Tommy John, a former Dodgers southpaw and the first to undergo Tommy John surgery, has faced a long and arduous journey since debuting on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 1995. Despite his remarkable career and numerous achievements, he has yet to secure the necessary votes for election. Alongside Steve Garvey, another former Dodgers star, John is among the eight candidates on the Classic Baseball Era ballot, which aims to recognize overlooked players from past generations.

The Journey of Tommy John and Steve Garvey in Baseball's Hall of Fame Race

Tommy John's Surgical Legacy

In 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe performed the left-hander's elbow surgery on John, giving birth to the ligament-replacement procedure commonly used today. This significant event not only changed John's career but also left a lasting mark on baseball history. The Hall of Fame honored both Jobe and John during its 2013 induction ceremony, highlighting the importance of their contributions.John's ability to pitch and never miss a start after coming back from the surgery is a testament to his resilience and determination. He spent 26 seasons in the majors, tying a record until Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan reached his 27th season. As a four-time All-Star, he amassed a 288-231 record with a 3.34 earned-run average, 2,245 strikeouts, and 61.6 wins above replacement (WAR). His best seasons came at Chavez Ravine, where he made a significant impact.

Evaluating John's Hall of Fame Worthiness

When it comes to evaluating John's candidacy for the Hall of Fame, there are several factors to consider. One of the challenges he may face with voters is his lack of 3,000 strikeouts and 300 wins, which are often linked in the minds of many. Jay Jaffe, the author of "The Cooperstown Casebook," has written about the Hall of Fame since 2001 and is a senior baseball writer at FanGraphs. He believes that while John deserves credit for his career, the technical expertise of Dr. Frank Jobe cannot be overlooked.However, John's 26-year career and his 288 wins, along with his 188 no decisions, are also significant achievements. His arm remained in good shape throughout his career, and he demonstrated his ability to perform on the field every five days. These factors should not be ignored when considering his Hall of Fame candidacy.

Steve Garvey's Case

Steve Garvey, a former Dodgers first baseman and 1974 National League Most Valuable Player, is also on the Classic Baseball Era ballot. He was a 10-time All-Star who hit.294 and 272 home runs across 19 seasons. He was a 1981 World Series champion and played in the storied infield alongside Ron Cey, Davey Lopes, and Bill Russell from 1973 to 1981.Jaffe believes that there is a "junk position" when it comes to how Garvey was valued traditionally and how he is viewed now. Looking at dozens of other very good first basemen who followed in his wake and were more valuable, Jaffe is somewhat dismissive of Garvey as a candidate.However, John has a different perspective. He considers Garvey an excellent teammate and would like to see both himself and his former teammate enshrined in Cooperstown.