Tommy John Expresses Gratitude Amid Health Struggles

WHO:

ESPN - Tommy John, 83, did not attend the New York Yankees' Old-Timers' Day.

MLB.com - Tommy John, 83, a former Major League pitcher.

MLB.com - The Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family.

MLB.com - Dr. Frank Jobe, the surgeon who performed the revolutionary elbow procedure known as Tommy John surgery.

TMZ - Tommy John, reportedly in hospice care.

WHAT:

MLB.com - John stated, “That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.”

MLB.com - John acknowledged that he pitched for 14 more years after his surgery in 1974, totaling 405 games and 164 wins post-surgery.

ESPN - John shared a message stating, "I will never forget you," as he bids farewell to fans and friends.

TMZ - John is reportedly in hospice care while battling serious health issues.

MLB.com - Tommy John thanked the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for allowing him to say goodbye to fans, stating, “I want to thank the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone.”

MLB.com - John acknowledged the impact of Dr. Frank Jobe's surgery, saying, “Thanks to Dr. [Frank] Jobe, who saved my arm and made it possible for me to continue pitching.”

MLB.com - John won 288 games against 231 losses, with a 3.34 career ERA in 760 games (700 starts) for multiple teams, including the Yankees, White Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Indians, and Athletics.

MLB.com - Tommy John expressed gratitude in an emotional statement to the Yankees and their fans.

MLB.com - John has undergone treatment for a recurrence of bladder cancer.

MLB.com - John thanked fans and teammates for their support during his 26-year career.

MLB.com - Gerrit Cole became the fastest pitcher in Yankees history to reach 1,000 strikeouts, achieving this milestone in 139 games and 837 2/3 innings.

MLB.com - Cole struck out nine batters in a game against the Braves, bringing his total to 1,002 strikeouts since joining the Yankees in 2020.

WHERE:

ESPN - John is at his home in Bradenton, Florida.

MLB.com - Yankee Stadium, New York.

MLB.com - Bradenton, Florida, where Tommy John is battling health issues.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The statement from Tommy John was released ahead of Saturday’s Old-Timers’ Day festivities at Yankee Stadium.

MLB.com - Cole's 1,000th strikeout occurred during a game against the Braves on Saturday.

WHY:

MLB.com - John is reportedly in hospice care after enduring bladder cancer and other health issues.

ESPN - John has battled bladder cancer and other ailments in recent years, though it is unclear if they are related to his current health problems.

MLB.com - John expressed gratitude to fans and teammates for their support during his 26-year career, stating, “Thank you to all the fans who supported me and my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you.”

MLB.com - Tommy John expressed gratitude to the Yankees organization for allowing him to say goodbye to fans amid his health struggles.

MLB.com - John’s surgery was initially performed to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which was thought to be career-ending.

HOW:

MLB.com - John underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery in 1974, which was the first of its kind and is now commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery.

MLB.com - Tommy John underwent a surgical procedure that involved repairing his UCL with a ligament harvested from his right wrist.

John, who is currently in hospice care after battling bladder cancer and other health issues, made a significant impact on baseball with his groundbreaking elbow ligament replacement surgery in 1974, now known as Tommy John surgery. He reflected on how that surgery has saved the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the best in the game today, and noted that he pitched for 14 more years after the procedure, racking up a total of 405 games and 164 wins. This pioneering surgery has become a crucial option for athletes looking to recover from similar injuries.