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

New York Yankees social media / The New York Times · Aug 7 · Tommy John, 83, sends farewell message as legendary pitcher battles health issues

“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.”

Fox News · Aug 7 · Tommy John, 83, sends farewell message as legendary pitcher battles health issues

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

Fox News · Aug 7 · Tommy John, 83, sends farewell message as legendary pitcher battles health issues

“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.'”

Fox News · Aug 7 · Tommy John, 83, sends farewell message as legendary pitcher battles health issues

“It's amazing how many careers that surgery has saved. It was just an experimental surgery. I would have tried many things to come back and pitch.”

USA Today · Dec 31 · Tommy John, 83, sends farewell message as legendary pitcher battles health issues

“I asked Frank about that. He was such a humble guy, but he told me that he was tired of saying 'ulnar collateral ligament replacement surgery with the palmaris longus tendon.' It was easier for him to say, 'Oh, the surgery I performed on Tommy John.'”

USA Today · Dec 31 · Tommy John, 83, sends farewell message as legendary pitcher battles health issues