Tommy John, the Pitcher Who Changed Baseball, Dies at 83

Tommy John, the former Major League pitcher whose groundbreaking elbow surgery changed baseball forever and helped extend the careers of countless pitchers, has died at the age of 83.

John's agent, Mike Maguire, announced his death in a statement, saying John passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, surrounded by his wife, Cheryl, and sisters-in-law Judith Florentino and Karen Jordan.

A private celebration of life will be held in Florida.

John's death comes about a week after he delivered a farewell message to fans during the New York Yankees' Old-Timers' Day. The Yankees had revealed that John had been dealing with health issues, and he used the occasion to say goodbye to the fans who had followed his remarkable 26-year career.

"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," John said.

He also made sure to recognize the man who changed the course of his career — Dr. Frank Jobe.

"Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm and made it possible for me to continue pitching," John said. "That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today."

John underwent the now-famous surgery in 1974 after suffering a devastating elbow injury. He missed the entire 1975 season but returned to pitch at an incredibly high level, eventually winning more than 160 games after the procedure.

He was a three-time All-Star following the surgery and finished his career as a four-time All-Star. John spent eight of his 26 seasons with the Yankees and also pitched for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics.

He finished his career with a 3.34 ERA and 2,245 strikeouts.

While the surgery that bears his name made John a medical and baseball pioneer, his accomplishments as a pitcher were impressive enough on their own. He even won 20 games in consecutive seasons with the Yankees.

Former Yankees star Don Mattingly remembered John as both a teammate and a friend.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Tommy John," Mattingly said. "Tommy and I were both from Indiana and shared a Midwest bond while playing in New York together."

Former teammate Willie Randolph also shared fond memories of his time with John.

The Yankees described John as a "bedrock" of their rotation and remembered not only his longevity and medical legacy, but also his competitiveness, skill, conversational nature and kind personality.

Perhaps fittingly, John ended his farewell message by remembering advice from his father.

"Whether you make it big in the big leagues or you don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana."

For generations of baseball players, however, Tommy John became much more than that.

He became a symbol of perseverance, innovation and the belief that an athlete's career doesn't necessarily have to end when an injury says it should.

The pitcher became a pioneer, and his name will forever be part of baseball history.

Tommy John’s legacy reaches beyond the mound, and his surgery’s impact on modern baseball helps explain why his name will endure for generations.