Breaking News: “It’s time for us to shine again.” With those powerful words, former MLB superstar and Hall of Famer Randy Johnson — famously nicknamed “The Big Unit” — has officially announced his return to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a stunning move that’s igniting a wave of excitement across the baseball world.
Johnson, now 61, isn’t returning to the mound — but he is returning to the game.
In a surprise press conference held at Chase Field earlier this morning, the five-time Cy Young Award winner revealed that he’s rejoining the organization that helped define his legendary career, this time in a front-office and advisory role focused on pitching development, mentorship, and team culture.
“I’ve thought long and hard about where I want to be in this next chapter,” Johnson said, standing beside Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen and team president Derrick Hall. “And for me, there’s no better place than right here in the desert. This franchise gave me so much — now it’s time to give something back. It’s time for us to shine again.”
Johnson, who played 22 seasons in the majors and spent eight of his most dominant years with Arizona, remains one of the most iconic figures in baseball history. He led the Diamondbacks to their only World Series title in 2001, famously sharing World Series MVP honors with Curt Schilling after overpowering the New York Yankees in a seven-game classic.
His return comes as Arizona aims to build on the momentum of its recent postseason resurgence, with a young, hungry roster and a fanbase eager for another shot at glory.
While specifics of Johnson’s new role remain under wraps, Hazen confirmed that “The Big Unit” will work closely with both major league and minor league pitchers, focusing on mechanics, mental toughness, and leadership.
“You don’t just replace a Randy Johnson — unless, of course, you bring back the Randy Johnson,” Hazen joked. “Having him around, having his presence in the building — it’s a game-changer. Our pitchers are going to learn from one of the absolute best to ever do it.”
The announcement follows weeks of rumors after Johnson was spotted several times at the Diamondbacks’ spring training facilities. Still, few expected a full-circle reunion of this magnitude.
Fans took to social media immediately, with hashtags like #BigUnitReturns and #DBacksLegend trending within the hour.
Even former teammates chimed in.
“Randy coming back? Man, that’s huge,” Curt Schilling tweeted. “He’s a competitor, a teacher, and a straight-up legend. Great move by the D-Backs.”
Johnson, who spent much of the last decade pursuing photography and stepping back from the public baseball eye, acknowledged that the game had never truly left him.
“Baseball has always been in my blood,” he said. “And Arizona? That’s home.”
As the Diamondbacks set their sights on another playoff run, they now do so with one of the most fearsome pitchers in baseball history back in the fold — not on the mound, but in the clubhouse, on the practice fields, and embedded deep in the heart of the franchise once again.
