Tommy John, the baseball legend whose name is etched into the very fabric of the game’s history, passed away on Sunday, but his legacy is one that literally saved countless careers. Fifty-two years ago, John underwent a groundbreaking procedure on his UCL, performed by Dr. Frank Jobe. That successful reconstructive surgery, now famously known as Tommy John Surgery, was a game-changer. What was once a career-ender for pitchers is now a routine comeback story, allowing athletes to make full recoveries and even redefine what’s possible on the mound.
Baseball’s Game-Changing Procedure And Its Early Superstars
It’s wild to think about how many incredible arms we might have lost if not for this procedure. One of the biggest success stories is two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom. The New York Mets drafted him in 2010, and just a few months later in October 2010, he had the surgery. What did he do? He made history, becoming the first pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards *after* Tommy John surgery, absolutely dominating for the Mets in 2018 and 2019. This dude is still pitching at an elite level in his late 30s, even getting named an All-Star for the fifth time in 2025. Then there’s Justin Verlander, who went under the knife in 2020. He came back in 2022 like a man possessed, anchoring the Houston Astros to their second World Series title and snatching his third career Cy Young Award. That 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA and 185 strikeouts as a 39-year-old coming off TJ? Absolutely mind-boggling.
Our Own Seattle University Connection Is Redefining Dominance
But let’s talk about a guy with some serious Emerald City roots: Tarik Skubal. This dude, who recently joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, had his Tommy John surgery way back in 2016 while he was pitching for **Seattle University**. Talk about a comeback for the ages! Since recovering, Skubal has put together one of the most dominant stretches we’ve seen in recent baseball history. Pitching for the Detroit Tigers for most of his career, he went on to capture consecutive Cy Young awards in 2024 and 2025. That’s insane! He’s only the third pitcher ever to win the award multiple times after TJ. We also can’t forget Stephen Strasburg, the former Washington Nationals pitcher. After one of the most electric debuts ever with 14 strikeouts, he needed Tommy John after just 12 starts. Still, he came back strong in 2011, led the National League in strikeouts in 2014, and was a three-time All-Star. His career highlight? Leading the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019, finishing fifth in Cy Young voting that year with a 1.46 ERA and a perfect 5.
It’s clear that Tommy John’s legacy isn’t just about a surgery; it’s about the second chances and the absolute dominance that pitchers like Skubal have achieved because of it. It makes you wonder who’s next in line to defy the odds after this procedure, doesn’t it? The future of pitching, with its incredible arms and even more incredible comebacks, is looking bright.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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