On September 25th, 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first ever surgery that would come to be called, Tommy John surgery. The clinical name is Ulnar Collateral Ligament repair. It has been named for the first player to undergo the procedure. Upon examining John in 1974, Jobe found that his UCL was torn. John was 31 at the time and had a 13-3 record. The injury occurred while pitching a game in July.
Jobe examined his elbow and knew the UCL was torn. After a couple of weeks of rest that did not help, Jobe recommended a radical new procedure. John looked around Jobe’s office and then said, “Let’s do it”. Those three words changed baseball. There was no guarantee John would be able to return to pitching, but at the time, the surgery was the only repair option. Think about this a little. This is 1974, the Dodgers would win the pennant and the LCS, only to lose the World Series in 5 games. But if John had still been healthy and in the rotation, could the series have gone longer? The Dodgers starters for the series were Sutton, Messersmith and Downing.
The inspiration for this subject came yesterday when the Rockies broadcaster, Drew Goodman was talking about Kershaw’s idol and mentor, Sandy Koufax. He stated that if TJ surgery had been available when Koufax was pitching, he might have won a lot more games, since he was just 30 when he retired. I have never trusted Goodman to get facts about other teams right for many reasons, one being he has repeatedly made statements about the Dodgers that were totally wrong. Especially in reference to their history. The last one being that only two Dodgers who have their numbers retired and not be in the Hall of Fame were Jim Gilliam and Gil Hodges. Hodges number was not retired until he was elected to the Hall, so Goodman was wrong. He would be right now since Valenzuela’s was retired last year.
But I wanted to go back and check on the Koufax thing. Because as far as what most history tells us, Koufax was forced to retire because his elbow was so arthritic, which has pretty much zero chance of being corrected by elbow surgery involving the UCL. The most amazing thing about Koufax is that the Dodger doctor at the time, Dr. Robert Kerlan, to retire after the 1965 season. Koufax had jammed his elbow in 64 diving back into a base. His elbow swelled up and was bigger than his knee. Since the Dodgers were out of the pennant race, Koufax did not pitch again, finishing with a 19-5 record and winning his third straight ERA title with a 1.74 ERA. At the time, the lowest of his career. Kerlan diagnosed him with traumatic arthritis.
In 1965, Koufax returned to pitching. After a complete game against the White Sox on March 30th, Sandy woke up the next morning with his left arm swollen and black and blue from hemorrhaging. He returned to LA and Kerlan told him he would eventually lose the use of his arm if he continued to pitch. They devised a schedule which he followed for the last two seasons of his career. He initially agreed to stop throwing between starts. He then continued doing that but quit throwing sidearm which he often did against left-handed batters.
All of us here who are old enough to have lived through those last two seasons, saw the results firsthand. But we knew nothing about what Koufax was going though before his starts just to be able to take the mound. So, when Sandy retired suddenly after the 1966 World Series loss to the Orioles, we were stunned. Even when he did the press conference, which the Dodgers had asked him not to do until they could make a trade to bolster the rotation, no one really knew the real reason except Koufax and Kerlan. 
Tommy John had been told by Jobe that there was a 1-100 chance of the surgery working. That he was willing to risk that is amazing to me. He was risking his career on a totally untested procedure. He placed his future in the hands of Jobe. Now we all know the procedure worked, Jonn won more games after his surgery, 164, than he did before, 124. The rehab took one year. John returned to the Dodgers for the 1976 season, and went 10-10 with a 3.09 ERA, and in 77 he went 20-7 with a 2.78. 
After the surgery, John pitched 3 seasons for the Dodgers going 47-27 with an ERA right at 3.00. He won 20 games or more 3 times after the surgery when he had never won more than 16 before. The surgery saved his career. How many pitchers have had this procedure since? Has to be in the thousands since it has been done on everyone from high school pitchers to major leaguers and players in other countries. The Dodgers have had quite a few who have had it, and some have had it twice.
