Tommy John - Rest in Peace

Perhaps the most amazing statistic compiled by Tommy John was playing 26 years in Major League Baseball. Think about that, being good enough to be a Major Leaguer for over a quarter century.

One of the many things I liked about baseball in that era compared to now was the sheer endurance at the highest level by so many pitchers -- John, Jim Kaat, Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, the Niekro brothers, Bert Blyleven, Wilbur Wood, Don Sutton and others. Later on pitchers like Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson. And these men threw huge innings, starting every fourth game and compiling lots of complete games with fewer injuries than today's coddled starters.

Some were sure first ballot Hall of Famers, others like Kaat and Blyleven had to wait. Tommy John's career was quite comparable to that of Kaat and Blyleven, not all-time greats but in the Hall because they were very good for a very long time. I'm not a fan of how standards for election to Cooperstown have declined, but if Kaat and Blyleven eventually made it, Tommy John deserves to be there too. Maybe his passing will spur the veterans' committee to do just that. RIP
 
Can’t really say it any better than Don did.

I hadn’t realized until his passing the incredible length of his career. Of course I knew of the surgery and that he was very good (but not great like other Yankees legends). Considering it was the first of its kind surgery, it’s incredible that he was able to extend his career an amazing 14 years after recovering! Modern players are soft in comparison.

RIP.
 
Don Wassall said:
Perhaps the most amazing statistic compiled by Tommy John was playing 26 years in Major League Baseball. Think about that, being good enough to be a Major Leaguer for over a quarter century.

One of the many things I liked about baseball in that era compared to now was the sheer endurance at the highest level by so many pitchers -- John, Jim Kaat, Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, the Niekro brothers, Bert Blyleven, Wilbur Wood, Don Sutton and others. Later on pitchers like Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson. And these men threw huge innings, starting every fourth game and compiling lots of complete games with fewer injuries than today's coddled starters.

Some were sure first ballot Hall of Famers, others like Kaat and Blyleven had to wait. Tommy John's career was quite comparable to that of Kaat and Blyleven, not all-time greats but in the Hall because they were very good for a very long time. I'm not a fan of how standards for election to Cooperstown have declined, but if Kaat and Blyleven eventually made it, Tommy John deserves to be there too. Maybe his passing will spur the veterans' committee to do just that. RIP
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I remember John and the pioneering surgery he had that is now a routine procedure. He was a guy who was very consistent who kept on coming back year after year and by the end he had a bit of beer belly as he pitched well into his 40's.

Tommy John's omission from the hall is a head scratcher when you compare his career to Kaat or Phil Neikro or the patron saint of Hall of Very Good players Harold Baines. Anyway he knew he was dying as he bid a farewell to the fans in New York.

Sad news indeed...
 
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