Randy Johnson’s Number to be Retired by Seattle Mariners in May 2026
Table of Contents
A celebration of a pitching legend is set for Seattle, as the Mariners will officially retire Randy Johnson’s No. 51 jersey on May 2, 2026, recognizing his significant contributions to the franchise. The retirement ceremony will take place before the Mariners’ game against the Kansas City Royals, scheduled for 6:40 pm PT.
The Mariners announced plans to retire Johnson’s number earlier, but the date was finalized with the release of the team’s 2026 promotional calendar. This honor places Johnson among an elite group of Mariners legends, joining Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 24), Edgar Martínez (No. 11), and Ichiro Suzuki (No. 51), as well as Jackie Robinson (No. 42), whose number is retired league-wide.
A Symbolic Number
While the number itself didn’t initially hold special significance, Johnson reflected on its eventual meaning. “There was never any meaning to me in wearing No. 51,” he stated. “It’s like over time, I think when you wear it for most of your career, and I played 22 years in the big leagues and was No. 51, I guess that’s how you’re recognized, in some ways, by the fans, and that number becomes kind of symbolic with your identity.”
Blossoming in Seattle
Although Johnson’s Hall of Fame plaque depicts him in an Arizona Diamondbacks cap, acknowledging his later success with that team, it was in Seattle where he truly emerged as a dominant force. He arrived in 1989 via a significant trade with the Montreal Expos, a transaction still considered one of the largest in Mariners franchise history.
His breakout season came in 1993, when he posted a 19-8 record with a 3.24 ERA and recorded his first of six seasons with 300 or more strikeouts. Johnson was also a pivotal figure in the memorable 1995 season, a turning point for the franchise. “There weren’t a lot of expectations in Seattle at the time,” Johnson recalled. “We hadn’t finished above .500 up to that point, so there were a lot of growing pains, and we all kind of came together.”
Mariners Legacy
Over his tenure with the Mariners, Johnson compiled a record of 130-74 with a 3.42 ERA, completing 51 games and striking out 2,162 batters in 274 appearances (266 starts). He currently ranks second in franchise strikeouts and third in wins, starts, and innings pitched.
Johnson was previously inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012 and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, the same year the Diamondbacks retired his number. He concluded his 22-year career after the 2009 season, having also played for the Astros, Yankees, and Giants.
To further celebrate Johnson’s career, the Mariners will host “Randy Johnson’s ‘80s Jersey Night” presented by T-Mobile on May 1, 2026, offering special jerseys to the first 20,000 fans. This event adds another layer to the festivities honoring a true Mariners icon.
