Dr. Frank Jobe, the man who performed the first “Tommy John” surgery, passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 88.
“He was operated on in January for ruptured diverticulitis,” said Tommy John, who did a phone interview with Sports World News on Thursday evening. “I went to see him about two weeks ago and he wasn't responding. His organs were failing and it was only a matter of time.”
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Jobe, born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1925, was a World War II veteran. He served as an army staff sergeant in 101st Airborne Division. He later supervised the treatment of players on Los Angeles sports teams, including the Dodgers, Lakers, Angels and Rams. Jobe served as a clinical professor at the Keck School of Medicine in the University of Southern California.
In September of 1974, Jobe forever became a part of history for inventing and performing the first ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery. The surgery, which later became known as Tommy John surgery, has become a permanent part of Major League Baseball history. His surgery has extended the career of countless pitchers, including former NL Cy Young award winners John Smoltz and Chris Carpenter. Current pitching phenoms, Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals and Matt Harvey of the Mets have also had the surgery in recent years.
Jobe had an encounter with John before the famous Tommy John surgery. This encounter formed the famous trust between John and Jobe.
“He did a surgery on me in 1972 to remove some bone chips,” said John. “Come Spring of 1973, I wasn't throwing I way I should've and I was getting frustrated. That's when Jobe told me 'the manager, the coaches, the trainers can't tell you when you're ready. Only you can decide when you're ready.'”
Jobe was an honest, straight forward man, something John came to respect and rely on.
“He would never BS with you,” stated John, who was holding back some tears on the phone. “He'd always tell you like it is.”
John recalled how Jobe told him there was a slim chance he would ever play baseball again after the “Tommy John surgery” in 1974. John, as everyone knows, did come back after the surgery to win an additional 164 games. He finally did retire after the 1989 season with the Yankees. John finished his career with 288 wins, something he would've never achieved without the help of Jobe.
“He looked out for me as a player and a friend,” John said with pride in his voice. “When I was recovering from surgeries, he told me to do what was best for me, not necessarily the Dodgers. But he knew if I was healthy, the Dodgers would be happy.”
John also recalled a great moment for his friend. It took place at the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013. Job was being honored by the Hall of Fame for his work to the game of baseball. 40 orthopedic surgeons who studied under Jobe attended the ceremony. John said they all came on their own free time and remembered how much it meant to his friend.
“It was great to see them come up on their own free time and do that for him,” said John.
Jobe is served by his wife Betty, children, Christopher, Meredith, Cameron and Blair, along with eight grandchildren. John said that Betty was “holding up,” He had talked to her earlier in the day.
“He has a great support system,” said John. “He and his wife have been married, well I think close to 40 years. She's holding up well, considering everything going on.”
Baseball has lost a great pioneer. More importantly though, Tommy John lost a friend.
“I trusted him as a friend,” said John. “He was like an Uncle to me.”
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