Tommy John, the namesake for the elbow surgery used by many top MLB players, did not attend the New York Yankees' Old-Timer's Day on Saturday. Instead, the 83-year-old shared a vague message regarding his health from his home in Bradenton, Florida. In a lengthy social media post, John expressed a desire to say goodbye to the friends and fans who followed him throughout his 26-year career, stating, "I will never forget you."

While specific details were not provided, John has previously battled bladder cancer and other ailments. The Yankees organization confirmed he is currently at home. John's namesake surgery, performed in 1974, has since saved the careers of countless pitchers. He credited Dr. Jobe for saving his arm, making it possible to continue pitching for 14 more years.

John finished his career with a record of 288-231 and a 3.34 ERA across 760 appearances. Beyond his eight seasons with the Yankees, where he won 91 games, he pitched for several other franchises including the White Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Guardians, and Athletics.