Mariners will announce the retirement of Randy Johnson’s number 51 on May 2

SEATTLE.– The Seattle Mariners announced that they will officially retire the number 51 of the legendary pitcher Randy Johnson during a special ceremony that will take place on May 2, 2026, at T-Mobile Park. The event will be held before the game scheduled for 6:40 p.m. (PT) against the Kansas City Royals.

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With this distinction, Johnson will become the fifth player in franchise history whose number is retired, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (24), Edgar Martínez (11), Ichiro Suzuki (51) and the immortal Jackie Robinson (42), the latter retired in all MLB teams. As part of the celebration, the club will also hold the “Randy Johnson 80s Jersey Night” on May 1st, where the first 20,000 fans will receive a commemorative jersey, in an activity presented by T-Mobile. The announcement completes the original decision disclosed in June, when the Mariners communicated their intention to honor the Hall of Fame member in the 2026 season, coinciding with the presentation of the team’s promotional calendar.

The Legacy of “The Great Unity” in Seattle

Randy Johnson, one of the most dominant pitchers of all time, solidified his figure in Seattle since his arrival in 1989 from the Montreal Expos. With the Mariners he shone in a particular way between 1993 and 1998, standing out for his ability to strike out rivals and his imposing presence on the mound. With Seattle, he registered:

• Record of 130-74
• Effectiveness of 3.42
• 51 complete games
• 2,162 strikeouts in 274 encounters (266 starts)

His 1993 season and his crucial role in the historic 1995 campaign marked a before and after in the franchise, contributing to the competitive growth of the Mariners in the 90s. Although he achieved even greater success with the Diamondbacks — the team with which he appears on his Hall of Fame plaque — Johnson acknowledges that his sporting identity and his projection as one of the best left-handers in history were solidified in Seattle.

Statements from the honoree

“There was never a special meaning in using the number 51,” Johnson commented months ago. “But when you wear it for most of your career, it becomes part of your identity. For the fans, that number says who you are.”

A historic career

Randy Johnson, retired after the 2009 season, also pitched for the Expos, Astros, Diamondbacks, Yankees and Giants. He was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 2015, the same year that Arizona also retired his number 51. The retirement of his jersey by Seattle solidifies his place as one of the most influential figures in the history of the franchise and of modern baseball.