Pitching legend Tommy John, known for the groundbreaking elbow surgery that extended his time on the field by 14 years, has passed away at 83, as confirmed by the New York Yankees.
John’s life came to an end at his residence in Bradenton, Florida. While the cause of death remains undisclosed, he had faced a prolonged battle with bladder cancer and other health issues in recent years.
In a heartfelt statement, the New York Yankees expressed their grief over John’s passing. The team highlighted his pivotal role in their roster and his cherished status among fans. His impressive persistence and post-surgery feats not only transformed countless athletes’ careers worldwide but also somewhat eclipsed his prowess on the mound, notably including two consecutive 20-win seasons with the Yankees.
Reflecting on his overall contributions, the Yankees paid tribute to John’s competitive spirit, his affinity for engaging conversations, his gracious character, and his status as both an athletic figure and a medical trailblazer. They extended their heartfelt sympathies to his family and close friends.
In August, John hinted at his health struggles when he missed the Yankees’ Old-Timers Day, sharing a message of farewell to his friends and fans who had supported him during his remarkable 26-year career.
“I will never forget you,” John said in his message posted to social media.
After suffering what had been up to then considered a career-ending injury, John, then 31, underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery on his left (pitching) elbow in 1974, with the revolutionary procedure being performed by Dr. Frank Jobe. The procedure was named after John and has since become commonplace, performed on thousands of players — not just pitchers — with a typical recovery time of a year to 18 months.
John, a four-time All-Star nicknamed “The Bionic Man,” went on to pitch for 14 more seasons after the surgery.
John had 124 wins in 355 games at the time of the procedure. He pitched in 405 more games, winning 164, and finishing with a career record of 288-231 with a 3.34 ERA in 760 career appearances. Besides eight seasons with the Yankees, for whom he won 91 games over two separate stints, John pitched for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics.
“Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm
"He realized that the options were to go back to Terre Haute, Indiana, or to have the operation, with a high risk of failure," Jobe told ESPN in 2003.
In 2024, the American Medical Association estimated that roughly 35% of active major league pitchers had Tommy John surgery at some point in their career.
Drafted by Cleveland in 1961 at the age of 18, John first pitched in the majors in 1963. After being traded to the White Sox in 1965, John got his first All-Star nod in 1968, when he finished fifth in the American League with a 1.98 ERA. Four seasons later, he was traded to the Dodgers and led the National League in winning percentage in 1973 and 1974, when he suffered the UCL injury.
John reached the World Series three times during his career -- twice with the Dodgers (1977, '78) and once with the Yankees (1981) -- and compiled a 2.67 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in games he pitched, but he never won a championship, losing, ironically, to the Dodgers or Yankees on all three occasions.
He won 20 games in a season on three occasions -- going 20-7 with the Dodgers in 1977, 21-9 with the Yankees in 1979 and 22-9 with the Yankees in 1980. John was named to the All-Star Game in three consecutive seasons from 1978 to 1980, compiling a combined 60-28 mark with a 3.22 ERA over 754 2/3 innings over that span.
Both John and Jobe were honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 for their contributions to the sport.
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