A Legacy on Two Legs: Remembering Tommy John's Enduring Impact Tommy John's passing at 83 marks the end of a storied career that spanned generations and baseball teams.
His legacy is all the more remarkable for being tied to a single surgical procedure, one that not only saved his arm but also changed the course of professional baseball. In 1974, Dr.
Frank Jobe performed a pioneering surgery on John's elbow, marking a turning point in the treatment of injuries for pitchers.