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Sam Garcia

By Sam Garcia

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The New York Yankees held their 78th annual Old-Timer's Day on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, honoring former franchise legends and World Series champions.

Former Yankees starting pitcher Tommy John is currently in hospice care after a long battle with bladder cancer. Although he did not attend the event, John shared an emotional farewell message to the Yankees organization and its fans on Saturday.

John famously underwent the first-ever Tommy John surgery in 1974, and that procedure has now saved the arms of multiple star pitchers today. John thanked his surgeon along with former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and Yankees fans in his message.

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"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."

Tommy John #25 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game circa 1987 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. John played for the Yankees from 1979-82 and 1986-89.

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John's Career With the Yankees

John had two stints with the Yankees from 1979-1982 then again from 1986-1989. He finished his career with New York in 1989 as a four-time All-Star.

"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."

In addition to playing for the Yankees, John played for the Angels, Athletics, Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.

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