Tommy John pioneer Dr. Frank Jobe remembered at Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES -- Dr. Frank Jobe, who pioneered the elbow procedure that became known as Tommy John surgery and saved the careers of countless pitchers, was remembered Monday as a gifted and caring surgeon with a sense of humor.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully presided over an hour-long service at Dodger Stadium that ended with cups of vanilla ice cream being handed out in near 90-degree temperatures. Jobe loved the cool treat. He died last month at 88.
Tommy John himself spoke about the man whose name became forever linked with his after the 1974 surgery that saved John's career. The Dodgers pitcher had a ruptured medial collateral ligament in his left elbow, an injury that had no remedy until Jobe removed a tendon from John's forearm and repaired his elbow.