Former Yankees pitcher Tommy John wrote an emotional goodbye to baseball fans in what may be his final days in hospice care.
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John, 83, began the letter by thanking the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for the platform to bid farewell. The four-time All-Star announced in 2024 that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
"I want to thank the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everybody. Along with the friends and family who followed me throughout my 26-year career," John wrote.
On this 78th Old-Timers? Day, Tommy John shares a message to his fans, former teammates, and the Yankees organization as he battles health issues from his home in Bradenton, Florida. pic.twitter.com/3lKUWHoaw0
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
Tommy John Writes Heartfelt Message From Hospice
John also thanked the doctor who performed his career-saving elbow procedure that later became known as "Tommy John surgery."
"Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm and made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today."
John concluded with a touching memory he shared with his father.
"The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me and 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 Tere Haute, Indiana.' I'll never forget those words. Thank you, and God bless."
John played a whopping 26 seasons in the Majors, the second-most in history. Only Nolan Ryan (27) and Cap Anson (27) amassed more seasons in the Majors.
Across his storied career, John earned 288 wins. Only 24 pitchers in history achieved more.
While most athletes peak in their 20s, John enjoyed his best Major League seasons during his mid-30s. John earned three of his four All-Star selections from ages 35 to 37.
In 1979, John finished as the runner-up for the Most Valuable Player and Cy Young awards. That season, he led the Yankees in wins, going 21-9 with 111 strikeouts across 36 starts.
John spent eight of his 26 MLB seasons with the New York Yankees.
