Tommy John was a left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 26 seasons. He began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1963 and went on to play for several teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and California Angels.

John was known for his durability and consistency on the mound. He pitched over 200 innings in a season 15 times and won 20 games in a season twice. He was also a four-time All-Star and won the Gold Glove Award for his fielding in 1979.

However, John is perhaps best known for the surgery that now bears his name. In 1974, he underwent a revolutionary procedure to repair a torn ligament in his pitching elbow. The surgery, which involved replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon from John's forearm, allowed him to continue his career and paved the way for countless other pitchers to do the same.

After the surgery, John went on to pitch for another 14 seasons. He retired in 1989 with a career record of 288-231 and an ERA of 3.34. He also holds the record for most career games pitched by a left-hander with 760.

In addition to his success on the field, John was also known for his philanthropy. He and his wife founded the Tommy John Surgery Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families who cannot afford the surgery. He also served as a coach and mentor to young players, including his son, who went on to play in the major leagues.

Overall, Tommy John's career was marked by his durability, consistency, and pioneering spirit. His legacy extends far beyond his impressive statistics and includes his contributions to the game of baseball and the lives of those he touched both on and off the field.

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