I was saddened to hear of the passing of Tommy John, a Major League Baseball legend who became a very important part of the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs and the history of our organization.
Most people know Tommy John for his incredible Major League career. He was a four time All Star, won 288 games over 26 seasons and pitched in four World Series. His name will forever be connected to the groundbreaking elbow surgery that has allowed countless baseball players and other athletes to continue their careers.
But here in the Mohawk Valley, Tommy John was also part of the DiamondDawgs.
Tommy became involved with our organization during the early years of the DiamondDawgs. He made numerous trips to Little Falls, spent time with our players and coaches, attended games, participated in community events and took a genuine interest in what we were building.
He even stepped onto the field and coached first base for us.
For a summer collegiate baseball team in a small community, having someone of Tommy John’s stature involved was pretty special. But what stood out most was not his Major League resume. It was the fact that he was willing to spend time with our players, talk baseball with fans and be around the organization.
Tommy understood what we were trying to accomplish with the DiamondDawgs. He understood the importance of giving college players an opportunity to play meaningful summer baseball, develop their skills and continue working toward their goals.
In a 2012 interview with Perfect Game, I described Tommy as “a great asset to our organization.”
That was exactly what he was.
But for me, Tommy was more than someone associated with the DiamondDawgs. He was my friend.
Our friendship was built through baseball, the DiamondDawgs and the many conversations we had over the years. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to know Tommy beyond his accomplishments on a baseball field and to see the person behind the name that was known around the world.
Tommy also appreciated the baseball history of the Mohawk Valley and understood what the DiamondDawgs could mean to the community. His involvement helped connect our organization to a much larger baseball world and gave our players the opportunity to interact with someone who had experienced virtually every level of the game.
I will always be grateful that Tommy John was part of the DiamondDawgs story and, more importantly, that I had the opportunity to call him a friend.
There are plenty of stories that could be told about Tommy’s baseball career, but for me, some of the best memories are the ones that happened right here in Little Falls, having him around the team, talking baseball and watching him interact with our players and fans.
His connection to the DiamondDawgs will always be an important part of our organization’s history.
On behalf of the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs, I extend my condolences to Tommy’s family, friends, former teammates, coaches and everyone who had the opportunity to know him throughout his remarkable life in baseball.
Tommy John was a baseball legend. To me, he was also a friend, and I will always be grateful that our paths crossed through the game we both love.
