Tommy John has died. He was 83.
TMZ.com cited a statement released by John’s agent, Mike Maguire, saying the pitcher passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, surrounded by his wife, Cheryl, and family.
According to MLB.com, John had recently undergone treatment related to a recurrence of bladder cancer.
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On Saturday, Aug. 8, the New York Yankees posted a letter from John to their social media accounts in which he said “goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends and fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career.”
John pitched for the Yankees from 1979-82, and again from 1986-89. He made two of his four career All-Star Game appearances wearing pinstripes.
John is most famous for the namesake ligament-replacement surgery performed on his pitching elbow in 1974 that saved his career — and ultimately the careers of perhaps thousands of pitchers in the years that followed.
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“Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching,” John wrote in his letter. “That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.”
John missed the 1975 season recuperating from the surgery. He recorded 164 of his 288 career wins after returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1976 season.
John appeared in 760 major league games for the Cleveland Indians (1963-64), Chicago White Sox (1965-71), Dodgers (1972-78), Yankees, California Angels (1982-85), and Oakland A’s (1985). His 26 seasons playing at baseball’s highest level are one shy of the all-time record.
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John pitched 760 major league games for the Cleveland Indians (1963-64), Chicago White Sox (1965-71), Dodgers (1972-78), New York Yankees (1979-82, 1986-89), California Angels (1982-85) and Oakland A’s (1985). He retired with a 288-231 record and 3.34 ERA (111 ERA+).
According to TMZ.com, John’s family asked for donations to the Duke University Medical Fund in lieu of flowers.
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