What a great interview It’s great to hear about the old days where people were more humble and willing to extend a helping hand. This guy sounds like a great guy. Who knew?
What a GREAT interview. I clearly remember Tommy John as a ballplayer. What Tommy and Dr Jobe were able to come up with has changed sports medicine forever.
Live 10 18 in 1980 1989 in NYC not a Yankees fan but loved baseball Today was the Oakland Athletics last game at home.Forever! Oakland baseball is over and I'm done with mlb
4 time all-star, opening day picture six times, averages 20 per season ‘77-‘80. 162 complete games, 700 starts, 6-3 postseason record. Career ERA: 3.34 25 in ‘25
While your admiration for Tommy is clear, let's take a moment to unpack the inflated accolades and questionable assertions you've thrown around. Celebrating 288 wins is all well and good, but let’s not forget that the era in which he pitched featured vastly different competition and conditions. Pioneering and recovering from surgery doesn't automatically equate to Hall of Fame credentials; it's a personal triumph, not a baseball one. Claiming him to be a "class act" is subjective and certainly doesn’t merit an enshrinement. Four-time All-Star in 26 years? That's hardly groundbreaking in an era saturated with talent. Opening day pitcher? An honor, but does that make him a Hall of Famer or just a face in the crowd? Averaging 20 wins per season from ’77-‘80? Impressive, until you realize those numbers were often padded by an overwhelming team support. As for his postseason record-6-3 sounds good until you realize that it's merely an average showing, hardly enough to elevate him into the elite echelon of baseball greats. And a career ERA of 3.34 might look decent on paper, but context matters-many of his contemporaries performed far better. Let’s not cheapen the Hall of Fame by letting nostalgia and surface stats cloud our judgment. Achievements should reflect greatness, and in this case, it's clear Tommy is more of a footnote in baseball history than a headline.
@@Ccjamboree Only part of hof years is middle career 1972 1980 130W 60L 3.04 era 70CG 20 shutout 800k top 4 in Cy rank or better 4 times Before this and after this, he was not hall of fame 26 year 2200 k is little light But 72 to 80 wow
@@MisterTomcat by these parameters half of the members of the Baseball Hall of Fame should not have been enshrined including a host of 300 game winners,, some with 3000 hits and others who were consistently good over an extended period. You do make a case for the enshrinement of Alex Rodriquez, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez. We will see what the voters feel. I am rooting for TJ.
@@clarkkent0909 If we followed your logic, we'd lower the standards of the Hall of Fame and flood it with players who were simply "good" over a long period, regardless of their dominance or impact. The Hall isn’t just for those with impressive counting stats-it’s for players who were truly the best of their era. Tommy John doesn’t measure up to that standard. Comparing him to players like Bonds or Clemens, who were transcendent talents, only underscores how weak your argument is. Longevity alone doesn’t make you Hall-worthy-it’s greatness that does. John falls short.
I'll be honest, I think what might be keeping him out of the hall of fame is playing too long. From '63-'82: 237-171, 3.05 ERA, 1,918 K's in 3,700+ innings. '83-'89? 51-60, 4.43 ERA, 327 K's in 1000 innings. I think if he would've called it quits after 1982, he squeaks in. But I truly think those extra 7 years hurt him and got him labeled as a compiler.
This argument is a weak attempt to excuse mediocrity. The notion that Tommy John “played too long” doesn’t hold water. His stats before 1982 are solid but far from Hall of Fame-worthy. A 3.05 ERA and just fewer than 2,000 strikeouts over nearly two decades is respectable, but he never dominated the sport. And to claim that his post-1982 performance is what ruined his chances? Please. He was already a compiler before those final years, coasting on innings, not impact. Longevity without greatness isn't Hall of Fame material.
Tommy John’s legacy is built more on his groundbreaking surgery than his pitching prowess. While his 288 wins show longevity, he was never among the best of his era, lacking a Cy Young Award or league-leading statistics. Endurance alone doesn’t justify Hall of Fame status.
Yet sure not a hofer but 1972 80 he was 130 60 3.04 800k 70CG 20Shutout and 4 times landed in Cy top 4th or better impressive still The problem with him is longevity did not help his pitching early days and later days. Just middle of the career, he was wow.
This argument completely misses the point of what the Hall of Fame stands for. Yes, Tommy John’s surgery changed the game, but the Hall of Fame is for players whose performance defined baseball history, not those who became famous because of a medical procedure. We’re talking about celebrating athletes for their dominance, records, and accolades, not surgeries. Being famous for something off the field doesn’t make you a Hall of Famer. We can’t tell the story of the game without the Joe Niekro either-does that make him a Hall of Famer too?
