Tommy John has passed away at age 83, as per a statement from the Yankees. John had been dealing with bladder cancer, and during a Yankees’ old-timers day event last weekend, John sent a statement to fans that now serves as his farewell.
“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. “Thanks to Dr. [Frank] Jobe, who saved my arm and made it possible for me to continue pitching. 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.”
“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. 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.”
More to come…
