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Posted on 08/08/2026 2:03:51 PM PDT by DFG
Old-Timers’ Day in The Bronx took on an unexpected somber tone when Tommy John released a statement through the Yankees in which he said “goodbye to everyone” as he battles health issues.
“I want to thank the Yankees organization [and] the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends [and] fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career.”
The former Yankee — best known for being the first to undergo the elbow surgery that now bears his name — was remembered fondly by his former teammates Saturday at the Stadium.
“He had almost 300 wins, on top of everything else he did,’’ Ron 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. 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.”
John had been an All-Star with the White Sox and was a standout with the Dodgers by the time he injured his UCL in 1974.
At the time, that was seen as a likely career-ending injury, but Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe performed the procedure on John, then 31, in which the lefty’s elbow ligament was replaced.
John missed the entire 1975 season, but returned a year later and pitched 14 seasons with the reconstructed elbow.
In his statement, John also credited Jobe, who “saved my arm [and] made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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83 year old Tommy John announced his battle with bladder cancer in 2024. He is now in hospice care.
Tommy John—the first person to have it in 1974—the operation repairs a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow using a tissue graft.
Over 1,000 pitchers, and 2,500 major league players, have had the surgery.
Said a batter who went up against him, "When they grafted on that elbow, did they have to give him Sandy Koufax's?"
Thanks for posting. One of the greats.
🙏 for Tommy John.
Tommy John played more consecutive years with the Dodgers, and had more World Series appearances as a Dodger. I am no longer a Dodger fan, but the team of that era was special.
I have no idea why Tommy John is only reported to sending appreciation to the Yankees.
That pitching staff on the Chisox was something to behold: Tommy, Joel Horlen, Gary Peters, old Hoyt Wilhelm and young Wilbur Wood. And the first 3 coul flat out hit, as well.
Tommy John was not a special hitter during his time with the Dodgers. Rick Rhoden, Charlie Hough, and Terry Forster were better. I looked him up. He was an okay hitting pitcher, exceeding .200 once with the Sox, and once with the Dodgers. He had two home runs in only 69 at bats early on with the Sox, so that might be what you were thinking of.
Was mainly thinking of the whole staff. The sox actually used gary peters to PH. Burgess was a genius as PH.
Well before my time, though I do remember the Dodgers using Rick Sutcliffe had pinch hit for the Dodgers in the ‘80s. Of course way back, Don Drysdale had some good years too, getting seven home runs ober 66 at bats in 1957.
Yep. Drysdale, Gibson, Cloninger, Reuschel, Jenkins — not easy outs.
It’s Yankees old timers day today.
The Chicago White Sox radio announcers were Bob Elson and Milo Hamilton.
OK. That’s a good reason. I never liked losing Tommy John. Bob Welch slotted in nicely, and then we later lost him to the Yankees too. (Although his store is more complex, along with 2nd Baseman Steve Howe. I never thought that much of Don Sutton, who also went to the evil empire. (During the Dodgers ‘70s run, he was the #3 man in the rotation behind Hooten and Tommy John, and then Hooten and Bob Welch.) And who did the Dodgers get from the Yankees? Gary Thomasson (ugh). However, Willie Randolph was the real thing.
I’m rooting for Tommy John, a great player from my age in life. (I’m 86)
Never, has any one heard a negative word about this man!
Pray that he wins his fight, his record stands for him and only a few will exceed his career stats.
Stay the course, Tommy!”
Those were the days of workhorses. I recall Wood going 24-20 one year.
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