Tommy John, whose pioneering surgery changed baseball, dies

August 17, 2026 - 03:13

John, who spent 26 seasons in the major leagues, was best known not for his 288 wins, but for the groundbreaking operation he underwent in 1974. At the time, a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow was considered a career-ending injury. Dr. Frank Jobe, the Dodgers' team physician, proposed a radical procedure: replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon from John's wrist. The surgery, which took over three hours, was a long shot, but it worked.

John returned to the mound in 1976 and pitched for another 14 seasons, retiring in 1989 at age 46. His success opened the door for countless other pitchers. Today, Tommy John surgery is a routine, if serious, procedure. It has saved the careers of stars like Stephen Strasburg, Justin Verlander, and Shohei Ohtani, though the recovery time remains long and the outcome is never guaranteed.

Beyond the surgery, John was a durable and consistent left-hander. He won 20 games in a season three times and was a four-time All-Star. He never made the Hall of Fame, but his impact on the game is undeniable. He is survived by his wife and four children.