Yankees' Team Doctor Sends Heartfelt Message to Tommy John
Summary
Tommy John was the first baseball pitcher to have an elbow ligament replaced in a surgery that became known as Tommy John surgery. The procedure, performed in 1974 by Dr. Frank Jobe, has since helped many athletes continue their careers. Recently, the New York Yankees’ team doctor thanked John for his impact on sports medicine as John is reportedly in hospice care.Key Facts
- Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first elbow ligament replacement surgery on pitcher Tommy John in 1974.
- The surgery replaced a damaged ligament in John's left elbow with one from his right wrist.
- This surgery is now called Tommy John surgery and is used widely in sports.
- Tommy John won 164 games after the surgery and pitched for 26 seasons.
- Tommy John did not attend the Yankees’ Old Timers’ Game in 2023 and said goodbye as he is in hospice care.
- The Yankees’ current team doctor, Dr. Chris Ahmad, thanked John for inspiring advances in sports medicine.
- Over 1,200 of these ligament surgeries have been performed by Dr. Ahmad during his career.
- Tommy John’s story represents hope and second chances for injured athletes.
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