Randy Johnson isn't known for his personality

Bob Klapisch has recently written an article on ESPN.com in which he comments that “it’s clear no one will miss [Randy Johnson].” Klapisch cites the lefty’s social awkwardness, his inability to handle playing in New York, and his general demeanor which was bringing down the Yankees’ clubhouse. He claims that Johnson never fit in with the Yankees from the start. “The Unit, cold and aloof from the first day, never fit in with the Yankees, spending most of his time at his locker with his back to his teammates.” Klapisch implies that somehow this had a negative effect on the team. “The clubhouse is about to get a whole lot warmer,” Klapisch says, in reference to Johnson’s impending departure. The clear implication of this statement is that in addition to more a friendly clubhouse, Johnson’s departure will have a positive effect on the Yankees as a team. Addition by subtraction, as they say.

Of course, Klapisch fails to mention that Johnson was not a friendly person before he came to New York, yet his teams had managed to succeed in the past despite his presence in the clubhouse (and because of his presence on the mound). But more importantly, Klapisch fails to demonstrate just how Johnson’s demeanor affected the Yankees as a team. Did Johnson’s ignoring of his teammates cause them to play differently? Did Johnson work less hard because he was unhappy in New York? Did personal differences with teammates spill onto the field?

As I’ve demonstrated, in football or basketball it is possible that a person like Johnson could have a negative effect on the team, because football and basketball are much more team sports than baseball. However, baseball is more individualistic---especially for a starting pitcher. Johnson is not trying less hard; his work ethic is renowned. Certainly he is declining in performance, but this is not because he is uncomfortable in New York.

Even if everything Klapisch said about Johnson were true---and we have no reason to think it’s not true---it is unclear how these things would have an effect on the Yankees’ ability to score or prevent runs. Unless someone is actively not trying as hard due to personal problems with Johnson, Johnson can have absolutely no effect on the team’s performance on the field outside of his own performance as a pitcher.

There’s a reason that Josh Byrnes, a smart, statistically-minded GM, wants Johnson despite his injury risk, high salary, and the fact that the Diamondbacks are a very young team: Johnson is still a good starting pitcher. And no amount of foul personality can change that.