Big News From Peoria: Johnson Happy, Talking

The eggshells surrounding Seattle Mariners pitching ace Randy Johnson virtually all spring were noticeably absent Monday. It apparently had something to do with several of his veteran teammates giving him pep talks the past few days.

Johnson’s mood definitely has made an about-face.

Four days after abruptly ending a postgame news conference after four questions, Johnson sat in front of his locker for more than 30 minutes discussing his three-inning scoreless stint in the Mariners’ 9-2 Cactus League victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Johnson smiled. He joked. He laughed.

When a reporter mentioned the obvious mood swing, Johnson quipped, “I haven’t been asked any stupid questions yet. Actually, I am more upbeat and happy right now. Not that I wasn’t happy, but I’m just going about my business the way I always have, and whatever happens (with his contract situation) happens. I’m not going to dwell on how I feel anymore.”

After finishing with the media and changing into street clothes, Johnson walked toward the double-doors leading out of the clubhouse, glanced over his left shoulder and saw Ken Griffey Jr. give two thumbs up. Johnson responded with a smile and his own two-thumb salute.

“Some of my teammates have come up to me and said they are happy with the way I have handled it and are happy that I’m here,” Johnson said. “I appreciate that.”

Griffey is among those who have lended support.

“It’s a tough situation for anybody to be in,” said Griffey, referring to Johnson being told by management he won’t be offered a contract extension beyond this season. “I just wanted to see how he is doing and let him know that it’s not a distraction to us.

“He’s still on the team and I wanted to make sure everything is OK with him so he can have fun.”

Johnson said the difference between Monday’s three-inning outing and last Thursday’s two-inning workout were “like night and day. I felt a lot better going out for the third inning than I did going out for the second inning the last time.”

Johnson allowed three hits Monday, struck out four and walked one. Afterward, he chirped like a bird.

“I’m a professional and have a responsibility to myself and my teammates,” he said. “My focus is entirely on baseball. I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

Although Johnson didn’t talk about his contract, he discussed some of the reasons management cited for not keeping him in a Seattle uniform beyond this season.

Johnson insisted his back problems are over, and he hasn’t felt this good since he was 18 or 19 years old. The powerful left arm is getting stronger. So is his back.

“For anybody to say I’m getting old - and I’m 33 not 34 - it is their opinion,” he said. “But if you put my numbers with some of the better pitchers in baseball, they will stack up there with anyone’s.”

Johnson’s 53-9 record since early in the 1994 season is tops in the major leagues during the same span. And he is coming off a 20-win season - the first in club history.

Even so, management pinpointed Johnson’s age and past health problems as reasons for not offering him a contract extension.

“I haven’t seen any signs that age is a factor, unless they measure baseball years like dog years,” he said. “My back isn’t a factor, either. For someone to say I have chronic back problems, they don’t know what they are talking about.”

Johnson says he continues to work diligently to make sure his surgically repaired back stays strong.

The only thing Johnson has had hurt recently is his feelings. Perhaps he’s overcome that, too.