Before the New York Yankees got their 78th Old-Timers’ Day started, former pitcher Tommy John said farewell to the MLB community this weekend.
John, 83, pitched in the MLB for six teams during his career. However, he's best known for his All-Star seasons with the Yankees from 1979-1982. There was concern that a torn UCL would end his career in 1974, but he successfully recovered from surgery and returned to his elite form - hence why the procedure is now called "Tommy John" surgery.
Unfortunately, John has been battling health issues for quite a while now. That being said, he penned a goodbye letter that was shared by the Yankees this Saturday.
"Thank you to all the fans who supported me & my teammates for 26 years," John said. "I will never forget you. The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me & 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 & God Bless."
Prayers pouring in for Tommy John.
Immediately after the Yankees shared this letter on social media, MLB fans and reporters responded with kind words about John.
"This is ominous and extremely sad," Mets radio voice Howie Rose said. "I always enjoyed talking to Tommy. He’s a classy and entertaining man. Prayers up."
"I covered Tommy John when he coached baseball at Westminster Academy in South Florida. One of the nicest people who never treated me as a kid despite being such a legend. Wish him and his family all the best," Michael Russo of The Athletic wrote.
"Prayers to Tommy John, who faced more than his fair share of hardship in life, but always carried himself with the same remarkable grace evident in these words below," one person said.
"I’ll say it louder for those in the back of the room: Tommy John should be in the Hall of Fame. 288 wins and pioneered the surgery that has literally changed baseball history. And a good man on top of it all," another person replied. "God bless you, TJ."
Our thoughts are with Tommy John and his loved ones.
