MLB legend Tommy John dies at 83 after cancer battle

Tommy John, the Major League Baseball pitcher whose name became synonymous with a revolutionary elbow surgery, has died at 83. He passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, surrounded by his wife Cheryl and family, his agent Mike Maguire said, as reported by TMZ.com. MLB.com reported that John had recently undergone treatment for a recurrence of bladder cancer. The exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, but John had revealed in 2024 that he was battling bladder cancer, according to the Times of India.

John's death came days after the New York Yankees shared a farewell letter from him on social media during Old-Timers' Day. In the letter, John thanked Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed the experimental elbow reconstruction in 1974 after John tore his ulnar collateral ligament. The procedure, which replaced the damaged ligament with a tendon from his wrist, later became known as Tommy John surgery. John missed the 1975 season but returned to win 164 games after the operation.

John played 26 MLB seasons, finishing with 288 wins, a 3.34 ERA, and four All-Star selections. His family will hold a private celebration of life in Florida and has requested donations to the Duke University Medical Fund in lieu of flowers.