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NEW YORK - Battling a health issue, Tommy John shared a heartfelt message to his fans, former teammates and the Yankees on Old-Timer's Day in the Bronx.
"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.''
Per MLB.com, the legendary left-hander, 83, was recently treated for a recurrence of bladder cancer near his Bradenton, Fla. home.
John's pitching career was revived in 1974 by revolutionary reconstructive elbow surgery innovated by Dr. Frank Jobe, using a ligament from the pitcher's right wrist to repair his ulnar collateral ligament.
Today, "Tommy John surgery'' is a staple of the game; Sunday's Yankees starter Gerrit Cole completed his 14th start Saturday following rehab from his surgery, earning a 5-4 win against the Braves.
Following the procedure, while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, John pitched in another 405 games, including two Bronx tenures.
John retired at 46, after the 1989 season with the Yankees, posting a career record of 288-231 and a 3.34 ERA.
In his statement, John thanked Dr. Jobe, "who saved my arm and made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.''
Thanking the fans and teammates who supported him, John wrote, "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 in the big leagues or don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana.
"I've never forgotten those words,'' John said in his statement, concluding with "thank you and God bless.''
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tommy John shares emotional message on Yankees' Old-Timer's Day
Continue reading...
"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.''
Per MLB.com, the legendary left-hander, 83, was recently treated for a recurrence of bladder cancer near his Bradenton, Fla. home.
John's pitching career was revived in 1974 by revolutionary reconstructive elbow surgery innovated by Dr. Frank Jobe, using a ligament from the pitcher's right wrist to repair his ulnar collateral ligament.
Today, "Tommy John surgery'' is a staple of the game; Sunday's Yankees starter Gerrit Cole completed his 14th start Saturday following rehab from his surgery, earning a 5-4 win against the Braves.
Following the procedure, while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, John pitched in another 405 games, including two Bronx tenures.
John retired at 46, after the 1989 season with the Yankees, posting a career record of 288-231 and a 3.34 ERA.
In his statement, John thanked Dr. Jobe, "who saved my arm and made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.''
Thanking the fans and teammates who supported him, John wrote, "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 in the big leagues or don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana.
"I've never forgotten those words,'' John said in his statement, concluding with "thank you and God bless.''
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tommy John shares emotional message on Yankees' Old-Timer's Day
Continue reading...
