Tommy John, the famed former New York Yankees pitcher who underwent the pioneering elbow surgery in 1974 that has since extended the careers of countless pitchers, released a farewell message to fans on Saturday, August 9th, 2026. The announcement coincided with the Yankees' celebration of Old-Timers’ Day.

At 83 years old, John revealed he has been battling health issues in Florida and expressed gratitude to the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for the opportunity to say goodbye. He thanked all the friends and fans who supported him throughout his 26-year Major League Baseball career.

John's surgery, often referred to as "Tommy John surgery," allowed him to miss the entire 1975 season but return to become a three-time All-Star and win more than 160 games after the operation. His success story has inspired many pitchers and remains a significant milestone in baseball history.

In his message, John recalled advice from his father: "Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing: whether you make it big in the big leagues or you don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana." He concluded with thanks to the fans, saying, "Thank you to all the fans who supported me & my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you. I've never forgotten those words. Thank you & God Bless."

Photos from his career include moments pitching against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium in 1988 and the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 1989.

Sources