Former Seattle Mariners' ace and team Hall of Famer Randy Johnson continued to eviscerate prior team ownership during appearances on M's television and radio broadcasts on Tuesday night.
Johnson, who lives in Arizona, joined both ROOT Sports and Seattle Sports 710 as the M's took on the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. He was asked about having his No. 51 retired in a ceremony in 2026, and proceeded to remind people that he is frustrated with the perception that he left town in 1998 (he was traded), and he also was upset that this number retirement hadn't happened already.
This is consistent with what he told the media at large last week when the number retirement announcement was made:
Randy Johnson, in his own words:
— Brady Farkas (@RefuseToLosePod) June 2, 2025
His Opening Statement today.#TridentsUp #Mariners https://t.co/HtLq5YMXNS pic.twitter.com/OFILK7i3s7
Well, fans who love to hate the Mariners ownership groups of all eras, were delighted to see Johnson get his shots in. (John Stanton has owned the team since 2016 and did not employ Johnson. Howard Lincoln did).
Randy Johnson IRL on his way to unleash righteous fury on Howard Lincoln pic.twitter.com/k4cMC3tIaA
— Nathan Bishop (@nathan_h_b) June 11, 2025
God bless Randy Johnson and his willingness to tell you how he actually feels.
— Danny O'Neil (@dannyoneil) June 11, 2025
In a related note, Howard Lincoln was and is an absolute tool.
Randy Johnson may be retired, but he still throws absolute heat on the mic. Went full scorched earth.
— Mariners Playoff Hopeful (@MsPlayoffHope) June 11, 2025
I appreciate that the unique 51 conundrum led the Mariners to appease Randy Johnson, who has absolutely zero interest in sucking up to them in return. https://t.co/TtoOpGVS7D
— Mariner Muse (@MarinerMuse) June 11, 2025
Johnson spent parts of 10 seasons with the Mariners, going 130-74 in that time. He had been acquired in 1989 via a trade with the Montreal Expos and stayed until he was traded in 1998. He had a 3.42 lifetime ERA in Seattle, tossing 19 shutouts and 51 complete games. The most intimidating pitcher of his era, he had 2,162 strikeouts with Seattle in 1838.1 innings. He helped lead the M's to their first playoff appearance in 1995, going 18-2 and winning the American League Cy Young. He also went 20-4 in 1997.
He was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012.
The Mariners will play the Diamondbacks again on Wednesday at 12:40 p.m. PT.
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