Tommy John Passes Away

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It is reported today, by many sources, that the great Tommy John has passed away.

Tommy John was 83-years-old.

A Yankee from 1979-1982 and again from 1986-89, Tommy John was a great pitcher who belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Tommy John won 288 games. He is the winningest pitcher who is not in the Hall of Fame.

John pitched for six different franchises, but none longer than the Yankees.

John won 20-games three times. His most dominant period, with the Dodgers and the Yankees came from 1977 through 1980. Over those four years, he pitched to an 80-35, 3.12 record.

Of course, the surgery that has allowed countless pitchers to continue their careers is named for Tommy John. The fact that he came back from that surgery - and revolutionized the game, is, in and of itself, groundbreaking enough to merit inclusion in Cooperstown. Later this week I will re-run one of my articles on Tommy John's Hall of Fame credentials and worthiness.

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Here is the sad part, and the frustrating part, for me. Tommy John will go in the Hall of Fame. He absolutely will. But, he will not be alive to see it. Things like this happen far too often. Far, far, far too often.

Dick Allen reached the hall of Fame, but only after he died.

Ron Santo reached the Hall of Fame, but only after he died.

Buck O'Neil reached the Hall of Fame, but only after he died.

The list goes on and on. It is a shame that this continually happens. And it's a shame that it keeps happening - that these great players do not have the opportunity to live to see the glory they eventually attain.

It is also time for the Yankees to realize that they have some older veterans who deserve to be honored in Monument Park while they are still able to enjoy that honor.

Roy White, 82 years old, certainly deserves to be in Monument Park.

Graig Nettles, who will be 82 on August 20, also deserves to be in Monument Park.