Tommy John surgery, known in medical terms as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a pivotal procedure in baseball history. Named after Tommy John, a left-handed Dodgers pitcher, this surgery saved his career and those of many players since its inception.
John’s career seemed over when he injured his left elbow in 1974. Such injuries had led many pitchers to retire early. However, a revolutionary surgery by orthopedist Frank Jobe resurrected his career, aiding players like Tom Candiotti, John Smoltz, and Shohei Ohtani over the last five decades.
John recently passed away at 83. Dodgers president Stan Kasten remarked, “Tommy was an exceptional pitcher throughout his career in Major League Baseball and his courageous role in becoming the first to have surgery that would go on to bear his name can’t be overstated.”
Before surgery, John had 124 wins over 12 seasons. Afterward, he secured 164 more in 14 seasons, boasting a career 288-231 record with a 3.34 earned-run average. His tenure with the Dodgers included 87 wins and a 2.97 ERA, leading them to consecutive World Series appearances.
Dr. Jobe made it so I could throw a baseball again,John recalled in an interview in 2023, crediting his successful post-surgery comeback to this groundbreaking operation.
Frank Jobe proposed an innovative solution after John’s injury: grafting a tendon from John’s right arm into his left elbow. The procedure, executed on September 25, 1974, was precarious, involving significant rehabilitation. Despite initial nerve damage and challenges with his left hand, John dedicated himself to recovery, missing the 1975 season.
John’s return for the 1976 season saw a successful campaign, ending with a 10-10 record and a 3.09 ERA. The subsequent year, he delivered one of his best seasons: 20 wins and a second-place finish in the NL Cy Young award voting.
In his career, he also played for the Yankees, winning 21 games in 1979 and 22 in 1980, helping them reach the World Series in 1981. Controversy struck during the series when Yankees manager Bob Lemon removed John from a game in a pivotal moment, leading to a Dodgers victory.
Beyond his playing days, John advocated against arm overuse, voicing his concerns about young pitchers undergoing the surgery named after him. His post-career endeavors included broadcasting, minor league managing, and advocacy work in suicide prevention after the loss of his son.
Despite advancements in the surgery by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed it numerous times, the procedure remains largely as Jobe initially designed. ElAttrache, who learned directly from Jobe, acknowledges that the surgery’s enduring success is a tribute to John’s pioneering spirit as much as to the innovative medical approach.
Tommy John is survived by his wife Cheryl and children Tommy, Travis, and Tamara. A private celebration will be held in his honor in Florida.