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
A major league pitcher, wearing a bright orange jersey that says 'ASTROS' and the number 35, winds up for a pitch.

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.