Former MLB pitcher Tommy John, known for receiving revolutionary elbow surgery, reportedly passes away at 83

Tommy John, the former Major League Baseball pitcher renowned for enduring a groundbreaking elbow surgery, has reportedly succumbed to his 83rd birthday, as per his agent, Mike Maguire. The esteemed athlete, who resided in Lakewood Ranch and was under hospice care due to bladder cancer, bid farewell to the world via a letter to fans penned for the New York Yankees.

In this letter, John expressed gratitude to the surgeon who pioneered elbow surgery, enabling him to maintain his pitching prowess and complete a 26-year career.

Tommy John surgery, now commonplace among pitchers, aids in prolonging their careers. John made his debut in the majors in 1963 with the Cleveland team. A decade later, he endured an elbow injury that was deemed career-ending. In 1975, Dr. Frank Jobe executed ligament replacement surgery, which forced John to sit out the entire season.

However, he made a comeback in 1976, becoming the first player to return to the game post-surgery. John subsequently pitched for another 13 years, concluding his career in New York in 1989. Throughout his illustrious journey, he was a four-time All-Star and showcased his skills with the Cleveland Guardians (now Indians), Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Yankees, Los Angeles Angels (then-California Angels), and Athletics, spanning from 1963 to 1989.

John's professional record reads 288-231 over 760 appearances, coupled with a career 3.34 ERA. He completed 162 games, with 91 of them pitch after his elbow surgery.