Notable reaction to the death of Tommy John, who won 288 games during a 26-year big league career and became the first pitcher to successfully return following groundbreaking elbow surgery that later was named after him:
“I hope people remember how outstanding his career was, and not just being named for the injury that, obviously, we know very well now. I can see his windup, one of my favorite windups to imitate. A great career, and obviously a lasting legacy.” — New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
“The first thing that comes to mind is just how much of a trail blazer he was and what great perseverance he had, kind of venturing into the unknown with the surgery, and really writing the script for how to push through it and overcome it, and ultimately have success afterwards.” — New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, who had Tommy John surgery in 2025.
“Just a great pitcher, he was a man of faith and just a wonderful man. He'll be missed. He should be in the Hall of Fame. I'm going to continue to promote him for that. 288 wins.” — former major league pitcher and New York Mets color commentator Keith Hernandez on SportsNet New York telecast.
“For 50 years his name is mentioned nearly everyday when people talk MLB. Tommy was a wonderful person who competed to the utmost and did what no player had ever done to save his career, in conjunction with the esteemed Dr. Frank Jobe. The HOF is missing Tommy John.” — former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti on X.
—-
“Saddened by the passing of my friend Tommy John, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers to ever play the game. Tommy was a good, humble, and peaceful man who left an incredible mark on baseball and on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.” — Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, on X.
“We pause to remember the totality of his legacy — his competitiveness and skill, his penchant for conversation, his kind and gracious nature, and his stature as an athletic and medical pioneer.” — New York Yankees statement.
“Thank you Tommy John for saving countless pitchers baseball careers, including mine. No words can express gratitude over the risk you took to endure and create what you did. We all look down at our scars daily and are reminded of you. God Bless you and may you Rest In Peace.” — Jeff Urlaub, former Athletics minor league pitcher on X.
“His courage changed baseball, transformed sports medicine and gave generations of injured athletes hope. Few people have shaped my life and career more profoundly. Rest in peace, Tommy. The game will never forget you.” — Dr. Chris Ahmad, head team physician for the New York Yankees and New York City Football Club, on X.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers former pitcher Tommy John praises his late friend, Dr. Frank Jobe during a memorial service at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, April 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle was taken off the physically unable to perform list Sunday, providing hope that he might be able to return from a ruptured right Achilles tendon before the season opener.
The 49ers got good news on the injury front 10 days before the team was set to depart for Australia for a Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 11 with Kittle and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey both back at practice.
“It definitely just gives us energy," offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “It just changes things. You got two Hall of Fame caliber players out there who are back out there and getting their work in. They practice at a high standard, and they lift everybody up. So, it definitely changes your energy a little bit.”
The Niners are scheduled to leave for Australia on Sept. 2 and Kittle said last week that he needed to get practice time in pads before then to determine whether he would make the trip and try to play Week 1.
Kittle ruptured his Achilles on Jan. 11 in a playoff win at Philadelphia and has made an impressive recovery to get back on the field in less than eight months.
Kittle is a two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler who is a key part of San Francisco’s offense as a passing threat and a blocker in the run game. He had 57 catches for 628 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last season.
McCaffrey had missed the past two weeks of practice with what the team had described as “tightness.” After being limited to four games because of injuries in 2024, McCaffrey was an ironman last season. He played 1,010 offensive snaps in the regular season and playoffs — just the ninth running back in the past 20 seasons to top the 1,000 mark — and became the second player in the past decade with at least 450 combined carries and catches.
The 30-year-old McCaffrey hasn’t responded well in the past following his heaviest-use seasons. The previous two times he topped 400 touches — in 2019 with Carolina and 2023 with the 49ers — he was severely hampered by injuries the following season, missing 13 games each in 2020 and 2024.
McCaffrey said the recent time off should be of no concern for the season as it was part of the protocol plan to get him ready.
“Obviously, when you don’t practice, the way the media works now is a firestorm,” he said. “But this was kind of part of the plan from the jump was to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in, kind of come back down, and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration. Our staff’s done a great job of coming up with specific plans. I feel great. I feel fresh, and it’s good to be back out there.”
Star defensive end Nick Bosa remains out of practice with soreness and tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee. Bosa tore his right ACL in Week 3 last season. He started camp on the active roster but has only participated in individual drills before being shut down nearly three weeks ago. The Niners have expressed optimism that he will be ready for Week 1.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey stands on the sideline before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle waves before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) talks with tight end George Kittle during a joint NFL football practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
