Tommy John Dead, MLB's 'Bionic Man' & Namesake of Career-Saving Surgery Dies at 83 | Just Jared - Celebrity News and Gossip

Tommy John has sadly passed away.

The four-time MLB All-Star died at the age of 83 peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. He was surrounded by family, including his wife Cheryl, per a statement via TMZ.

He has battled bladder cancer and other health challenges in recent years, though it’s unclear what his actual cause of death is at this time. He reportedly entered into hospice care earlier in August.

The MLB legend, best known as “the Bionic Man,” played for 26 seasons between 1963 and 1989 for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Oakland Athletics. He has the second-most wins of any pitcher since 1900 not in the Hall of Fame.

He also notably faced a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the ’70s, and underwent an experimental elbow reconstruction by Dr. Frank Jobe, which went on to become known as Tommy John surgery. He successfully returned to baseball following the surgery.

The procedure has since become common, and reportedly over 35% of MLB pitchers active as of a few years ago received it at some point during their careers.

On the 78th Old-Timers’ Day earlier this month, the Yankees shared an emotional goodbye statement from the former MLB player.

A Letter from Tommy John:

I want to thank the Yankees organization & the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends & fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career.

Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm & 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.

Thank you to all the fans who supported me & my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you.

The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me & 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 Terre Haute, Indiana.”

I’ve never forgotten those words. Thank you & God Bless.

Tommy John (TJ)

A private celebration of life will be held in Florida, and the family is asking for donations to the Duke University Medical Fund.

Our thoughts are with Tommy John‘s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. RIP. We have sadly lost many legends in 2026.

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