How Tommy John became the 'Bionic Man' who changed Baseball forever

Tommy John died on August 15, 2026, at his home in Bradenton, Florida. He was 83. For most people who never watched him pitch, the name still rings a bell, not because of his 288 wins across 26 seasons, but because of a four-hour surgery that took place on September 25, 1974, and quietly rewired the future of professional baseball. A left-hander from Terre Haute, Indiana, John agreed to something no pitcher before him had ever tried. Half a century later, more than 2,600 major leaguers have followed in his footsteps.Tommy John, who became known as the “Bionic Man”In July 1974, John was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers and having what might have been the best season of his career. Then, during a start against the Montreal Expos, something gave way in his left elbow.