MLB legend Tommy John delivered an emotional farewell to the New York Yankees and their fans as the 83-year-old deals with serious health problems that prevented him from attending the team’s Old-Timers’ Day in person.
John, whose name became permanently attached to baseball history through the elbow surgery that extended his career and later saved those of countless other pitchers, spent eight seasons with the Yankees across two separate stints. He played for New York from 1979 through 1982 before returning from 1986 through 1989, appearing in 214 games and recording 91 victories.
The Yankees honored John and other former players during Old-Timers’ Day festivities ahead of the game against the Atlanta Braves. John could not attend the ceremony.
MLB Tribute ‘I Will Never Forget You’
The Yankees said he was at his home in Bradenton, Florida. Reuters reported that John was receiving hospice care. He has dealt with bladder cancer and other health issues in recent years, although it remains unclear whether those conditions are connected to his current situation.
Unable to address the crowd personally, John instead sent a statement that the Yankees shared on social media.
“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 throughout my 26-year career,” John wrote.
“Thank you to all the fans who supported me & my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you.”
John then recalled advice his father gave him as he left home to begin his professional baseball career.
“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 said those words stayed with him throughout his career.
“I’ve never forgotten those words. Thank you & God Bless.”
The Surgery That Gave John 14 More Years
It was a particularly poignant message from a pitcher whose career once appeared destined to end much earlier.
John had already become an MLB All-Star with the Chicago White Sox and was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers when he suffered a severe injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow in 1974. At the time, that type of injury was widely considered devastating for a pitcher’s career.
Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe attempted a surgical procedure that would change John’s future. Jobe reconstructed the damaged ligament, and after a lengthy recovery, John returned to the mound.
He did not merely make a brief comeback. John pitched for another 14 years.
The operation became known as “Tommy John surgery,” and versions of the procedure have since allowed generations of pitchers to return from UCL injuries that once threatened to end their careers.
John made sure Jobe was remembered in his farewell.
“Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching,” he wrote. “That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.”
John ultimately spent 26 seasons in the major leagues and finished with 288 career victories, coming remarkably close to the 300-win milestone.
Ron Guidry Remembers His Yankees Teammate
Former Yankees teammate Ron Guidry also spoke about John during Saturday’s ceremony, remembering both his performance on the mound and the knowledge he shared with those around him.
“He had almost 300 wins, on top of everything else he did,” Guidry said.
“It was great having him on the team. He was so knowledgeable. When we were together, we were pretty much 1-2 on the staff and having him around gave me great comfort.”
Guidry added that John was always willing to talk baseball and help teammates who came to him with questions.
“He could talk and it was nice to have him around because he would answer any question you had and he did so much in the game.”
Decades after John last pitched for the Yankees, his Old-Timers’ Day message was considerably simpler than the career that preceded it. He thanked the organization, remembered his father, credited the doctor who gave him a second chance and left Yankees fans with five words that carried the weight of a goodbye:
“I will never forget you.”
