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Yankees announce Tommy John absent from Old Timers Day due to health issues

9 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 9, 2026, 2:39 AM

Last updated Aug 9, 2026

Yankees announce Tommy John absent from Old Timers Day due to health issues
Summary

The New York Yankees revealed that former pitcher Tommy John was absent from their annual Old Timers’ Day on August 8 due to serious health concerns. In a letter shared by the team, the 83-year-old reflected on his career and thanked fans, attributing his longevity to the ligament-replacement surgery made famous by his name. John, who played for the Yankees from 1979-82 and 1986-89, expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his career. He faced significant health challenges, including complications from COVID-19, in the previous years, emphasizing the importance of his relationship with fans and teammates.

Source Links
NBC Newsnj.comYahoo SportsESPNMLB.comUSA Today
Status Watch
  • •Tommy John, 83, missing from Old Timers’ Day due to health issues.
  • •John thanked fans in a letter regarding his career.
  • •He played for the Yankees between 1979-82 and 1986-89.
  • •John is known for pioneering ligament-replacement surgery.
  • •He faced severe health issues, including COVID-19 complications.
Latest Updates
  • 2:32 PMNBC News — Tommy John, ex-Yankees pitcher and namesake of career-saving surgery, says goodbye amid health issues - NBC News
  • 11:15 AMnj.com — Ailing Tommy John says goodbye to Yankees in shocking note to Old Timers - NJ.com
  • 2:39 AMYahoo Sports — Tommy John shares emotional message on Yankees' Old-Timer's Day
  • 11:16 PMYahoo Sports — Saying 'goodbye': An ailing Tommy John writes letter posted by Yankees on social media
  • 8:56 PMESPN — Tommy John bids farewell: 'Will never forget you'
  • 8:14 PMMLB.com — Tommy John shares message thanking fans and teammates as he battles health issues - MLB.com
  • 8:14 PMYahoo Sports — Tommy John says ‘goodbye’ on Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day amid health battle
  • 7:38 PMUSA Today — Tommy John says goodbye: Baseball icon shares emotional message on Yankees Old-Timers' Day - USA Today
What they're saying
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Terre Haute legend Tommy John, who's been battling illness for quite some time, wrote a letter to the fans that the New York Yankees posted on social media Saturday as part of their 78th Old-Timers' Day. John, 83, was unable to attend the live festivities at Yankee Stadium. He has lived in Florida with his wife Cheryl for the last few years. "A Letter from Tommy John" started with "I want to ...

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NEW YORK — Tommy John bid an emotional farewell to Yankees fans before Old-Timers’ Day, issuing a statement through the team as he battles health issues from his Florida home. Saturday’s message did not specify John’s condition, but in 2024, the former left-hander announced he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. “I want to thank the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for ...

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NEW YORK – Tommy John, whose Major League pitching career was extended by a revolutionary elbow procedure that now carries his name, penned an emotional statement addressing the Yankees and their fans ahead of Saturday’s Old-Timers’ Day festivities at Yankee …

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