Tommy John, a man who forever changed the sport of professional baseball by undergoing an innovative surgery, has passed away. He was 83.
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A four-time All-Star with 288 career wins, John played for 26 seasons despite suffering a significant injury in his elbow. He made his debut with Cleveland in 1963, and he spent time with eight teams before throwing his final pitch in 1989.
He led the league with sutouts in three seasons, and he led the league in win-loss percentage in both 1973 and 1974.
John missed the entire 1975 season due to an elbow injury. But he returned the following season after undergoing a procedure performed by Dr. Frank Jobe.
This surgery is now known as Tommy John Surgery, and it extended his career and kept him at a highly productive level.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers would like to express our sadness over the passing of Tommy John, who died Saturday at the age of 83," the team said in a statement.
"Thanks in no small part to the pioneering surgery that bears his name, Tommy's extraordinary career encompassed 26 seasons and 288 career victories. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
The Yankees also issued statements from former teammates Don Mattingly and Willie Randolph, who offered their condolences.
Statements from Don Mattingly and Willie Randolph on the passing of Tommy John: pic.twitter.com/k5cwi0u8vv
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 16, 2026
The news of John's passing is not unexpected. He had recently penned a farewell letter to fans and the sport while in hospice care in Bradenton, Florida.
"I want to thank the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone," John wrote in a statement distributed by the Yankees, "along with all the friends and fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career.
"Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching," John added in his letter. "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 & my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you.
"The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me & said, 'Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing: whether you make it big in the big leagues or you don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana.'"
