“Seattle has always been a big part of my family and my career, and it always will be,” Johnson said.
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners announced plans Saturday to erect a statue of Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson outside T-Mobile Park during his No. 51 retirement ceremony.
Club chairman John Stanton revealed the plan during a pregame speech, followed by an 11-minute address from Johnson, who reflected on his time in Seattle.
“Seattle has always been a big part of my family and my career, and it always will be,” Johnson said.
Johnson became the latest Mariners legend set to be honored with a statue at the ballpark, joining Dave Niehaus, Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki.
Stanton credited Johnson with elevating the franchise during its rise in the 1990s.
“He changed the trajectory of this franchise and fully put Seattle onto the national baseball map,” Stanton said.
Johnson spent 10 seasons with the Mariners, the most of his 22-year career, compiling a 130-74 record with a 3.42 ERA and 2,162 strikeouts. He remains among the franchise leaders in several categories, including strikeouts and wins.
During the ceremony, Johnson also acknowledged Ichiro Suzuki, who wore No. 51 after requesting the number in a letter in 2001.
“I am grateful and honored that there’s room for another No. 51 to be retired,” Johnson said. “One number, two players — representing one team.”
During the ceremony, Johnson was flanked by every living member of the 11-man group of the franchise’s Hall of Fame, other than fellow southpaw Jamie Moyer and former manager Lou Piniella. Both sent in congratulatory videos that were shared on the scoreboard.
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