Tommy John has died at age 83, the Yankees announced. Per MLB Trade Rumors, John had been dealing with bladder cancer and sent a farewell statement to fans during a Yankees old-timers day event last weekend. Yahoo Sports reported that John announced his battle with bladder cancer in 2024.
John pitched 26 seasons in the majors, including eight with the Yankees. He finished his career as a 288-game winner. But his greatest impact on baseball came off the field. In 1974, after rupturing a ligament in his left elbow, John agreed to undergo a radical surgical procedure performed by Dr. Frank Jobe that revived his career. That surgery—now known as Tommy John surgery—became baseball's most important and most common elbow operation, allowing countless players to return to competition after similar injuries.