Former Yankees pitcher Tommy John shares emotional message as he deals with health issues

With the New York Yankees currently battling the Atlanta Braves this weekend, the team also puts notice on the 78th Old-Timers’ Day on Saturday. Though fans look forward to the Yankees’ playoff push as the season winds down, they are also taking in the message sent by former player Tommy John.

If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the first pitcher to have the groundbreaking surgery of having his UCL reconstructed in his elbow in 1974, which has been named Tommy John surgery.  He would send a message on Saturday as he’s battling health issues.

John started the statement by saying he wants to thank the Yankees “for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends & fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career.”

“Thanks to Dr. [Frank] Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching,” John wrote. “That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.”

Former Yankees pitcher Tommy John has message for fans

Nicknamed “The Bionic Man,” John would have a productive career in the MLB, playing from 1963 to 1989, with eight of them with the Yankees from 1979 to 1982 and then from 1986 to 1989. The 83-year-old would finish off his statement by saying he will “never forget” the fans and teammates of his and mentioned a message that his father told him many years ago.

“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.”

At any rate, there’s no denying that John’s name will be remembered forever in the baseball world.

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