TERRE HAUTE– He didn’t perfect the surgery that’s been named after him as a doctor, but it dramatically extended his major-league baseball career.
81-year-old Tommy John was honored this week with a special night in his name in his hometown, Terre Haute. He was the first person to get the complex elbow ligament operation that became known as the “Tommy John Surgery,” half a century ago, in 1974. It changed his life, allowing him to pitch 15 additional major-league years when many thought his arm was shot, and it’s helped countless others since then.
John’s expected to be nominated to the Baseball Hall of Fame early next year.
Photo: WTWO-TV