Tommy John, a remarkable baseball player who won 288 games in a major league career spanning 26 years, has passed away at 83. His death was confirmed by his agent, Mike Maguire, who said that John died at his home in Bradenton, Florida, after being in hospice care.
Farewell to Friends and Fans
On August 8, the New York Yankees released a heartfelt social media message from John, in which he bid farewell to friends and fans, expressing his lasting gratitude for their support throughout his career. The Yankees remembered him as a key figure in their rotation and a fan favorite.
Career Highlights
John was a four-time All-Star and built a career record of 288-231 with a 3.34 ERA between 1963 and 1989. He pitched for several teams, including Cleveland, the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Yankees, the California Angels, and the Oakland Athletics.
Stan Kasten, the president and CEO of the Dodgers, praised John’s exceptional career and his brave choice to undergo the pioneering surgery that eventually bore his name. Kasten highlighted his enduring influence on players of all ages.
Pioneering Surgery
At 31, John faced a career-threatening injury when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in 1974. Dr. Frank Jobe, the Dodgers’ team physician, proposed a groundbreaking surgical procedure to replace the ligament with a tendon from John’s right forearm. Despite the low chances of success, John agreed to the surgery, which involved intricate bone work and tendon placement.
More than 2,600 major league players and many amateurs have since undergone UCL reconstructions, often referred to as Tommy John surgery. It has revitalized the careers of stars like Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander, and Bryce Harper.
Early Life and Legacy
Born Thomas Edward John Jr. on May 22, 1943, in Terre Haute, Indiana, John excelled in baseball and basketball at Gerstmeyer High. He chose baseball over basketball despite receiving collegiate recruitment offers. Reflecting on his career, John shared his father’s words that he would always be “Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana.”
John’s post-surgery career proved even more successful than before, marking 164 wins after the procedure. He remained active in baseball by broadcasting for teams and managing the Bridgeport Bluefish.
Impact of His Surgery
Tommy John surgery is now a common solution for pitchers experiencing severe elbow injuries, providing hope for continued careers. However, John and his family expressed concern over the procedure’s prevalence among young athletes. His son, Tommy III, authored a book advising on injury prevention for young players.
John’s later life included challenges with COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which caused temporary paralysis. He is survived by his children and his second wife, Cheryl.