NEW YORK — Tommy John, the former pitcher who in 1974 underwent an innovative surgical procedure on his elbow that is now part of his legacy, penned a farewell letter posted by the New York Yankees on Saturday.

The 83-year-old has been dealing with “health issues,” the team said in a social media post.

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

On this 78th Old-Timers’ Day, Tommy John shares a message to his fans, former teammates, and the Yankees organization as he battles health issues from his home in Bradenton, Florida. pic.twitter.com/3lKUWHoaw0

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 8, 2026

John pitched for six teams over his lengthy MLB career, which included eight years with the Yankees, seven with the White Sox, six with the Dodgers, four with the Angels and three combined seasons with Cleveland and Oakland.

He started 700 games and had a career that spanned generations. He is forever linked with the 1974 surgery performed by Dr. Frank Jobe that would go on to change the game forever. Jobe, whom John acknowledged in his letter, died in 2014.

John was the first pitcher to have the surgery performed on his elbow, which is now commonly known as Tommy John surgery or TJ. It extended his career for several years.

Following his retirement at age 46, John went on to a broadcasting and coaching career at the collegiate and minor-league levels.

Just last week, Bucky Dent, a teammate of John’s with the Yankees, was notified of John’s poor health and went to visit his longtime friend.

“I got to spend a couple hours with him,” Dent said. “Just talked baseball. He was doing alright. It’s difficult. I just wanted to spend time with him.”

Dent was at Yankee Stadium for the 78th Old-Timers’ Day, an event in which John has previously participated. Dent said John’s health was a topic of conversation among attendees.

“He pitched a long time, and had a surgery named after him,” Dent said. “He’s a guy that went out there and did the job. … My heart goes out to him.”

John had previously been diagnosed with bladder cancer; he has also dealt with coronavirus and suffered blood clots in his lungs. The specifics of his current health condition were not immediately clear.

“The day I left for my first job as a pitcher,” John wrote in his letter, “my father looked at me and said, ‘Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing: whether you make it 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 and God bless.”

There has been little time to waste following a period of dramatic change at the club.

Former head coach Eddie Howe has moved on while key players Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have all left in the last year.

Gallows humour gripped some supporters who made the trip after they adapted a chant which once featured the names of Guimaraes and Isak, who are now with Arsenal and Liverpool.

“We’ve got someone in the middle,” they sang. “He knows exactly what we need. [Sven] Botman at the back, someone in attack, Newcastle are going to win the Premier League.”

But it is not hard to imagine those blanks being filled in as a new generation steps up.

The average age of the squad has been dramatically lowered and, on Saturday, forward Harvey Barnes was the oldest starter at the age of 28.

It felt like a potential sign of things to come as goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, 24, midfielder Aladji Bamba, 20 and forward Toure, 20, made their debuts while 18-year-old Steur impressed from the bench.

Jaissle has a history of developing young players at RB Salzburg, which was a big draw for Newcastle, and he knows better than most what they need.

“Time is the key,” Jaissle said. “They’re young lads. It’s never going to be easy in football, especially at the highest level, but we’re here to do that.”

Malick Thiaw was among the elder statesmen as he led the side out as captain on his 25th birthday and this side will certainly need youthful vigour to play Jaissle’s intense brand of football.

He was a vocal presence throughout on Saturday, as he urged his side up the field, and rarely stood within the markings of his technical area.

He was even running down the touchline in tandem with his players as they advanced on goal at times.

Just as there is a fine balance on the field, so, too is there one off it.

Newcastle are in the market for additional experience, particularly in the middle of the park, and veterans Dan Burn and Fabian Schar will remain important voices in the dressing room.

But Jaissle has also shown the first sign of a ruthless streak.

Nick Pope was a pivotal figure under his predecessor, but the German left the 34-year-old out of the squad altogether against Valencia.

“I had a talk with Nick,” Jaissle said. “I really appreciate what he did in his career so far.

“He knows exactly the situation right now and we need to deal with it in the best possible way, but I always appreciate the player and the human being behind.”

It has been a whirlwind first week in Spain, following a series of double sessions, as Jaissle now returns Newcastle for the first time as the club’s head coach.

The 38-year-old already has a landmark in mind to see before he is formally unveiled at St James’ Park next week.

“For sure I will be visiting the stadium and getting my first impressions,” he said.