Legendary MLB pitcher Tommy John died Saturday at the age of 83.
John played 26 seasons in the MLB, the third-most in league history behind Nolan Ryan’s and Cap Anson’s 27 seasons, according to ESPN. He played for six teams: Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels and Oakland Athletics.
Baseball fans unfamiliar with John’s career know — and fear — his name when they see it pop up in their phone’s notifications. John was the first to undergo an experimental ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery by Dr. Frank Jobe.
It was a “100-1 shot that it would permit him to continue pitching,” according to USA Today. Jobe “removed a tendon from John’s wrist, drilled four holes in the ulna and humerus bones of his left elbow, and grafted the tendons together, holding them in place with anchors.”
The surgery was nicknamed “Tommy John” and has extended the careers of several players, some of which paid tribute to him following his death.
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole underwent Tommy John surgery last year. Following the Yankees’ 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, he praised John.
“I think the first thing that comes to mind is how much of a trailblazer he was and what great perseverance he had, venturing into the unknown with the surgery and really writing the book, writing the script for how to push through it and overcome it and ultimately have success afterwards,” Cole said, per the New York Post.
How social media reacted to Tommy John’s death
The A’s are saddened by the passing of Tommy John. Though his time with the organization was brief, his impact on the game of baseball was monumental. We send our condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/1K3AJdRM2s
— Athletics (@Athletics) August 16, 2026
The Hall of Fame remembers Tommy John, who passed away Saturday at the age of 83.
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) August 16, 2026
John won 288 games over his 26-year career, and the UCL surgery that bears his name extended countless careers – including his own.
He was honored at the 2013 Awards Presentation in Cooperstown. pic.twitter.com/1cPwm2rX4r
In honor of the late great Tommy John, raise ur hand if you had the surgery 🙋🏼♂️ https://t.co/lzcY6RulTX
— Zack Cozart (@zack_cozart) August 17, 2026
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy John, a veteran of 26 MLB seasons who helped revolutionize recovery from pitching injuries in the 1970s.
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2026
John broke in with Cleveland as a 20-year-old in 1963 and made his last appearance for the Yankees at age 46 in 1989, also… pic.twitter.com/z4bB9I31vL
🚨 HONORING THE GREAT TOMMY JOHN ⚾️
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) August 17, 2026
Tommy John, the longtime MLB pitcher whose name is forever linked to the groundbreaking elbow surgery that saved his career and those of countless others since, has died.
May God rest his soul and bring comfort to his family. https://t.co/Tz8THVLdHLpic.twitter.com/kso925FQAY
STATEMENT FROM THE NEW YORK YANKEES:
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 16, 2026
“The New York Yankees mourn the passing of Tommy John, who was a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankees fans. While his incredible longevity and post-surgery achievements changed the fortunes… pic.twitter.com/p6ndlBxUTb
The Los Angeles Dodgers would like to express our sadness over the passing of Tommy John, who died Saturday at the age of 83. Thanks in no small part to the pioneering surgery that bears his name, Tommy’s extraordinary career encompassed 26 seasons and 288 career victories. We… pic.twitter.com/gRr4JpWaVj
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 16, 2026
The Angels join the baseball community in mourning the loss of former pitcher Tommy John.
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 16, 2026
His remarkable career and enduring impact on the game will be felt for generations, as the groundbreaking surgery that bears his name has helped prolong the careers of countless players… pic.twitter.com/0vJA0fWm9q
The White Sox send our condolences to the family, friends and fans of 4x MLB All-Star Tommy John, who has passed away at 83.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 16, 2026
John appeared in in 237 games (219 starts) over seven seasons with the White Sox from 1965-1971. He represented the White Sox at the 1968 All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/XQxAthI665
Statements from Don Mattingly and Willie Randolph on the passing of Tommy John: pic.twitter.com/k5cwi0u8vv
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 16, 2026
Thank you Tommy John for saving countless pitchers baseball careers, including mine. No words can express gratitude over the risk you took to endure and create what you did. We all look down at our scars daily and are reminded of you. God Bless you and may you Rest In Peace.
— Jeff Urlaub (@JeffUrlaub) August 16, 2026
For 50 years his name is mentioned nearly everyday when people talk MLB.
— Ned Colletti (@realnedcolletti) August 16, 2026
Tommy was a wonderful person who competed to the utmost and did what no player had ever done to save his career, in conjunction with the esteemed Dr. Frank Jobe.
The HOF is missing Tommy John. https://t.co/RFJY5K46x5