Tommy John, one of the legendary pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), has died at the age of 83. The Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed the news on Sunday (local time).
He was widely known for the pioneering surgery that bears his name – Tommy John surgery – a technique to replace the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow, which has saved the careers of countless professional baseball players since it was first performed in 1974.
Over a 26-season MLB career, Tommy John played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he enjoyed a long and successful tenure. He was selected to four All-Star Games and recorded 288 career wins.
His passing has left a deep sense of loss in the baseball community, where he is remembered not only as a talented player but also as someone who opened a new era in the treatment of athletes' injuries.
