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15. Tommy John

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15. Tommy John
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: May 22, 1943 in Terre Haute, IN USA
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'3"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 06, 1963
  • Final Game: May 25, 1989
  • Hutch Award - 1976
  • TSN All-Star - 1980
  • Lou Gehrig Memorial Award - 1981
  • Cy Young - 1977
  • Cy Young - 1978
  • Cy Young - 1979
  • Cy Young - 1980
  • MVP - 1977
  • MVP - 1979
 
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We imagine that there are younger baseball fans that are oblivious that there really was a Tommy John and that it was not just the name of a surgery.  This would be unfortunate, as Tommy John has to go down as one of the most durable pitchers in baseball history.

Likely the most amazing statistic about Tommy John is that he lasted twenty-six seasons.  Considering that he missed a season and a half due to arm trouble, it would have been expected that his career would not be a long one.  Not only did he come back from revolutionary surgery to repair his tendon (what we become known as “Tommy John” surgery) but he would post his most productive period of his career where he won twenty games three times in four years and was a Cy Young contender for tthat aforementioned four-year span

John was an effective sinkerball pitcher using his control to get batters out on the ground rather than put it past them.  This isn’t to say that he couldn’t strike out batters, but he was not among the leaders in that category.  Had Tommy John been more of a strike out pitcher (which is far sexier stat) or been part of a World Series win he may have received more votes.  As his overall career numbers are similar to that of Bert Blyleven who finally made it to Cooperstown, a very strong case could be made by the Veterans Committee for Tommy John.

Should Tommy John be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 79.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.1%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.1%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 6.2%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Sunday, 01 January 1995
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics
  • Major Accolades and Awards: All-Star (4) (1968, 1978, 1979 & 1980)
    Hutch Award (1976)
    Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1981)
    Lowest BB/9 (1) (AL) (1982)
    Most Shutouts (3) (AL) (1966, 1967 & 1980)
    Most Assists by a Pitcher (2) (AL) (1970) (NL) (1973)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Pitcher (2) (AL) (1968) (NL) (1973)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (5) (AL) (1969, 1981, 1983 & 1984) (NL) (1972)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Cy Young Finishes:
    (NL: 1977, 2nd), (NL: 1978, 6th), (AL: 1979, 2nd) & (AL: 1980, 4th)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Earned Run Average)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    8 Top Ten Finished (Games Started)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 8.    Games Started: 700
    20.  Innings Pitched: 4,710.3
    21.  Assists by a Pitcher: 1,028
    26.  Shutouts: 46
    26.  Wins: 288
    53.  bWAR for Pitchers: 62.3
    56.  Games Pitched: 760
    61.  Strikeouts: 2,245
    73.  Win Probability Added: 24.7
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1995: 21.3
    1996: 21.7
    1997: 20.5
    1998: 27.3
    1999: 18.7
    2000: 27.1
    2001: 28.3
    2002: 26.9
    2003: 23.4
    2004: 21.9
    2005: 23.8
    2006: 29.6
    2007: 22.9
    2008: 29.1
    2009: 31.7
  • Should be Inducted As A: Los Angeles Dodger

Should Tommy John be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 79.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.1%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.1%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 6.2%

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