Tommy John Bids Farewell Amid Health Struggles

Tommy John, the former pitcher for the New York Yankees, is fondly remembered for the groundbreaking elbow surgery that has extended many baseball careers. As the Yankees celebrated Old-Timers’ Day, John, now 83, shared a heartfelt message with fans, signaling his recent health challenges in Florida.

Reflecting on his career, John expressed gratitude: “I want to thank the Yankees organization & the Steinbrenner family for allowing me to say farewell, along with the friends & fans who supported me through my 26-year career.” He also thanked Dr. Jobe, the pioneering surgeon whose work on John’s arm allowed him to continue pitching. This surgical technique has since become vital for countless other players.

“Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.”

John’s career after his 1974 surgery was marked by significant success. He missed the 1975 season but subsequently won over 160 games and became a three-time All-Star post-surgery. Ultimately, he retired as a four-time All-Star after 26 seasons, eight of which he spent with the Yankees. Besides the Yankees, his other teams included the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Cleveland Indians, and Oakland Athletics.

He had an impressive career ERA of 3.34 with 2,245 strikeouts. John fondly recalled his father’s words from his early career days: “The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me & said, ‘Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing: whether you make it big in the big leagues or you don’t, you’ll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana.'”

John’s message concluded with appreciation for his fans and a blessing: “Thank you & God Bless.”

Ryan Gaydos serves as a senior editor for Fox News Digital.