50 years later, Tommy John surgery remains a game-changer for MLBers
There is a bridge that runs from Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974, all the way to Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper. A thread that connects an increasing number of baseball's biggest stars. Mostly on the mound, but at the plate, too. An operation that changed everything: Tommy John surgery.
![50 years later, Tommy John surgery remains a game-changer for MLBers](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6674810.1710329147!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/verlander-justin-221103-1180.jpg)
![Veteran major league pitcher Justin Verlander will not return to the World Series champion Astros next season after striking a two-year deal worth $86 million US with the Mets, according to several media outlets. A major league pitcher, wearing a bright orange jersey that says 'ASTROS' and the number 35, winds up for a pitch.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6674810.1710329147!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/verlander-justin-221103-1180.jpg)
There is a bridge that runs from Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974, all the way to Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper. A thread that connects an increasing number of baseball's biggest stars. Mostly on the mound, but at the plate, too. An operation that changed everything: Tommy John surgery.