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Tommy John passes as Isotopes facing pitching surgery prevalence

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 3:04 AM

Last updated Aug 18, 2026

Baseball

Summary

Tommy John, a notable MLB pitcher who lent his name to the common surgical procedure, died at 83 in Florida. His passing coincided with an unintended tribute during an Albuquerque Isotopes game, where nine out of 17 active pitchers on the roster have undergone Tommy John surgery. This trend reflects a significant reality in modern baseball, where surgeries have become routine. The Isotopes recently suffered back-to-back shutout losses to Oklahoma City, raising concerns as they prepare to face the Las Vegas Aviators in a six-game series starting Tuesday.

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By the Numbers

•Tommy John passed away on Saturday at 83 years old.
•Nine out of 17 Isotopes pitchers have undergone Tommy John surgery.
•Albuquerque Isotopes lost 1-0 and 5-0 in recent games.
•The Isotopes play a six-game series against the Las Vegas Aviators starting Tuesday.
•The Isotopes lead Triple-A with 43 triples this season.

Latest Updates

3:04 AMYahoo Sports — Topes Notes: Isotopes' accidental Tommy John tribute is a sign of times

What they're saying

"
Baseball pitching great Tommy John died at his Florida home on Saturday night. He was 83. Unfortunately for many, remembering his game takes a backseat to the fact that his name is commonly associated with one of the sport’s most common surgeries. The four-time MLB All-Star with a career ERA of just 3.34 was 31 in 1974 when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Los Angeles ...
— Yahoo Sports

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