Surgeon Who Invented Tommy John Surgery Dies at 88

Tommy John in 2008

Dr. Frank Jobe, who spent 50 seasons with the Dodgers organization and was known as the pioneer of Tommy John surgery, passed away Thursday at the age of 88.

It's remarkable to think that numerous pitchers have had their careers resurrected due to what was considered a groundbreaking procedure at the time of its inception in 1974.  The procedure, named after then Dodgers lefty Tommy John, involves the replacement of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the medial elbow with a tendon from elsewhere in the body.  After Tommy John underwent the procedure, he was able to have a successful comeback that lasted for 14 years.

Today, TJS has become so common in the game that it seems like second nature that most athletes will have a successful comeback within a year after the procedure is done.  The list of athletes who have had the surgery over the years is long and never ending.  I say athletes because it isn't just pitchers who have undergone the procedure but some position players as well. That list will continue to grow as the years go by with the pounding that athletes' bodies take year in and year out.

Tim Musick
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