Uncle Tommy John Surgery

Since we’re still in baseball mood here after that terrific World Series, let’s talk a little baseball tonight. What’s with these diseases or medical procedures that get named after famous athletes? First we have Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I’m actually OK with this one. He was the Iron Horse – he played hard and died young.  Besides, no one else really wants it named after them ‘cause it’s a disease.

The one I have a hard time with is the medical procedure known as Tommy John Surgery. Tommy John had a serious arm injury and some unknown doctor invented this new procedure, used it on Tommy’s left arm, and, next thing you know, Tommy’s back pitching again and, oh by the way, he’s better than ever. And oh, by the way, the procedure got named after the athlete instead of the doctor. Wait. What? So this doctor probably now operates in obscurity somewhere and goes home at night and tells his wife, “Yeah, I’m not gonna invent any more cool procedures ‘cause they just get named after the rich athletes anyway."

Tommy John needs to give this surgery name back to the surgeon. It’s time Tommy. Step up. Get it done.