Tommy John, the former pitcher whose name became synonymous with a revolutionary elbow surgery, died Saturday at the age of 83. His death was mourned by the New York Yankees, for whom he pitched for eight seasons.
"The New York Yankees mourn the passing of Tommy John, who was a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankee fans," the team said in a statement. "While his incredible longevity and post-surgery achievements changed the fortunes and trajectory of countless athletes around the world, it also overshadowed his excellence as a pitcher, which included consecutive 20-win seasons with the Yankees."
The Yankees extended condolences to John's wife, Cheryl, daughter Tamara, and sons Tommy III and Travis, also noting his son Taylor. John had been in hospice care at his home in Bradenton, Fla., and released a farewell letter for Old-Timer's Day the previous weekend.
John's career spanned 26 Major League seasons, during which he amassed 288 wins. He achieved consecutive 20-win seasons with the Yankees in 1979 and 1980. He also appeared in three games of the 1981 World Series, allowing just one run over 13 innings.
Beyond his playing career, John was a medical pioneer as the first pitcher to undergo surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament, a procedure that now bears his name. He also had post-playing career stints as a broadcaster for the Yankees and Twins, and managed the Staten Island Yankees in 2004.