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Signed Letters Honoring Tommy John
5 Lots
 Lot 39. George Steinbrenner Signed Letter Praising Tommy John. In a typed Sept. 12, 1984 letter on his New York Yankees’ letterhead, Steinbrenner recommend John for an award from the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge. In part, he writes, “I think Tommy John, not only as a competitor on the ball field, but as a person and a citizen, exemplifies the highest level of citizenship, conduct and religious belief of perhaps any athlete I have known.” He asserts that he is well qualified to judge whether John deserves such an award because “at times Tommy and I have been in somewhat adversarial positions with each other. But when I put petty things aside, and stop to consider the values, beliefs and actions of the man, he is an exceptional young man.” He also says that since elbow surgery, John “has probably been one of the 10 most-effective pitchers in the American League.” Steinbrenner’s signature at the close of this uncommon letter of praise is a 10. Authentication by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $390.
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 Lot 40. Tommy Lasorda Letter Recommending Tommy John for a Freedom Foundations Award. In a typed, signed 1984 letter on Dodgers’ stationery, Lasorda describes John as “a perfect example of what we look for in a man. He is a rare combination of a true professional and a gracious man.” The Dodgers’ manager also writes that John “is as competitive as anyone you will find” and that he “was as gracious after a loss as he was after a win.” In 1984, the Orange County Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation nominated John for a Freedoms Foundation Award in recognition of his exemplary citizenship and community service. Lasorda’s signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is mint 9.
Winning Bid $100.
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 Lot 41. Letter Signed by Tommy John Surgeon Frank Jobe, Photo with Jobe Signed by John. Dr. Jobe performed the revolutionary surgery that averted a premature end to John’s career. On Sept. 25, 1974, he removed the injured ulnar collateral ligament from John’s pitching arm and replaced it with a tendon from his right forearm. After 18 difficult months of recovery and rehabilitation, John became the first professional athlete to receive the surgery. Subsequently, the procedure became known as “Tommy John Surgery.” In a Sept. 4, 1984 letter, Dr. Jobe supports John for a Freedoms Foundation Award. He was nominated for the award by the Orange County Chapter of the foundation. In the letter, Jobe credits John for the success of the surgery: “Even though the operation was a good one, the results wouldn’t have been successful without his long hours of work and, most of all, his optimistic attitude. Many athletes take their physical prowess for granted and, when they sustain a serious injury, are unable to apply themselves to the tedious work of rehabilitation necessary if they are to reattain their previous level of competence. This is not true of Tommy John; he never wavered in his determination.” He also credits John with helping “us in developing appropriate programs for other players with this problem.” Jobe’s signature at the close of the two-page letter is gem mint 10. With the letter is an 8” x 10” color photo of Jobe with John and Orel Hersheiser. Jobe performed rotator cuff surgery on Hersheiser. John placed a large autograph that rates a 10 on the photo. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs.
Winning Bid $1,491.
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 Lot 42. Gene Autry Signed Letter Supporting Tommy John for a Freedoms Foundation Award. John was nominated for an award in 1984 by the Orange County Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation in recognition of his responsible citizenship and community service. In the Sept. 26, 1984 typed letter on California Angels’ stationery, Autry commends John as “a true gentleman, both on and off the field, a fine family man, and a responsible citizen.” He added that “I think he totally represents a fine upstanding American citizen.” Autry’s signature is a large, bold 10 authenticated by Kevin Keating. The “Singing Cowboy” owned the Angels from 1961-97. John played for Autry from 1982-85.
Winning Bid $148.
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 Lot 43. 16 Letters Signed by Baseball and Other Figures Supporting John’s Award Nomination. In 1984, the Orange County Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation nominated Tommy for a Freedoms Foundation Award. Each year, the organization honors Americans from all walks of life who set examples in responsible citizenship, free enterprise education and long-term civic accomplishment. Tommy’s life and his accomplishments are extolled in letters of support by Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, New York Yankees Vice President and General Manager Clyde King, Carl Erskine, Al Rosen (secretarial signature) and various other leaders. A number of religious leaders supported the nomination, including Robert Schuller (“Hour of Power”) and religious author, pastor and executive O. S. Hawkins. Other letters are signed by Dave Anderson, “New York Times” sports columnist; Will Grimsley, special correspondent for the Associated Press; John Myers, U.S. Congressman representing Indiana’s 7th District; Lareau Londquist, president of the Institute of Holy Land Studies; Richard G. Landini, president of Indiana State University, and Hugh A. Barker, chairman of Public Service Indiana. In addition, there is one-page statement signed by John outlining his philosophy of life. The Kuhn letter is on Office of the Commissioner stationery, and the King letter, on Yankees’ letterhead. Erskine’s signature is on 1st National Bank of Madison County (IN) letterhead. The autographs, almost all mint 9s or gem mint 10s, have been authenticated by Kevin Keating. John’s signature is a large, bold 10. The letters are presented in a 13” x 15” leather portfolio with John’s name on the front. The portfolio also contains articles on John and photos of his family. In addition, there is a 1984 letter from the National Father’s Day Committee recognizing John as a recipient of a “Father of the Year” Award. A newspaper photo shows him at award ceremonies with other awardees, including Sen. Bill Bradley, Willard Scott, the TV weatherman, and Peter Jennings, the ABC News anchor. The portfolio holds 60 pages of letters and information.
Winning Bid $163.
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