Tommy John, the namesake of a ligament-replacement surgery that paved a path to recovery for injured baseball players, has died. He was 83.
TMZ.com cited a statement released by John’s agent, Mike Maguire, saying the pitcher passed away at his home in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., surrounded by his wife, Cheryl, and family. John had been in hospice care in Bradenton, Fla.
The New York Yankees released a statement on Sunday following the news of John’s passing:
“The New York Yankees mourn the passing of Tommy John, who was a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankees fans. While his incredible longevity and post-surgery achievements changed the fortunes and trajectory of countless athletes around the world, it also overshadowed his excellence as a pitcher, which included consecutive 20-win seasons with the Yankees.
“We pause to remember the totality of his legacy — his competitiveness and skill, his penchant for conversation, his kind and gracious nature, and his stature as an athletic and medical pioneer. The Yankees extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends, including wife, Cheryl, daughter, Tamara, and sons Tommy III and Travis. We also keep his son Taylor in our hearts.”
Per MLB.com, John had recently undergone treatment related to a recurrence of bladder cancer.
On Aug. 8, John sent an emotional farewell letter, released by the Yankees.
“I want to thank the Yankees organization & the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends & fans who followed me through my 26-year career,” John said in his letter. “Thanks for Dr. (Frank) Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.
“Thank you to all the fans who supported me and my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you.”
The last 14 of John’s 26 seasons came after undergoing the first elbow surgery where the ulnar collateral ligament was replaced by another tendon from the body.
John was 124-106 with a 2.97 ERA over 355 appearances (318 starts) during his first 12 major league seasons. He returned from his experimental elbow surgery in 1976 to go 164-125 with a 3.66 ERA in 405 appearances (382 starts) over the remainder of his career.
John pitched for six clubs, including the Yankees (1979-82, 1986-89), the Chicago White Sox (1965-71) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1972-74, 1976-78). He missed the 1975 season after the surgery by Jobe, who was the Dodgers’ team doctor.
John was a four-time All-Star, who also served as a broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins and Yankees after his career ended, but is not a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame.
