Remembering Tommy John: Impact of His Surgery on Baseball

Tommy John, a former MLB pitcher, passed away recently, leaving a significant legacy in baseball history. He underwent a groundbreaking surgery 52 years ago, performed by Dr. Frank Jobe, to repair his UCL, which became known as Tommy John Surgery.

This procedure has since transformed the treatment of career-ending injuries for pitchers, allowing many to return to the game successfully. Among the notable recoveries are Jacob deGrom, who won back-to-back Cy Young Awards after his surgery, and Justin Verlander, who claimed his third Cy Young Award following his return in 2022.

Other successful cases include Tarik Skubal, who won consecutive Cy Youngs after his surgery, and Stephen Strasburg, who had a remarkable career despite setbacks. Eric Gagné also made history as the first reliever to win a Cy Young Award post-surgery, showcasing the procedure's impact on the sport.