Tommy John is a name synonymous with baseball, but not for the reasons that justify a place in the Hall of Fame. Despite his impressive longevity-spanning 26 seasons in Major League Baseball-his career achievements fall short of what should be required for baseball’s highest honor. His 288 wins, while notable, are more a testament to endurance than dominance. In his prime, John was never considered one of the premier pitchers of his era, failing to win a Cy Young Award or lead the league in any major pitching category. Longevity alone does not equal greatness. The real reason John is a household name is due to the revolutionary surgery that bears his name, not his performance on the field. Tommy John surgery, performed on his elbow in 1974, allowed him to extend his career, and its success has benefited countless pitchers since. While the surgery's impact on the sport is undeniable, it is a medical milestone, not an athletic one. The Hall of Fame should celebrate excellence, not longevity or medical breakthroughs. While John’s perseverance and role in baseball history are commendable, they do not meet the high standards required for enshrinement. The Hall should remain a sanctuary for the sport’s true elites, not those whose greatest contribution came from a scalpel, not a fastball. If anyone belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame, it's surgeon Frank Jobe.
As someone who dosent support Trump, thats a horrible reason. His contribution to the game,terrific pitcher and all around good guy. Lets go beyond someones politics.
Ivan, Ivan, Ivan...Bringing politics into a debate about Tommy John’s Hall of Fame candidacy is utterly irrelevant and a desperate deflection. The Hall of Fame is about on-field greatness, not personal politics. Tommy John isn’t being "held down" because of his political views; he’s not in the Hall of Fame because his playing career didn’t meet the standard for induction. His contributions to baseball history come from his surgery, not his dominance as a player. Let’s stick to facts and not make this a baseless political issue.
Priceless! Thanks for taking us back with Tommy John.
What a great interview
It’s great to hear about the old days where people were more humble and willing to extend a helping hand. This guy sounds like a great guy. Who knew?
This was absolutely wonderful, Tommy should be on much more often!
What a GREAT interview. I clearly remember Tommy John as a ballplayer. What Tommy and Dr Jobe were able to come up with has changed sports medicine forever.
Had the pleasure of watching him in old Yankee Stadium. A class act all around.
Live 10 18 in 1980 1989 in NYC not a Yankees fan but loved baseball
Today was the Oakland Athletics last game at home.Forever! Oakland baseball is over and I'm done with mlb
Great interview DP
Great interview. Enjoyed the stories
Tommy John is 81 years old. ... 188 no decision is an amazing statistic
What a modest man Dr. Frank Jobe was. It should've been called the Dr. Jobe surgery.
Great interview Great stories
Damn, the real Tommy John!
This was great!!!!
Get this guy in the Hall of Fame while he is still around. 288 WINS! Pioneered and recovered from ground breaking surgery. Class act.
4 time all-star, opening day picture six times, averages 20 per season ‘77-‘80. 162 complete games, 700 starts, 6-3 postseason record. Career ERA: 3.34
25 in ‘25
While your admiration for Tommy is clear, let's take a moment to unpack the inflated accolades and questionable assertions you've thrown around. Celebrating 288 wins is all well and good, but let’s not forget that the era in which he pitched featured vastly different competition and conditions. Pioneering and recovering from surgery doesn't automatically equate to Hall of Fame credentials; it's a personal triumph, not a baseball one.
Claiming him to be a "class act" is subjective and certainly doesn’t merit an enshrinement. Four-time All-Star in 26 years? That's hardly groundbreaking in an era saturated with talent. Opening day pitcher? An honor, but does that make him a Hall of Famer or just a face in the crowd? Averaging 20 wins per season from ’77-‘80? Impressive, until you realize those numbers were often padded by an overwhelming team support.
As for his postseason record-6-3 sounds good until you realize that it's merely an average showing, hardly enough to elevate him into the elite echelon of baseball greats. And a career ERA of 3.34 might look decent on paper, but context matters-many of his contemporaries performed far better.
Let’s not cheapen the Hall of Fame by letting nostalgia and surface stats cloud our judgment. Achievements should reflect greatness, and in this case, it's clear Tommy is more of a footnote in baseball history than a headline.
@@Ccjamboree
Only part of hof years is middle career
1972 1980 130W 60L 3.04 era 70CG 20 shutout 800k top 4 in Cy rank or better 4 times
Before this and after this, he was not hall of fame 26 year 2200 k is little light
But 72 to 80 wow
@@MisterTomcat by these parameters half of the members of the Baseball Hall of Fame should not have been enshrined including a host of 300 game winners,, some with 3000 hits and others who were consistently good over an extended period. You do make a case for the enshrinement of Alex Rodriquez, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez. We will see what the voters feel. I am rooting for TJ.
@@clarkkent0909 If we followed your logic, we'd lower the standards of the Hall of Fame and flood it with players who were simply "good" over a long period, regardless of their dominance or impact. The Hall isn’t just for those with impressive counting stats-it’s for players who were truly the best of their era. Tommy John doesn’t measure up to that standard. Comparing him to players like Bonds or Clemens, who were transcendent talents, only underscores how weak your argument is. Longevity alone doesn’t make you Hall-worthy-it’s greatness that does. John falls short.
