Dr. Frank Jobe
| Birthdate | 07/16/1925 |
| Death Date | 03/06/2014 |
| Debut Year | |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | |
| Position | Doctor/Innovator |
Dr. Frank Jobe made history in 1974, when he performed reconstructive surgery of Tommy John’s ulnar collateral ligament.
Leave a commentIn the collection:
Dr. Frank Jobe's pioneering surgery extended the careers of many MLB players
Dr. Frank Jobe's pioneering surgery extended the careers of many MLB players
The operation Dr. Frank Jobe pioneered on Tommy’s John’s elbow would go on to save many countless baseball careers. The surgery that would bear the pitcher’s name has now become routine though Jobe waited two years after performing the first one to perform his second.
Jobe was honored during Hall of Fame weekend on July 27, 2013. Jeff Idelson, the Hall of Fame president said Jobe’s work is a testament to the positive role of medicine in baseball’s growth. Tommy John attended, praising Jobe by saying, “I think there should be a medical wing in the Hall of Fame, starting with him.”
Dr. Jobe served as special advisor to the Dodgers until his death in 2014.
Shown here is a 5×7 picture autographed by the good doctor.
Late in his life, Jobe was honored by many teams including his hometown Dodgers
Late in his life, Jobe was honored by many teams including his hometown Dodgers
Dr. Frank Jobe again signs his name to a 5×7 photo, this image of himself being honored before a Spring Training game.
Jobe was both admired and respected for the Tommy John surgery that he pioneered. Many believe that he deserves a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
At the time of Jobe’s death, Commissioner Bud Selig said, “I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Dr. Frank Jobe, a great gentleman whose work in baseball revolutionized sports medicine. Since 1974, his groundbreaking Tommy John surgery has revitalized countless careers, especially those of our pitchers.”
An 18-year old Tommy John filled out this questionnaire
An 18-year old Tommy John filled out this questionnaire
Tommy John was a veteran of 12 Major League seasons before tearing his ulnar collateral ligament. Facing career extinction, John instead opted for a ground-breaking surgery that Dr. Frank Jobe suggested. That surgery now bears the pitcher’s name.
Before Jobe performed his groundbreaking surgery, Tommy John had pitched for 12 seasons, appearing in one All Star game and never winning more than 16 games in a season. After the surgery the left would record three 20-win seasons and appear in three additional All Star games.
Often appearing on the Veterans Committee ballot, John won a total of 288 games.
Shown here is a publicity questionnaire filled out by TJ weeks after his 18th birthday. When asked his ambition in baseball, the pitcher writes, “Play on World Championship club + be selected to the All-Star team”.
The lefty was selected to three straight Mid-Summer Classics, though he appeared in only one. That came in 1980 when surrendered three runs in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss. Though his teams reached the World Series three times, they never got over the hump.
Deserves to be inducted into HOF as an innovator. The procedure was unimaginable and has been performed on over 2700 baseball players, about 2000 profess. Three HOF pitchers have had TJ surgery (unfortunately, not Tommy John). And Dr. Jobe performed Orel Hersheiser’s labrial reconstruction that enables him to continue his career. In addition, he pioneered pitch count for youth baseball and his research nurtured preventative care for athletes.