Tommy John, MLB pitcher namesake of elbow surgery, dies at 83

Pitcher Tommy John, who in the 1970s underwent an innovative procedure on his injured pitching arm that would become famous as "Tommy John surgery," died on Aug. 15, 2026 at age 83. In this "Sunday Morning" story that aired Aug. 16, 1981, John talked with correspondent Heywood Hale Broun about his comeback after surgery, and about baseball's other comeback – returning to the field following the major league players' nearly two-month-long strike. [Also appearing are Yankee outfielder Lou Pinella and trainer Gene Monahan.]

John, a legendary MLB pitcher, died Saturday at the age of 83.

The legendary pitcher Tommy John passed away at eighty-three, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. In 1974, he pioneered a surgical technique that revolutionized baseball and has since safeguarded many players' careers. His inspirational return to the mound encouraged others, proving that resilience can lead to greatness. John's contributions continue to resonate, far surpassing individual trophies or Hall of Fame accolades.

The Major League Baseball pitcher had entered into home hospice care following a recurrence of bladder cancer, the New York Yankees and MLB.com reported earlier this month after John issued a public farewell.

The four-time All-Star underwent an experimental surgery in 1974 that helped to extend his career

Tributes poured in on Sunday for Tommy John. The baseball legend known as the "bionic man" has died at age 83. Shanelle Kaul reports from Yankee Stadium.

Tommy John’s name will live on in baseball forever, long after his excellent 26-year major league pitching career ended. John died on Saturday at age 83, and will be long remembered for being the first to undergo the surgery that bears his name. John’s baseball accolades on their own are mind-boggling. He played in 26 […]

Tommy John, who won 288 games during a 26-year big league career and became the first pitcher to successfully return following groundbreaking elbow surgery that later was named…

John pitched in the majors from 1963-89 for six different teams, most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.

Tommy John, the former major league pitcher who was the first to return to the game successfully following pioneering elbow surgery, has died at 83.

A pitcher who recovered from a then-unprecedented elbow surgery to appear in 26 major league seasons, one shy of the record, died.

The baseball world is in mourning amidst the news that 26-year veteran starting pitcher Tommy John passed away on Saturday. The talented lefty was 83 years old. John passed away peacefully at his home in Bradenton, Florida while receiving hospice care. The left-handed hurler had one of the most impressive careers in Major League Baseball...

Tommy John, the pitching great known for the surgery that bears his name, has died at 83

The New York Post remembers former MLB pitcher Tommy John, who has passed away at age 83. While pitching for the Yankees, Tommy John became the first player to undergo the elbow surgery that now carries his name. The lefty pitched for 26 seasons in MLB and his impact on the game transcends the mound...

The left-handed MLB pitcher was 31 years old when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in 1974, an injury that had been a death knell for pitchers' careers up to that point.

The Yankees called John “a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankees fans.”

Four-time all-star left-hander won 288 games, second-most of any pitcher in MLB's modern era not elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tommy John, who had an elbow surgery named after him that changed baseball, dies at 83. John was a Terre Haute native

Tommy John, who had an elbow surgery named after him that changed baseball, dies at 83. John was a Terre Haute native

Tommy John, who won 288 games during a 26-year big league career and became the first pitcher to successfully return following groundbreaking elbow surgery that later was named after him, has died. He was 83.

Tommy John, the namesake of a ligament-replacement surgery that paved a path to recovery for injured baseball players, has died. He was 83.

John won 288 games across his 26-year MLB career.

The lefty made four all-star teams while pitching for the White Sox, Dodgers and Yankees. An innovative procedure extended his career to 26 seasons.

John, in 1974, underwent a then-experimental elbow surgery that would later save the careers of countless pitchers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tommy John, who won 288 games during a 26-year big league career and became the first pitcher to successfully return following groundbreaking elbow surgery that later was named after him, has died. He was 83.

John was first player to undergo pioneering operationNew York Yankees pay tribute to four-time All-StarTommy John, the namesake of a ligament-replacement surgery that paved a path to recovery for injured baseball players, has died. He was 83.TMZ.com reported that the pitcher died at his home in Florida, surrounded by his family, including his wife, Cheryl. John ⁠had recently been in hospice ⁠care. Continue reading...

Longtime major league pitcher Tommy John has passed away at age 83

The former Yankee pitcher who gave his name to the UCL reconstruction surgery passed away on Saturday.

After tearing an elbow ligament, he underwent a risky procedure and returned at his best, changing baseball and giving new hope to injured players.

Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe changed baseball from an operating room in 1974.

Tommy John, the longtime Major League baseball pitcher whose name is forever linked to the groundbreaking elbow surgery that saved his career and those of countless others since, has died, officials said Sunday.

In 1974, the left-hander underwent a surgical procedure that is now commonly known as "Tommy John" or “TJ.”

Tommy John, who ruptured a ligament in his left elbow in 1974, agreed to a radical surgery that revived his career and changed baseball. He pitched for 26 years.

Tommy John, who ruptured a ligament in his left elbow in 1974, agreed to a radical surgery that revived his career and changed baseball. He pitched for 26 years.

Tommy John, a 288-game winner and the namesake of baseball's revolutionary elbow surgery, has died at 83.

One of Tommy John's biggest legacies to MLB was his comeback elbow reconstruction surgery that now bears his name.

One of Tommy John's biggest legacies to MLB was his comeback elbow reconstruction surgery that now bears his name.

What happened to Tommy John? The MLB legend died peacefully at 83 at his Florida home, surrounded by his family. Days earlier, he had been in hospice care and shared a farewell message with Yankees fans. John finished his 26-year career with 288 wins, but his greatest legacy came from returning to baseball after groundbreaking elbow surgery.

His major league career was extended after he became the first player to undergo the elbow surgery that now carries his name.