Saturday, 02 May 2026

Frank Jobe

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Baseball
In 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe transformed sports medicine by performing the first ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction on Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John. Prior to this, a torn elbow ligament typically meant the end of a pitcher's career. Dr. Jobe’s innovative procedure involved replacing the torn ligament with a tendon taken from John’s non-pitching wrist, threaded through drilled holes in the humerus and ulna. Although Jobe initially estimated only a 1% chance of success, Tommy John went on to win 164 additional games over 14 seasons, effectively doubling his career span.

The long-term impact of "Tommy John surgery" has been significant, preserving the careers of thousands of athletes, from professional leagues to high school. Currently, an estimated one-third of active MLB pitchers have undergone this procedure at least once. Dr. Jobe’s advancements went beyond elbow repair; in 1990, he performed the first major reconstructive shoulder surgery on Orel Hershiser, which similarly extended the star pitcher’s career. His contributions transformed sports medicine from basic practices into an advanced specialty focused on durability, earning him recognition from the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a pioneer who fundamentally changed the sport.

We are proud to nominate Dr. Frank Jobe for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.