‘Throw strikes’

WARWICK — On Friday, June 14, former New York Yankee pitcher Tommy John visited Veterans Memorial Park to meet with the “Instructional 8” All Star players, prior to their All Star Game.

The “Instructional 8” is comprised of youngsters in the six and seven year old age group.

As a result of heavy rain during the afternoon and earlier that evening, which had soaked the ball fields, the game had to be canceled. But the visit by the baseball star, who lives in nearby Vernon, N.J., was a big hit for the players and everyone else who attended the event. Little League Coach Nick Nicosia had arranged his appearance.

Before joining the New York Yankees, John pitched for the Cleveland Indians, the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As a pitcher, his 288 career wins rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history. He also made three All-Star teams and finished as the Cy Young runner-up twice.

“I am very excited that we had the opportunity to have a former major league player come to Warwick Little League and greet the I-8 All star players,” said Bart Amatetti, president of Warwick Valley Little League.

One interesting aspect of his long career that John discussed before posing for photographs was his ulnar colllateral ligament reconstruction surgery, the first of which was performed on him in 1974. The procedure, which has helped many professional athletes in several different sports, was named after Tommy John. More than half of his career wins came after this surgery.

During the evening John shook hands with all of the “Instructional 8” All Star players one by one, posed for photos and then graciously signed baseballs for all who lined up.

Asked if he had any advice for Little League pitchers, John replied, “Throw strikes.”