Tommy John, MLB All-Star pitcher who had a surgery named after him, dies at 83
One of Tommy John's biggest legacies to MLB was his comeback elbow reconstruction surgery that now bears his name.
Tommy John, a renowned MLB All-Star pitcher who earned four All-Star selections and 288 victories over a 26-year career, passed away at the age of 83 on Saturday in Florida, according to his agent Mike Maguire. His life's work began in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he signed with the Cleveland Indians at age 18, showcasing a powerful curveball.
After three minor league seasons, John made his major league debut in 1963 with the Chicago White Sox, eventually playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Oakland Athletics, and New York Yankees throughout his career. In 1974, John suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament, a devastating injury that could have ended his career.
However, he underwent a groundbreaking elbow reconstruction surgery pioneered by Dr. Frank Jobe, known today as the Tommy John surgery. This innovative procedure not only saved John's career but also became a life-saving operation for many pitchers, including some of the sport's elite. John's legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics—2,203 strikeouts and a 3.34 ERA—into the realm of medical history.
In his final days, John penned an emotional farewell letter to fans, expressing gratitude to his former teams, teammates, and supporters, acknowledging Dr. Jobe's life-saving surgery, and bidding farewell to the Yankees organization.
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