Tommy John, a former Major League Baseball pitcher renowned for the innovative surgery named after him, has passed away at the age of 83. Mike Maguire, his agent, confirmed John’s death through a statement.

Thomas Edward ‘Tommy’ John Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch last night, surrounded by his loving wife, Cheryl, and his sister-in-laws Judith Florentino and Karen Jordan,
the statement read.

John’s passing follows the release of a farewell message to fans during the New York Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day, where he acknowledged ongoing health battles. He expressed gratitude to the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for allowing him to say goodbye. John’s message also paid tribute to Dr. Jobe, who performed the groundbreaking surgery that extended his and many other players’ careers.

Tommy John underwent the now-famous elbow surgery in 1974. This operation allowed him to return stronger, winning over 160 games post-surgery. Despite missing the entire 1975 season, he was selected as a three-time All-Star following the procedure. Throughout his career, he was a four-time All-Star and played 26 seasons, including eight with the Yankees. His journey also included stints with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Cleveland Indians, and Oakland Athletics. John achieved a career 3.34 ERA with 2,245 strikeouts.

Reflecting on his career and origins, John recalled advice from his father.

The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me and 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 shared.

His reflective tone expressed gratitude to fans and teammates, highlighting a career filled with memorable moments. John never forgot the words of his father and remained appreciative of the support from those around him.