Tommy John, Namesake of 'Tommy John Surgery,' Dies at 83 with 288 MLB Career Wins

Tommy John, the Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher with 288 career wins whose name became synonymous with the elbow ligament reconstruction surgery that has saved the careers of countless pitchers, has passed away at the age of 83.

The Associated Press reported on the 16th (local time) that John passed away on the night of the 15th at his home in Bradenton, Florida.

John, who had been receiving hospice care due to worsening health, left a farewell letter to fans through the New York Yankees on the 8th.

The Yankees are the team where John spent the most seasons—eight—including the twilight of his playing career.

In the letter, he stated, "I want to thank the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for giving me the opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, as well as all the friends and fans who watched over me during my 26-year playing career."

He added, "I am grateful to Dr. Frank Jobe, who saved my arm and allowed me to keep pitching."

John debuted in 1963 with the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) and played 26 seasons across six teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Yankees, finishing with a career record of 288 wins, 231 losses, and a 3.34 ERA.

He was selected as an All-Star four times and recorded 2,245 career strikeouts.

When John tore the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow in 1974 while playing for the Dodgers, he underwent an experimental surgery performed by team physician Dr. Jobe, who grafted a tendon harvested from John's right forearm onto the damaged ligament.

Dr. Jobe had estimated the success rate of the surgery at one in a hundred, but John became the first pitcher to return to MLB after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery.

Having missed the entire 1975 season, John returned to the mound in 1976.

Having secured 124 wins prior to the surgery, he added 164 more wins after his return, achieving his first 20-win season in 1977.

The success of the surgery is also evident in his records.

Before the surgery, John recorded 124 wins, 106 losses, and a 2.97 ERA across 355 appearances over 12 seasons; after returning in 1976, he posted 164 wins, 125 losses, and a 3.66 ERA in 405 games.

Dr. Jobe, who helped numerous pitchers revive their careers, passed away in 2014.

Following his retirement, John also worked as a broadcast analyst for the Minnesota Twins and the Yankees.

In a memorial statement released on the 16th, the Yankees said, "While John's remarkably long career and post-surgery achievements changed the destiny and path of countless players worldwide, his exceptional brilliance as a pitcher was sometimes overshadowed. We remember his entire legacy, including his stature as a pioneer in sports and medicine."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.