Former major league pitcher Tommy John, who is well known for a revolutionary elbow surgery he received that still is in use today, is battling health issues and is in hospice care at his home in Bradenton, Fla.
John, 83, was a major league pitcher for 26 seasons, the last 14 of which came after undergoing the first elbow surgery where the ulnar collateral ligament was replaced by another tendon from the body.
John pitched his final four seasons with the New York Yankees, who released a farewell letter from John on Saturday.
“I want to thank the Yankees organization & the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends & fans who followed me through my 26-year career,” John said in his letter. “Thanks for Dr. (Frank) Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching.”
John was 124-106 with a 2.97 ERA over 355 appearances (318 starts) during his first 12 major league seasons. He returned from his experimental elbow surgery in 1976 to go 164-125 with a 3.66 ERA in 405 appearances (382 starts) over the remainder of his career.
John pitched for six clubs, including the Yankees (1979-82, 1986-89), the Chicago White Sox (1965-71) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1972-74, 1976-78). He missed the 1975 season after the surgery by Jobe, who was the Dodgers’ team doctor.
John was a four-time All-Star, who also served as a broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins and Yankees after his career ended, but is not a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame.
