Tommy John, pitcher whose surgery changed baseball, dies at age of 83

• John was first player to undergo pioneering operation

• New York Yankees pay tribute to four-time All-Star

Tommy John, the namesake of a ligament-replacement surgery that paved a path to recovery for injured baseball players, has died. He was 83.

TMZ.com reported that the pitcher died at his home in Florida, surrounded by his family, including his wife, Cheryl. John had recently been in hospice care.