Regrets, I’ve Had a Few … (Part 2 of 2)

Tommy John

John spent twenty-six years in the Major Leagues during which he won 288 games and was selected as an All-Star four times.  More notably, the procedure in which the ligament in a pitcher’s throwing elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body is named in his honor.  When John underwent the surgery in 1974, it was viewed as an experimental procedure.  Now it is common, with approximately one out of every seven Major League pitchers having Tommy John surgery at some stage in their career.  

While not currently a Hall of Famer, John will likely make it in eventually.  He is helped by the recent elections of Bert Blyleven (2011) and Jim Kaat (2001).  These pitchers have career statistics similar to John’s.   John’s rookie card is found in 1964 Topps.  This card costs $75 in PSA 6 condition.