{
  "id": 1322911,
  "title": "Tommy John has passed away",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/tommy-john-has-passed-away",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T18:16:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tommy-john-passed-away-181641998.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tommy John, the legendary major league pitcher who pioneered the groundbreaking surgery that transformed baseball, has died, his family announced. He was 83 years old. John was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians but made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox in a three-team trade. He spent six years with the White Sox, including three seasons where he recorded more than 5 WAR (wins above replacement) from 1968 to 1970. After the 1971 season, John was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dick Allen. At the Dodgers, he was a consistent starter in their rotation, leading the league in winning percentage in 1973 and 1974. However, a damaged UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) cut short his 1974 season. Despite the setback, John decided to undergo an experimental surgery in September 1974, replacing his damaged UCL with a tendon from his forearm. Dr. Frank Jobe performed the procedure, which became known as \"Tommy John surgery.\" After recovering, John returned to action in 1976, and the term \"Tommy John surgery\" became part of baseball terminology. Over the next 14 seasons, John played in the majors, finishing second in the National League Cy Young voting in 1977 and in the American League Cy Young voting in 1979, his first year with the New York Yankees. He finished his career with 288 wins and a career bWAR (wins above replacement) of 61.6, which ranks 58th among major league pitchers.",
  "summary": "Longtime major league pitcher Tommy John has passed away at age 83",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Baseball legend Tommy John, remembered after passing at age 83",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/baseball-legend-tommy-john-remembered-after-passing-at-age-83",
        "published": "2026-08-16T18:15:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}