fans can expect a moment that doubles as a time capsule from the franchise’s breakout years in the 1990s.

Johnson’s retired number will remind everyone of how much he shaped Mariners baseball. It’s hard to overstate his impact—he turned the team into something fierce, something people had to take seriously.

From his blistering fastballs to those clutch postseason wins, Randy Johnson’s time in Seattle was truly legendary. When the team lifts his jersey to the rafters, it’ll honor his wild achievements and, hopefully, light a fire in future Mariners to chase greatness themselves.

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