Tommy John surgery impacts numerous MLB careers after pitcher's passing
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 16, 2026, 8:26 PM
Last updated Aug 16, 2026
Tommy John, the first recipient of the surgery that reshaped baseball, passed away on August 15 at the age of 83. His collaboration with orthopedist Frank Jobe changed the futures of countless MLB pitchers. Notable beneficiaries include John Smoltz, Justin Verlander, Shohei Ohtani, and Chris Sale, whose careers were either saved or extended by the procedure. John’s legacy in baseball extends beyond his own achievements, influencing generations of pitchers.
- •John was the first to undergo the surgery, which became crucial for many pitchers.
- •John Smoltz experienced a career revival after his surgery at age 34.
- •Justin Verlander won a third Cy Young Award post-surgery at age 39.
- •Shohei Ohtani continued to excel as a two-way player after his Tommy John surgeries.
- •Tommy John's career included 288 wins, but his greatest impact was in medicine.
- 8:26 PMYahoo Sports — Thank you, Tommy John: MLB pitching careers saved by the groundbreaking surgery
"How many Major League Baseball careers were saved by Tommy John surgery? The names that got another chance after the procedure.
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