Baseball legend Tommy John receives hospice care, thanks surgeon for career

Tommy John, the former Major League Baseball pitcher whose name is synonymous with a career-saving elbow surgery, is now receiving hospice care at his Florida home. The 83-year-old is battling a recurrence of bladder cancer.

John, who played 26 seasons with six different teams, including a lengthy tenure with the New York Yankees, shared his farewell message through the Yankees' social media. He expressed profound gratitude to the Yankees organization, the Steinbrenner family, his fans, and particularly Dr. Frank Jobe. "I want to thank Dr. Frank Jobe, who saved my arm and allowed me to continue to throw," John wrote.

His career is forever linked to the groundbreaking elbow ligament reconstruction surgery he underwent in 1974, performed by Dr. Jobe. After missing the entire 1975 season, John made a remarkable comeback. He pitched another 14 seasons, exceeding 200 innings five consecutive times and achieving his first 20-win season in 1977. He continued playing until age 43 in 1989.

The success of his return significantly advanced sports medicine. The 'Tommy John surgery' has since become a standard procedure, offering hope and extended careers to numerous pitchers worldwide. Dr. Jobe, the pioneer behind this procedure, passed away in 2014.

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I want to thank Dr. Frank Jobe, who saved my arm and allowed me to continue to throw.