Tommy John, the former Major League Baseball pitcher whose 1974 elbow reconstruction was followed by a landmark comeback, died Aug. 15, 2026, at 83, TMZ reported Aug. 16. A statement from his agent, Mike Maguire, described a peaceful passing at John’s home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, surrounded by his wife, Cheryl, and family.
John made his Major League debut on Sept. 6, 1963, and became an All-Star in 1968. In 1974, a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow led him to undergo experimental reconstruction surgery performed by Dr. Frank Jobe. John missed the 1975 season, then returned to the mound.
The comeback produced sustained results. John won 20 games in 1977, ranking third in the National League. He made three more All-Star teams, in 1978, 1979 and 1980, bringing his career total to four selections.
John won 164 more games after the reconstruction. The procedure ultimately became known around the world as Tommy John surgery. He retired in 1989 with 288 victories and a 3.34 earned-run average, closing a major-league career that had continued for more than two decades after his debut.
