Former MLB pitcher Tommy John dies at 83
Tommy John, the former major-league pitcher whose name is associated with a pioneering elbow surgery, died at age 83 after a period in hospice care.
Tommy John, a former major-league pitcher who underwent the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction that later bore his name, died on Sunday at age 83. He had been receiving hospice care for several weeks, according to reports.
John is survived by his wife and three children. The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the six major-league clubs he played for, issued a statement noting his “exceptional” career and the lasting impact of the surgery that saved countless pitchers’ careers.
Dodgers President Stan Kasten said, "> Tommy was an exceptional pitcher throughout his career in Major League Baseball, and his courageous role in becoming the first to have surgery that would go on to bear his name can’t be overstated. His impact both on and off the field has been felt by ballplayers of all ages and will be for generations to come."
The New York Yankees, another of John’s former teams, described him as a “bedrock” of their pitching rotation and highlighted his 20-win seasons, competitiveness, and reputation as a medical pioneer.
John’s professional career began with Cleveland in 1963, followed by stints with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics and the Yankees. After a torn elbow ligament ended his 1974 season, Dodgers surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe performed the experimental tendon-replacement procedure. John returned to the mound in 1976, posted three consecutive 20-win seasons and helped the Dodgers win two National League pennants before joining the Yankees as a free agent.
He retired in 1989 with 288 wins and 2,245 strikeouts, though he never captured a Cy Young Award. Modern pitchers such as Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom have undergone the “Tommy John” surgery, underscoring his lasting legacy in baseball medicine.