Randy Johnson’s No. 51 is finally getting the full curtain call in Seattle. The Mariners will officially retire the Big Unit’s number during a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, May 2, 2026, before their home game against the Kansas City Royals. The event is part of the club’s 50th-season slate of celebrations, with fans in for a pregame tribute and throwback-flavored promotions across the weekend.
Ceremony details
According to MLB.com, Johnson’s No. 51 will be formally retired in a pregame ceremony on May 2, making it the fifth number retired in Mariners history. The ceremony at T-Mobile Park will add his jersey to a short list that already includes Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, and Ichiro Suzuki. The date is set as part of the team’s 2026 promotional schedule, locking it in as one of the marquee moments of the season.
Fan promotions and game night
The party effectively starts the night before. The Mariners are rolling out a Randy Johnson ’80s Jersey Night on May 1 that will give the first 20,000 fans replica Johnson jerseys, as detailed by Lookout Landing. Ticket listings for the May 2 matchup with the Kansas City Royals already flag the game as the official retirement ceremony, a clear signal that the team expects a big crowd. Anyone planning to be there is being urged to arrive early for pregame activities and security screening.
The Big Unit’s Seattle legacy
Johnson’s resume in Seattle is the stuff of franchise folklore. During his Mariners run he posted a 130-74 record with a 3.42 ERA and 2,162 strikeouts, numbers that helped launch a Hall of Fame career that ultimately closed with 303 wins and 4,875 strikeouts, according to Baseball-Reference. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, and the Arizona Diamondbacks have already retired his No. 51, giving the lefty a rare dual-number honor across two franchises.
Local context
Local outlets quickly jumped on the news, with KREM running a notice on April 27 that highlighted the upcoming celebration. Hoodline earlier flagged the ceremony as part of the Mariners’ 50th-season calendar in a season-preview roundup. For Seattle fans, May 2 will double as both a nostalgic look back at one of the franchise’s defining arms and a chance to see his number join the select group hanging at T-Mobile Park.
