17 hours ago17 hr Typing this with one hand and unfortunately, I can't do something on Tommy. Passed away today bladder cancer. He was 83.I grew up watching him and then had the chance to meet and talk with him when Steibrenner brought the Yankees to Grambling in 87 if I remember right for an exhibition game. I was working in TV then and we covered it. John got the start for the Yankees. He's the last of the great Sox pitchers of the 1960's who made the All-Star Team. Him, Ray Herbert, Gary Peters, Juan Pizarro and Joe Horlen.This from my interview with J.C. Martin:ML: Tommy John (1965-1971.) Won 14 games both in 1965 and 1966. Member of the 1968 All- Star team. Sox record 82-80 but overall in his career won 288 games.)JCM: "He was a fun guy. He was a pleasure to catch because he only had one pitch, an 82 mile an hour sinker. Guys on the other team would see him and be yelling ‘go warm up’ because they couldn’t believe he was throwing that softly. He’d throw 20 ground ball outs a game. He threw more "worm killers" (Author’s Note: ground balls) then anybody I’d ever seen.And of course there was this:August 22, 1968 - In Detroit, White Sox pitcher Tommy John was attacked by the Tigers Dick McAuliffe.McAuliffe, who made the final out in Joe Horlen’s no-hitter in 1967, walked in the third inning then attacked John while going down the baseline. John had a 3-2 pitch sail over McAuliffe’s head just moments before.As the benches cleared McAuliffe and John wrestled near the mound, during it McAuliffe’s knee struck John’s shoulder damaging it so badly that he went on the disabled list and was lost for the year with a separation. He was 10-5 with an ERA of 1.98 at the time he was hurt. McAuliffe was suspended for only five games.He of course was traded for Dick Allen.Hope the Sox honor him the next homestand and that he gets into the Hall of Fame.
17 hours ago17 hr 28 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:Typing this with one hand and unfortunately, I can't do something on Tommy. Passed away today bladder cancer. He was 83.I grew up watching him and then had the chance to meet and talk with him when Steibrenner brought the Yankees to Grambling in 87 if I remember right for an exhibition game. I was working in TV then and we covered it. John got the start for the Yankees. He's the last of the great Sox pitchers of the 1960's who made the All-Star Team. Him, Ray Herbert, Gary Peters, Juan Pizarro and Joe Horlen.This from my interview with J.C. Martin:ML: Tommy John (1965-1971.) Won 14 games both in 1965 and 1966. Member of the 1968 All- Star team. Sox record 82-80 but overall in his career won 288 games.)JCM: "He was a fun guy. He was a pleasure to catch because he only had one pitch, an 82 mile an hour sinker. Guys on the other team would see him and be yelling ‘go warm up’ because they couldn’t believe he was throwing that softly. He’d throw 20 ground ball outs a game. He threw more "worm killers" (Author’s Note: ground balls) then anybody I’d ever seen.And of course there was this:August 22, 1968 - In Detroit, White Sox pitcher Tommy John was attacked by the Tigers Dick McAuliffe.McAuliffe, who made the final out in Joe Horlen’s no-hitter in 1967, walked in the third inning then attacked John while going down the baseline. John had a 3-2 pitch sail over McAuliffe’s head just moments before.As the benches cleared McAuliffe and John wrestled near the mound, during it McAuliffe’s knee struck John’s shoulder damaging it so badly that he went on the disabled list and was lost for the year with a separation. He was 10-5 with an ERA of 1.98 at the time he was hurt. McAuliffe was suspended for only five games.He of course was traded for Dick Allen.Hope the Sox honor him the next homestand and that he gets into the Hall of Fame.I used to imiitate his motion when playing tape ball in front of our house as a kid. I was the only lefty in my group of friends and my kid brother.Wilbur Wood was my other alter ego. I honestly think that's my favorite memory as a kid. Except Lisa Correll. wil
15 hours ago15 hr I remember him pitching for our Sox. He is remembered for the surgery, but he was damn good pitcher too.
15 hours ago15 hr He had a long successful career. I was sorry to see him leave the White Sox. Another member of the 1970 White Sox ( my first year of becoming a Sox fan) to pass away. Always makes me sad.
13 hours ago13 hr 1 hour ago, Falstaff said:RIP Tommy.I remember when the Sox traded him to the Dodgers for Dick Allen.Along with Steve Huntz.
13 hours ago13 hr Author 18 minutes ago, South Side Fireworks Man said:Along with Steve Huntz.Dodgers also wanted Terry Forster but Roland Hemond refused to include him in the deal.
1 hour ago1 hr Tommy had 288 wins.He should be in HOF.Nobody will get to that number again in today's baseball.He was Buehrle with longer career.Over 25 % of today's active pitchers have had the surgery.Jobe should also be in HOF.
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