Tommy John, the Major League Baseball pitcher whose pioneering ulnar collateral ligament repair became universally known as Tommy John surgery, died at the age of 83 at his home in Bradenton, Florida, where he had been receiving hospice care. Both the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, two of his former clubs, issued statements following his death.
Tommy John, MLB pitcher who lent his name to elbow surgery, dies at 83
Tommy John, the Major League Baseball pitcher whose pioneering ulnar collateral ligament repair became universally known as Tommy John surgery, died at the age of 83 at his home in Bradenton, Florida, where he had been receiving hospice care. Both the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, two of his former clubs, issued statements following his death.
According to the New York Post, John died on Saturday night. The Japan Times reported the death on August 17, 2026.
John had been in hospice care at his Bradenton home following a recurrence of bladder cancer, according to the Japan Times. The New York Post also noted he was in hospice care at that location.
According to the New York Post, John released a farewell letter from hospice care for Old-Timer's Day the weekend before his death.
The Yankees issued a formal statement memorializing John, describing him as 'a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankee fans.' The statement credited his post-surgery achievements with changing 'the fortunes and trajectory of countless athletes around the world,' while also noting that distinction 'overshadowed his excellence as a pitcher, which included consecutive 20-win seasons with the Yankees.'
The Yankees statement extended condolences to his family, including his wife Cheryl, daughter Tamara, sons Tommy III and Travis, and also named his son Taylor.
Dodgers president Stan Kasten issued a statement saying, 'We are saddened to hear the news of Tommy John's passing today,' according to the Japan Times.
John is identified in both sources as the first pitcher to undergo surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament — the procedure that now bears his name and has since been used to preserve the careers of many pitchers.
- The full text of John's farewell letter released ahead of Old-Timer's Day is not reproduced in either source.
- The specific date of birth and full career statistics beyond consecutive 20-win seasons with the Yankees are not established by these sources.
- The nature or extent of John's bladder cancer recurrence and the timeline of his illness are not detailed.
- Statements or responses from John's family are not included in either source.
- The New York Post article appears to be cut off; any additional details it may have contained about John's career or other tributes are unavailable.
- No comment from John's medical team or from the broader baseball community beyond the Yankees and Dodgers is included.
- The Japan Times — original — by The Japan Times
- New York Post — by Ethan Sears
Read the original at The Japan Times