I'll be honest, I think what might be keeping him out of the hall of fame is playing too long. From '63-'82: 237-171, 3.05 ERA, 1,918 K's in 3,700+ innings. '83-'89? 51-60, 4.43 ERA, 327 K's in 1000 innings. I think if he would've called it quits after 1982, he squeaks in. But I truly think those extra 7 years hurt him and got him labeled as a compiler.
This argument is a weak attempt to excuse mediocrity. The notion that Tommy John “played too long” doesn’t hold water. His stats before 1982 are solid but far from Hall of Fame-worthy. A 3.05 ERA and just fewer than 2,000 strikeouts over nearly two decades is respectable, but he never dominated the sport. And to claim that his post-1982 performance is what ruined his chances? Please. He was already a compiler before those final years, coasting on innings, not impact. Longevity without greatness isn't Hall of Fame material.
Yeah, but by the 80s, the money was starting getting good and we all know we'd do the same if they gave us the job.
Should be in the hall of fame
Tommy John’s legacy is built more on his groundbreaking surgery than his pitching prowess. While his 288 wins show longevity, he was never among the best of his era, lacking a Cy Young Award or league-leading statistics. Endurance alone doesn’t justify Hall of Fame status.
Yet sure not a hofer but 1972 80 he was 130 60 3.04 800k 70CG 20Shutout and 4 times landed in Cy top 4th or better impressive still
The problem with him is longevity did not help his pitching early days and later days. Just middle of the career, he was wow.
Maybe it’s Dan that says this, “Can you tell the story of the game without including this man’s name?“
No.
Boom.
Hall of Famer.
This argument completely misses the point of what the Hall of Fame stands for. Yes, Tommy John’s surgery changed the game, but the Hall of Fame is for players whose performance defined baseball history, not those who became famous because of a medical procedure. We’re talking about celebrating athletes for their dominance, records, and accolades, not surgeries. Being famous for something off the field doesn’t make you a Hall of Famer. We can’t tell the story of the game without the Joe Niekro either-does that make him a Hall of Famer too?
I put Doctor Andrews in for the operation.
Do they take muscles from his arms to fix pitchers?
Every time his phone rings he's like, "Oh no, not again!" lol
Nah, they take tendons from cadavers.
Well he doesn't have any arms in his picture
Yes, It’s called the palmaris longus tendon.
Fantastic interview
Tommy John is a name synonymous with baseball, but not for the reasons that justify a place in the Hall of Fame. Despite his impressive longevity-spanning 26 seasons in Major League Baseball-his career achievements fall short of what should be required for baseball’s highest honor. His 288 wins, while notable, are more a testament to endurance than dominance. In his prime, John was never considered one of the premier pitchers of his era, failing to win a Cy Young Award or lead the league in any major pitching category. Longevity alone does not equal greatness.
The real reason John is a household name is due to the revolutionary surgery that bears his name, not his performance on the field. Tommy John surgery, performed on his elbow in 1974, allowed him to extend his career, and its success has benefited countless pitchers since. While the surgery's impact on the sport is undeniable, it is a medical milestone, not an athletic one.
The Hall of Fame should celebrate excellence, not longevity or medical breakthroughs. While John’s perseverance and role in baseball history are commendable, they do not meet the high standards required for enshrinement. The Hall should remain a sanctuary for the sport’s true elites, not those whose greatest contribution came from a scalpel, not a fastball. If anyone belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame, it's surgeon Frank Jobe.
You have to have those plays it's great
My God
I worshipped his baseball card in 1982
All my life I thought Tommy John was asian
maybe you're thinking of Ron Darling
@@MisterTomcat nope first I thought he passed away and second he just had a name I thought it was chinesey
John said in another interview that he doesn’t think he’s in HOF because it’s well known that he voted for Trump. I could see it
As someone who dosent support Trump, thats a horrible reason. His contribution to the game,terrific pitcher and all around good guy. Lets go beyond someones politics.
@@paulkeilman3510 Look at espn today, nothing but politics
@@ivanmatic23 agreed and really sports should basically be free from that
Ivan, Ivan, Ivan...Bringing politics into a debate about Tommy John’s Hall of Fame candidacy is utterly irrelevant and a desperate deflection. The Hall of Fame is about on-field greatness, not personal politics. Tommy John isn’t being "held down" because of his political views; he’s not in the Hall of Fame because his playing career didn’t meet the standard for induction. His contributions to baseball history come from his surgery, not his dominance as a player. Let’s stick to facts and not make this a baseless political issue.
Uh, if you reread what i posted we said the same thing. I responded to someone commented on nit getting the votes bc he may a Trump supporter.
He seems like a really nice man. I hope he gets in the Hall of Fame.
Vote Trump for a better America.
You're joking right