Tommy John, who was a one-time All-Star over his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, passed away Saturday at the age of 83. John pitched in parts of 26 seasons at the Major League level and forever changed the sport as being the first patient of a pioneering elbow surgery that bears his name and trajectory of pitching in baseball.
After spending his first nine seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1963-64) and Chicago White Sox (1965-71), John was acquired by the Dodgers along with Steve Huntz in a trade for Dick Allen.
John’s career and the lives of pitchers to come was forever changed when he suffered an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow. The injury was originally thought to be career-ending, but legendary surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe completed a revolutionary procedure that allowed John to not only return but pitch better than he did prior to the injury.
John’s UCL injury occurred on July 17, 1974, and Jobe performed the first ever Tommy John surgery on Sept. 25, 1974. The left-hander missed the entire 1975 season but returned in 1976 and remained on the mound for 14 more years.
Dodgers statement on Tommy John passing away
“We are saddened to hear the news of Tommy John’s passing today,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said. “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. His impact both on and off the field has been felt by ballplayers of all ages and will be for generations to come.”
John is survived by his wife Cheryl, and children Tommy, Travis and Tamara. A private celebration of his life is going to be held in Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Tommy John Fund at Duke University.
Tommy John’s Dodgers career
Over six seasons with the Dodgers, John went 87-42 record with a 2.97 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He was part of three Dodgers teams that won the National League pennant (1974, 1977, 1978), appeared in one All-Star Game (1978) and finished second in Cy Young voting in 1977.
John’s 26-year career ended with the New York Yankees in 1989. Following his retirement at the age of 46, John began broadcasting games for the Minnesota Twins and the Charlotte Knights. He also spent time coaching several different teams in the collegiate, Minor Leagues and professional ranks.
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