RIP - Tommy John

 

Tommy John, who pitched for 6 teams over his 26-year career, passed away on August 15, 2026 at age 83.

John began his career with the Indians in September 1963. He also pitched for the tribe in 1964. 

 

After the season, he was part of a 3-team 8-player trade that landed him with the White Sox. John was a key member of the Sox' rotation for the next 7 seasons. In 1968 he fashioned a 1.98 ERA and was named to his first All-Star team, but it seemed like he could never get out of Gary Peters' and Joel Horlen's shadows. 

 

Following the 1971 season he was traded to the Dodgers for Dick Allen. He played for Los Angeles for 6 seasons, while also missing the 1975 season after having Tommy John surgery. In 1977 he won 20 games for the first time, and finished a distant 2nd to Steve Carlton for the Cy Young award. 

 

John was granted free agency after the 1978 season, and signed with the Yankees. He pitched there for the better part of 4 seasons, winning 20 games twice along with two more All-Star games.

 

He was traded to the Angels in late-August 1982, and pitched there until he was released in June 1985. The Athletics picked him up for the rest of the season. John did not have the success with the Angels and A's that he found with his other 3 teams. 

 

Granted free agency once again after the 1985 season, he returned to the Yankees for his final 4 seasons, until they released him in May 1989. 

 

John appeared in 760 games over 26 seasons, making 700 starts and compiling a 288-231 record while striking out 2245 batters. 

   

Trades: Wheelin' and Dealin' (Jan. 1965)

Another installment in the occasional series about some big trades in the 1960s: 

On January 20, 1965, the White Sox, Indians, and Athletics completed an 8-player, 3-team trade.

Going from Cleveland to Chicago were Tommy John, Johnny Romano, and outfield prospect Tommie Agee.

Chicago sent Fred Talbot, Mike Hershberger, and Jim Landis to the Athletics. The White Sox also sent Camilo Carreon to the Indians.

The Athletics only gave up one player, sending Rocky Colavito to the Indians.

It's easy to assume that Colavito was the biggest name in this deal, since Kansas City got 3 players in return for one. The Chisox gave up 4 players to get 3, while the Indians gave up 3 players to get two.

Although Colavito was the biggest name at the time, Tommy John was the long-term star, playing an additional TWENTY-FOUR seasons for the White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, and Angels. Tommie Agee was a starting outfielder for the White Sox and Mets from 1966-1973, and starred in the 1969 World Series for the Mets. John Romano was Chicago's starting catcher in '65 and '66, before wrapping up his career in 1967 as a reserve with the Cardinals.


The Indians and Athletics didn't fare as well in this deal:

Colavito was washed up by the end of 1966, and finished his career bouncing to the White Sox, Dodgers, and Yankees from 1967-69. Camilo Carreon spent most of '65 and '66, and all of 1967 in the minors before retiring.

Longtime White Sox' center fielder Jim Landis was an A's regular in 1965, then spent 1966 in Cleveland before ending his career in 1967 with several teams. Mike Hershberger played several seasons with the A's before returning to the White Sox for his final season in 1971. Fred Talbot pitched briefly for Kansas City, before moving to the Yankees for several seasons, and popping up on the Seattle Pilots in 1969 (much to Jim Bouton's dismay).


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