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Letter Signed by Tommy John Surgeon Frank Jobe, Photo with Jobe Signed by John.
Lot 41. Letter Signed by Tommy John Surgeon Frank Jobe, Photo with Jobe Signed by John. Dr. Jobe performed the revolutionary surgery that averted a premature end to John’s career. On Sept. 25, 1974, he removed the injured ulnar collateral ligament from John’s pitching arm and replaced it with a tendon from his right forearm. After 18 difficult months of recovery and rehabilitation, John became the first professional athlete to receive the surgery. Subsequently, the procedure became known as “Tommy John Surgery.” In a Sept. 4, 1984 letter, Dr. Jobe supports John for a Freedoms Foundation Award. He was nominated for the award by the Orange County Chapter of the foundation. In the letter, Jobe credits John for the success of the surgery: “Even though the operation was a good one, the results wouldn’t have been successful without his long hours of work and, most of all, his optimistic attitude. Many athletes take their physical prowess for granted and, when they sustain a serious injury, are unable to apply themselves to the tedious work of rehabilitation necessary if they are to reattain their previous level of competence. This is not true of Tommy John; he never wavered in his determination.” He also credits John with helping “us in developing appropriate programs for other players with this problem.” Jobe’s signature at the close of the two-page letter is gem mint 10. With the letter is an 8” x 10” color photo of Jobe with John and Orel Hersheiser. Jobe performed rotator cuff surgery on Hersheiser. John placed a large autograph that rates a 10 on the photo. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs.
Winning Bid $1,491.
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