NewzLOS ANGELES (AP/WGN) β Tommy John, the first pitcher to successfully return after groundbreaking elbow surgery that was later named after him, has died at the age of 83. He died at his home in Bradenton, Florida, on Saturday night, his agent Mike Maguire told the Associated Press on Sunday. Former major league pitcher Tommy John, the namesake behind the pioneering elbow surgery that prolonged his career for 14 more years, has died at the age of 83.
Tommy John earlier this month wrote a note shared by the Yankees on social media, saying goodbye to everyone, including friends and fans who followed him throughout his career. 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.(Image credit: Damian Dovarganes) Tommy John, the namesake of a revolutionary elbow surgery that has saved thousands of pitchers' careers over the past five decades, has died at the age of 83.
One of Tommy John's biggest legacies to MLB was his comeback elbow reconstruction surgery that now bears his name. Former MLB pitcher Tommy John has died, according to reports.
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