Let’s go back 40 years from now, all the way to 1974. In the baseball world, players (mostly pitchers) are suffering from an incredible pain in their arm that keeps them from throwing. Careers are being cut short over and over again, and great players are leaving the game way too soon.
Thankfully, in that year of 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe, who was a team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time, performed an incredible new surgery for the first time. That same surgery is still being performed today to continue the careers of many notable MLB players.
Yes, I am indeed talking about Tommy John surgery. When Frank Jobe invented this surgical procedure, it changed the game of baseball forever. No longer were MLB pitchers forced to leave the game too soon due to an extreme elbow injury, instead they could continue their baseball career, and often come back better than they had ever been before their injury. This incredible medical advancement had fans and players alike very pleased. Players could have longer, more successful careers, and the fans could continue to enjoy watching their favorite players for an even longer amount of time. No longer are the days when pitching careers are cut short by one arm injury.
Tommy John surgery has become a very common procedure in the majors, as players like Adam Wainwright, Stephen Strasburg, Shin-Soo Choo, A.J. Burnett, and Chris Carpenter have had their time in baseball prolonged by this surgery. Key players like those listed are the reason that this surgery is so important and notable, and why Frank Jobe has altered the game in such an astounding way. This procedure continues the playing time of some of the best players in the game today, and that is something that everyone in the baseball community is thankful for.
There is no doubt that Jobe changed the MLB game forever, allowing great careers to continue to last years after the surgery is done to a player. However, he did not just change the professional game, he changed baseball for players of all ages and all levels. Serious elbow injuries occur to players no matter how old or skilled they are. If it wasn’t for Jobe, even some little leaguers would have their time in the game of baseball cut short. From the first year of kid pitch, all the way to the veteran phenoms of the Major League, Frank Jobe changed the game of baseball in a positive way for everyone.
Even though his time has ended, he will never be forgotten thanks to the surgery that changed the game for good.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @JSChisenhall. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our Baseball writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
“You like baseball? Get involved! Check out LWOS Partners http://basesloaded.eu for fantastic podcasts, news and a growing message board community of baseball fans like you!”
Main Photo:
