Over the weekend, 41 notable figures from the baseball world, including current players, executives, and broadcasters, came together at Dodger Stadium to celebrate the Dodgers’ “alumni weekend.”
Among the crowd, which featured legends like Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax and broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, one person stood out: Tommy John.
The 81-year-old made his mark in a 26-season career spanning from 1963 to 1989, just one season short of the MLB record. However, his fame goes beyond his on-field exploits; he’s known primarily for being the first recipient of the groundbreaking ligament-replacement surgery known as Tommy John surgery, pioneered by Dodgers’ team surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974.
Now, “Tommy John” has become synonymous with elbow surgeries that typically require a lengthy recovery of 12 to 18 months. While this procedure has saved many pitchers’ careers, it brings frustration to fans who must wait for their favorite players to heal.
This season, the Dodgers have had their share of elbow-related issues. Recently, River Ryan was advised to undergo the surgery after just four starts in the majors, joining teammates Tony Gonsolin, Walker Buehler, Emmet Sheehan, and Dustin May, who have all spent time on the injured list due to the procedure.
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Curious about which teams have actually seen the most Tommy John surgeries in the past four seasons? According to Jon Roegele’s database, the Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Oakland A’s are tied, with six surgeries each.
The Angels’ tally includes Shohei Ohtani, who had the surgery last year before signing with the Dodgers and is still sidelined. The Marlins count 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara among their list.
Other than these names, the list mostly features less recognizable pitchers. The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays follow closely behind with five surgeries each, and the Dodgers will add to that total once Ryan has his procedure.
Interestingly, only three teams— the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants— have not had a major league pitcher undergo any Tommy John surgery since 2022. The Cardinals stand out as the only team without a single pitcher, in either major or minor leagues, to undergo the procedure in that time. However, the Mets lead the way with 14 surgeries among all pitchers since 2022.