Former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Tommy John (83), who left his mark on baseball history with the elbow ligament replacement surgery named after him, "Tommy John surgery," has shared a farewell message with fans.

Reuters reported today (August 9) that John is battling health issues and receiving hospice care at his home in Bradenton, Florida.

The New York Yankees, the team with which John spent the most seasons—eight in total, including the twilight of his career—released his farewell letter.

In the letter, John 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 career."

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

John was a left-handed pitcher who played 26 seasons across six teams, beginning with the Chicago White Sox in 1965 and playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Yankees.

Tommy John's name became a symbol beyond baseball into sports medicine after he underwent surgery in 1974 performed by Dr. Jobe, then the team doctor for the Dodgers.

The surgery, which replaces a damaged elbow ligament with a tendon harvested from another part of the body, was an experimental attempt at the time.

After having a tendon from his right wrist transplanted into his left elbow, John had to sit out the entire 1975 season.

Before the surgery, John made 355 appearances over 12 seasons, recording 124 wins, 106 losses, and a 2.97 ERA. After returning to the mound in 1976, he made 405 appearances, recording 164 wins, 125 losses, and a 3.66 ERA.

He actually came back stronger.

Starting from his return season, he pitched over 200 innings and went on to pitch 200 or more innings in five consecutive seasons. In 1977, he secured his first 20-win season since his debut, completing a full recovery.

The surgery, known as "Tommy John," remains the most definitive treatment today to revive the careers of pitchers with damaged elbow ligaments.

A four-time All-Star selection, John worked as a broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins and the Yankees after retiring.

According to local reports, John has recently experienced a recurrence of bladder cancer.

Dr. Jobe, who saved countless pitchers, passed away in 2014.

Coincidentally, starting pitchers Gerrit Cole of the Yankees and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, both of whom took the mound in the Yankees-Braves game on the 9th, returned after undergoing Tommy John surgery, adding deeper meaning to John's farewell message.

In the game, the Yankees defeated Atlanta 5–4.

Cole earned the win, allowing 2 runs over 7 innings, while Sale took the loss, giving up 3 runs over 6 innings.

Atlanta's South Korean infielder Kim Ha-seong did not play.

(Photo: Getty Images Korea)