DETROIT, MI – MAY 1984: Tommy John #25 of the California Angels pitching during a game against the Detroit Tigers in May 1984.
Thomas Edward John was born on May 22, 1943, in Terre Haute, Indiana. His best pitch growing up was his curveball. He originally signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1961 at the age of 18. He was sent to Class-D, Dubuque where he appeared in 14 games, starting 13 of them. He had 4 complete games and 1 shutout compiling a 10-4 record with an ERA of 3.17. The next year, he started the season at Class-A Charleston in the Eastern League. He went 6-8 there and was promoted to AAA Jacksonville of the IL where he had a 2-2 record.
He pitched for the same two teams in 1963 compiling a 15-10 combined record. He got called up to the Indians in September and went 0-2. But his ERA was just 2.21. Cleveland sent him to Portland in the PCL to start the 64 season, he was later called up to the Indians and went 2-9 with a 3.91 ERA. In January of 1965, he was part of a three-team trade with the White Sox and A’s. He, Tommy Agee and John Romano went to the White Sox. Rocky Colavito and Cam Cameron went to the Indians. Mike Hershberger, Jim Landis and Fred Talbot went to the A’s.
Over the next 7 years, he would compile a 82-80 record with the Sox. His ERA over that time was 2.95. Then in the winter of 1971, he was traded by the Sox to the Dodgers for slugger, Dick Allen. The Dodgers also received utility infielder, Steve Huntz in the trade. Huntz never played a game for the Dodgers. He did play parts of two seasons with the Dodgers AAA affiliate in Albuquerque. LA sent him back to the Sox prior to the 74 season. 
John settled in to the Dodgers rotation for the next three seasons. In 72 and 73 he went a combined 27-12. His .696 winning pct. led the NL in 73. He was cruising along in 74 when the injury put him out for the rest of 74 and all of 75. He led the NL in winning pct. again with a .813. The Dodgers were not sure he would ever return, and frankly neither were Jobe or John.
When he did return for the 1976 season, no one knew how he would do. But he came back, had no problems and pitched in 31 games. He won 20 for the Dodgers in their pennant winning year under Lasorda for the first time. He pitched 2 games in the playoffs against the Phillies, allowing just 1 earned run. He was 1-0 in the series. He lost his only start in the World Series against the Yankees, giving up 5 runs in his loss.
In 1978, he was 17-10. He won his only start in the LCS pitching a complete game shutout against the Phillies. He would pitch in 2 games in the World Series against the Yankees, winning his only decision. That win came in game 1 when he bested Ed Figueroa. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the Yankees. He would pitch for 11 more years, with stints in New York, Los Angeles with the Angels, Oakland, and back to the Yankees for his final four years.
He retired with 288 wins, second most for a pitcher not in the Hall of Fame. The most of course belong to Roger Clemens. Not sure if that will ever change. After John is a guy named Tommy Mullane, a guy who pitched in the 1800’s. Jamie Moyer would be next on the list. John is now 82. He will forever be tied to the surgery which bears his name. Although Jobe once said it could very well have been the Sandy Koufax surgery. I still am not sure it would have helped Sandy. He can still not straighten his arm after all these years.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets 6 – Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 7
Tyler Glasnow started and lasted 2.1 innings allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, 1 BB, with 3 K. I am different than many when it comes to MLB pitchers on rehab assignments. The results are not nearly as important as how the pitcher feels the next day. The last thing that comes on a rehab assignment is command. Of course Glasnow would have preferred a perfect outing, but it is more important for him to come out without any unusual pain the next day after throwing 66 pitches. He will get back in the bullpen to work on his command, and look for improvement in his next start.
After falling behind 4-0, the Comets pick up 3 in the 3rd. Chuckie Robinson led off with a BB. Austin Gauthier followed with a single. James Outman doubled to score Robinson and move Gauthier to 3rd. With one out, Ryan Ward doubled home two, and the 4-0 lead was cut to 4-3.
