BIRTHDAYS: Tommy John (Birthday May 22nd) – Famous Baseball Player, Biography of Tommy John on Awards, Baseball Career & Awards.

Introduction: Tommy John is a high-ranked baseball player best known for his indomitable spirit and victory over physical limitations.

Background Information of Tommy John:

• Tommy John was born on May 22, 1943 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Tommy John birth name is Thomas Edward John Jr.
• Tommy is fondly known as “TJ” or “Tommy”. Tommy John attended the Gerstmeyer High School in Terre Haute.
• In 1970, he walked down the aisle with Sally Simmons. Tommy John lives with his wife and four children.

Career of Tommy John:

• Tommy was an exceptionally good base-ball player while still in school.
• At 20, Tommy made his Major League debut with the Cleveland Indians on 6 September, 1963.
• After initial hiccups of Tommy John switched to the Chicago White Sox and played for them till 1972.
• Tommy John made his mark has a left-handed pitcher during his initial years.
• John career suffered a setback when the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm got severely damaged.
• Dr. Frank Jobe performed a complex but successful surgery which came to be known as the “Tommy John Surgery”.
• After a long period of recovery, he was back on the field in 1976.
• Tommy John scored most of his wins after the surgery much to everyone’s surprise.
• Tommy determination and ability to overcome of Tommy John physical deficit makes him an inspirational figure for sportsmen.
• Since the invention of this revolutionary surgery, many players have benefited from it.
• In 1989, Tommy decided to retire. Tommy John also managed the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League since 2006.

Teams and Organizations of Tommy John:

Throughout his sporting career, Tommy John has played with the following teams and organizations:

• Cleveland Indians (1963-1964)
• Chicago White Sox (1965-1971)
• Los Angeles Dodgers (1972-1978)
• New York Yankees (1979-1982, 1986-1989)
• California Angels (1982-1985)
• Oakland A’s (1985)

Tommy John Player Profile:

• Height 6’3”
• Weight 185
• Batting Hand Right
• Throwing Hand Left
• Win-Loss 288-231
• ERA 3.34
• Strike-outs 2245
• Position Pitcher
• MLB seasons 26
  

Awards and Honors for of Tommy John:

In his career, Tommy John was nominated for the following titles and awards:

• Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1981)
• National League Player of the Month (April, 1974)
• NL Comeback Player of the Year (1976)

Here is a list of professional achievements, awards and honors that have been bestowed upon him:

• 1976- Received Hutch Award for displaying exceptional courage and dedication to the sport.
• 1981- Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
• 1968, 1978, 1979 and 1980- selected to play in Major League All-Star games.
• 1977 and 1979- Runner-up for the coveted Cy Young Award.