Tuesday, 11 January, the New York Yankees held a press conference to officially announce Randy Johnson as a member of the team. The first headlines accompanying the Big Unit’s arrival to New York were negative publicity regarding Johnson’s confrontation with a television cameraman, quickly followed by an apology from Johnson.
After leaving his Manhattan hotel, Johnson was walking down the street Monday on the way to a team physical. A cameraman from WCBS-TV approached the star to get a shot and Johnson shoved the cameraman, putting up his right arm to block the camera lens, repeatedly saying, “Get out of my face.”
Johnson quickly issued an apology and made excuses for his behavior saying that “the past few days have been a bit overwhelming.” I’m sure it is really hard to deal with the $32 million contract extension for two years that the Yankees are giving him, but dealing with media attention is something any professional sports superstar should know how to handle, especially one playing in the national spotlight in New York. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory, and Randy Johnson needs to get used to it and start making a better impression for his new hometown fans.
To Johnson’s credit, he does seem to recognize the foolishness of his actions. “Come to one of the biggest media markets, one of the winningest franchises in the history of any sport, and that’s the way I enter? I’m sorry,” he said.
Johnson came to New York from Arizona in a deal that gave the Diamondbacks pitchers Javier Vasquez and Brad Hasley, catcher Dioner Navarro, and $9 million. After the Diamondbacks went 51-111 last year, finishing 42 games back in the National League West, Johnson is ready to win again.
They say if you can’t beat them, join them, but Randy Johnson is actually joining a team he can and has beat. He is 5-0 against the Yankees in the postseason with a 1.65 ERA, and he led Arizona to their World Series Championship against the Yankees in 2001. So in Johnson’s case, even though he can beat them, he decided to join them. But if you’re truly in it to win the most games and have the best shot at a World Series year after year (although it pains me to say it) there is no better choice than the Yankees. They have 26 World Series Titles, have been in every postseason for the last ten years, and they have an owner who is willing to spend the big bucks to get whatever his team needs to continue to win.
But with the opportunity to play for George Steinbrenner’s team, also comes the necessary adjustment to playing in New York City, which Johnson is obviously yet to master. Welcome to the Big Apple Big Unit.