NEW YORK – Tommy John, whose Major League pitching career was extended by a revolutionary elbow procedure that now carries his name, penned an emotional statement addressing the Yankees and their fans ahead of Saturday’s Old-Timers’ Day festivities at Yankee Stadium.
“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 wrote.
The statement was released by the club on behalf of John, 83, who has recently undergone treatment related to a recurrence of bladder cancer.
The Yankees said John is continuing to battle health issues from his home in Bradenton, Fla.
“Thanks to Dr. [Frank] 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.
“Thank you to all the fans who supported me and my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you.”
Coincidentally, the starting pitchers on both ends of Saturday’s Yankees game against the Braves were both All-Star pitchers who had their careers saved by Tommy John surgery – Gerrit Cole for the Yankees, and Chris Sale for the Braves.
“Chris and I are a great example of taking it to the max as long as you can, then being given a fresh set of tires after a pit stop at the end,” Cole said after the Yankees’ 5-4 win. “I think it’s a good opportunity to point that out, because he had an incredible career, both pre and post.”
In 1974, John was a pitcher for the Dodgers who sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, once thought to be a career-ending injury.
At the time, Dr. Jobe estimated the chances of a successful procedure as one in 100. With his UCL repaired by a ligament harvested from his right wrist, John missed all of the 1975 season before returning to the Dodgers in April 1976.
“The surgery itself is saving us, but the player had to step up to the table and do it,” Cole said. “Having gone through the process, I can imagine that he was just as diligent – if not more diligent – to the rehab process, and really writing the book for all of us, to a certain extent.
“So a lot of gratitude to him, a lot of gratitude to Dr. Jobe for the great surgery. Most of the time, we’re frustrated that young players are getting it, and rightfully so. But maybe today, let’s celebrate the fact that it gave us a few extra pitches.”
John pitched through the 1989 season, finishing his career with the Yankees, for whom he posted a 91-60 record and 3.59 ERA over eight seasons.
Overall, John won 288 games against 231 losses, with a 3.34 career ERA in 760 games (700 starts) for the Yankees, White Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Indians and Athletics.
“The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me and said, ‘Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing,’” John said. “'Whether you make it big in the big leagues or you don’t, you’ll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana.'
“I’ve never forgotten those words. Thank you, and God bless.”