Sacramento battled to score one in the bottom of the 3rd and 2 more in the 4th. The two on the 4th came off Sam Carlson.
Down 7-3 in the 6th, OKC started their comeback. In the 6th Kody Hoese doubled and scored on a Robinson single. In the 7th, the Comets got to within 1 after Michael Chavis singled and scored on a Ryan Ward 2-run HR.
In the 9th, Michael Chavis homered to tie the score. With 2 outs, Hunter Feduccia drew a BB and Esteury Ruiz followed with a single. Kody Hoese slugged his 2nd double to plate both runners and grab a 9-7 lead.
WE ARE TIED!!! 🫨
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) June 28, 2025
Lucky number 1️⃣3️⃣ for Michael Chavis evens this game up in the ninth! pic.twitter.com/GgCWNdAWau
Kody Hoese: Clutch Factor – 💯
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) June 28, 2025
Kody finds a gap and gives the Comets thier first lead of the night on this 2️⃣-RBI double! pic.twitter.com/31jRC3Xvp7
In the bottom of the 9th Jose Rodriguez went to the bump for his 2nd inning of work. With two out, Wade Meckler singled for his 3rd hit of the game. Rodriguez struck out Luis Matos to end the game for the Comets win.
- Michael Chavis – 3-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (21), HR (13)
- Ryan Ward – 2-5, 1 run, 4 RBI, double (17), HR (20)
- Kody Hoese – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 doubles (11)
- James Outman – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (17)
- Chuckie Robinson – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
Tulsa Drillers 11 – Frisco RoughRiders (Texas) 0
Jackson Ferris found his way back to dominating a lineup. He completed 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits (all singles) and 3 BB, while compiling 7 strikeouts. Only two runners reached scoring position, the 2nd thanks to an error.
Jackson Ferris (MLB's No. 5 LHP prospect, @Dodgers) delivers his best outing of 2025 for the Double-A @TulsaDrillers:
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 28, 2025
6 IP | 3 H | 0 R | 3 BB | 7 K pic.twitter.com/KaIRHpCrwj
Kelvin Ramirez, Robinson Ortiz, and Livan Reinoso each pitched a scoreless inning with only 1 hit and no BB allowed between the three of them.
In the 2nd inning Griffin Lockwood-Powell and Kendall Simmons singled. Kole Myers hit into a fielder’s choice force out for out #2. John Rhodes drew a BB to load the bases. Sean McLain hit a bases clearing double for a 3-0 lead. Chris Newell doubled to score McLain and Damon Keith followed with a run scoring single and a 5-0 lead in the 2nd inning.
Sean McLain had a GREAT day for AA Tulsa, pounding out 3 doubles, and in the process driving in 3 RBIs. He also walked once and scored twice.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2025
McLain is a tremendous defender who is in the process of improving his offensive game and becoming someone who is "hitterish," as he… pic.twitter.com/Hy9LqKH1RP
Tulsa scored an unearned run in the 3rd. In the 4th, McLain hit his 2nd double of the game, moved to 3rd on a WP and scored on a Newell sac fly.
In the 5th, Tulsa put up 3 more. With one out, Simmons singled and Taylor Young reached on a fielder’s choice and Simmons beating the throw to 2nd. Myers drew a BB to load the bases. Rhodes singled to score 2. Myers drew a BB to load the bases and scored on a WP.
AA Tulsa has struggled to find offense for large parts of this season, so Kendall Simmons has been just what the doctor ordered.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2025
Simmons had 3 more hits tonight to move his average up to .310 in the 13 games he's played with the Drillers, and he has hits in 4 games in a row,… pic.twitter.com/YwniqNXeQo
Myers hit a HR for the Drillers final run in the 7th.
