Tommy John, who is receiving hospice care, says goodbye… “Thank you all”

Tommy John, the 83-year-old former MLB player who underwent a groundbreaking surgery, bid farewell to fans with a heartfelt message. On September 9, John was receiving hospice care at his home in Bradenton, Florida. The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves unveiled the farewell message, written in a letter. John expressed gratitude to all friends and fans who supported him throughout his 26-year career in baseball.

He thanked Dr. Frank Jobe, his surgeon, for enabling him to continue pitching after the procedure. John's career spanned six different teams, including the Cleveland Indians (1963-1989) and the New York Yankees (1989-1989), with 288 wins, 231 losses, a 3.34 ERA, and 2,245 strikeouts. Although he never made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame, his name is more widely recognized today.

John had Tommy John surgery in 1974, performed by Dr. Jobe, which allowed him to have a successful career after the procedure. He took a full year off after the surgery but returned in 1976, posting a 164-125 record with a 3.66 ERA over 405 games until his retirement. John's final game, played in the September 9 Mets vs. Braves game (final score 5-4), marked his transition from a professional player to a retiree.

He concluded his message by reminding everyone of his humble beginnings with a quote from his father: "Remember only one thing - whether you succeed or fail in the big leagues, you'll always be a Tommy John from Indiana Jones."