By Daniel Feuerstein | Bradenton, FL | August 16th, 2026
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy John, who was suffering from serious health issues, passed away at the age of 83 in his home in Bradenton, Florida, with his wife by his side. A starting pitcher for multiple teams, but well known for playing for the New York Yankees twice in his career, from 1979 to 1982 and from 1986 to 1989. But he was also well known for the surgery that saved his pitching arm and was named after it, known as Tommy John Surgury that was originally performed by Dr. Frank Jobe.
Tommy John’s MLB Career
The Terre Haute, Indiana native was drafted by the Cleveland Indians (Now the Guardians) and debuted on September 6th, 1963. Spent a full season in 1964 before he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1965 and played six seasons till the end of the 1971 season. Was later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and began pitching for them from 1972 till 1978. Then went to the Yankees as a free agent for his first trip to the Bronx, then got traded to the California Angels (now the LA Angels) in 1982 and spent a few years there till the middle of the 1985 season when he was traded to the Oakland Athletics (Now in Sacramento), then went back to the Bronx for his second tour with the Yankees and ended his Baseball Career from 1986 till 1989.
Tommy John’s Career totals: he played 471 games, pitching a total of 4,710 1/3 Innings, with a record of 288 wins and 231 losses, with a career 3.34 ERA, allowing 4,783 Hits. He allowed 1,259 walks and struck out 2,245 batters. Pitched in three consecutive World Series from 1977 through 1979 for the Yankees and lost to the Dodgers, who were managed by Tommy Lasorda. For the last 25 years, Tommy John attended every Old Timer’s Day at the old and new Yankee Stadium. He declined this past season’s Old Timer’s Day due to his health concerns.
First MLB Pitcher to get named for a new surgery
When he was pitching for the Dodgers, towards the end of the 1974 season, he injured his pitching arm and went to see Dr. Frank Jobe. His career was on the line as he had a tear in his Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL), located on the inner side of the elbow, closest to the body and the pinky finger. John missed the entire 1975 season, but came back stronger and better than before. Since that procedure was performed, many Major League Baseball Pitchers who have had that injury have had it done and have come out better after missing a season with rehab.
The Pitchers Union mourns the loss of a good man
Tommy John was a battler on the mound. Tried his best to get as many wins and strikeouts as he could to get his team on the positive side of the ledger. A beloved teammate and a good man. The Pitcher’s Union will miss him greatly, and the teams he played for, especially the Yankees, who enjoyed seeing him play and visit the stadium for Old Timer’s Day, will be severely missed.
Discover more from Bad Dawg Media Group
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Discover more from Bad Dawg Media Group
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