- Kendall Simmons – 3-5, 1 run, triple (1)
- Sean McLain – 3-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 3 doubles (8)
- Chris Newell – 2-4, Sac Fly, 1 run, 2 BB, double (8)
- Kole Myers – 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs, 3 RBI, HR (2)
Great Lakes Loons 8 – Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego) 0
Three Loons pitchers combined for a 1 hit, 2 walk, shutout. Payton Martin must have had a 50 pitch limit as he was pulled after 3.2 innings and throwing 53 pitches. He walked one and struck out 6.
Reynaldo Yean followed and retired all four batters he faced with 1 strike out. Sean Linan entered in the 6th and the first batter he faced singled. After that, Linan retired 12 of the next 13 batters and completed the game and shutout.
The first 6 Loons batters in the first inning reached and five scored before the inning concluded. Kendall George and Josue De Paula led off with singles. Mike Sirota followed with a BB. Zyhir Hope hit a 2-run single, followed by a single by Logan Wagner that loaded the bases again. Joe Vetrano drew a bases loaded walk for the 3rd run, and Jake Gelof hit a sacrifice fly for the 4th run and Wagner moved to 3rd. Wagner scored on a Jordan Thompson ground out, and the Loons had a 5-0 lead.
In the 5th, Wagner drew a walk and moved to 3rd on a Vetrano single. Wagner scored on a ground ball out.
In the 8th, Gelof drew a BB and Thompson singled. On a soft ground ball both runners moved to 2nd and 3rd, and both scored on a George single.
The Loons compiled 11 hits, all singles, and 7 BB to score 8 runs.
- Zyhir Hope – 3-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Kendall George – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Jordan Thompson – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Logan Wagner – 1-2, 3 BB, 1 run 2 RBI
- Jake Gelof – 1-1, 1 BB, SF, 1 run, 2 RBI
Zyhir Hope had 3 hits for High A Great Lakes, which gives him back-to-back multi-hit games.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2025
Hope is hitting .289, OPS of .856, a walk rate of 14.4% and a WRC+ of 141. Dude is a mauler! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/5GP5jVaEbm
San Jose Giants 9 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2
The San Jose Giants took advantage of 11 Rancho Cucamonga walks on Friday night, winning by a final of 9-2.
Giants’ second baseman Zander Darby slugged a grand slam and drove in five, as San Jose won for the third time in four games this week over the Quakes.
Rancho starter Aidan Foeller (3-3) struggled with his command, as he allowed five runs on just two hits, walking seven over two-plus innings of work.
Rancho finished with eight hits, with Jackson Nicklaus and Niko Perez both finishing with two hits and a walk.
The Quakes will send right-hander Jholbran Herder to the mound on Saturday at 5pm, as he’ll take on righty Gerelmi Maldonado in game five of the six-game series.
Another exciting ending in a Dodgers win. It feels like Scott never makes it easy for our nerves . What a play by Freddie on that DP! Does not get any better than that. A magician at 1b.
Outhit 11-4 and still won the game. Bullpen with 5 scoreless innings after another lackluster start by May.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice article but I have one question. You said John risked his career by having the surgery. But would he have had any career at all if he hadn’t selected surgery?
Glasnow, 66 pitches and 5 earned in 2.1 innings. Yoiks. The important thing is how he feels? Bet he feels like crap after that outing.
Koufax. “He initially agreed to stop throwing between starts.” Bingo. Recovery I’ve been saying that for years. And I’ll keep saying it.
Another errant throw by Mookie saved by Freddie. Could have cost the game. And though his DRS numbers are among leaders, Mookie’s range factors are below league average and frankly his arm from that position kinda sucks. It’s a good thing Freddie is 6’5” and can pick ‘em.
Has anyone noticed Mookie has become a .250 hitter with an OPS+ barely above league average? Yeah, you have. We all have. Maybe it was going to happen anyway at age 32. Or, maybe his career will be shortened by this move. Good thing the Dodgers don’t need his offense, right?