Longtime major league left-hander Tommy John, the subject of a revolutionary and eponymous elbow surgery in September 1974, has died, his agent confirmed to CBS News. "The New York Yankees mourn the passing of Tommy John, who was a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankees fans," the team said in a statement on Sunday. "While his incredible longevity and post-surgery achievements changed the fortunes and trajectory of countless athletes around the world, it also overshadowed his excellence as a pitcher, which included consecutive 20‑win seasons with the Yankees.
We pause to remember the totality of his legacy -- his competitiveness and skill, his penchant for conversation, his kind and gracious nature, and his stature as an athletic and medical pioneer. The Yankees extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends, including wife Cheryl, daughter Tamara, and sons Tommy III and Travis. We also keep his son Taylor in our hearts." The news of John's death comes just a week after he missed the New York Yankees' Old-Timers' Day celebration on Aug. 8.
In his absence, he thanked the franchise and fans: "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 in a statement. Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has since saved the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.
"Thank you to all the fans who supported me & my teammates for 26 years. 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.
I've never forgotten those words. Thank you & God Bless." After pitching at Indiana State, John made his MLB debut with Cleveland in September 1963. He joined their rotation full-time in May 1964, then was traded to the Chicago White Sox in a blockbuster eight-player, three-team trade that notably sent Rocky Colavito from the Kansas City Athletics to Cleveland in January 1965.
John was a star for the White Sox from 1965-71, pitching to a 2.95 ERA and averaging 213 ⅓ innings per season. After being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dick Allen in December 1971, John continued his excellence, going 40-15 with a 2.89 ERA in 557 ⅔ innings from 1972-74. On July 17, 1974, John felt pain in his elbow while throwing a pitch and exited the game after two innings.
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