Tommy John was a veteran of 26 major league seasons, split between his first 12 seasons and his final 14 seasons by the pioneering arm surgery that now unofficially bears his name.
He was the opening day starting pitcher for the White Sox in 1966 and the Yankees in 1989, a four-time All-Star and a 20-game winner three times in 1977, 1979 and 1980.
John tore his ulnar collateral ligament in 1974 and underwent an experimental surgery to replace the ligament in his left elbow with a tendon from his right arm. After a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation, John returned to the Dodgers to start the 1976 season.
He finished with a career record of 288-231 over 760 games, a 3.34 ERA and 2,245 strikeouts. His 288 wins are currently 26th on the all-time list.
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