Longtime MLB pitcher Tommy John, namesake of surgery, dead at 83

Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John died at age 83, the team announced on Sunday.

John's major-league career spanned 26 seasons, 14 of which came after he underwent the famous ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery that now bears his name and forever changed how pitchers' elbow injuries are dealt with.

The four-time all-star was the first pitcher to have the surgery performed on his elbow; it had previously only been conducted on wrists and hands.

John had a 288-231 record, 3.34 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 2,245 strikeouts over 760 career games (700 starts) with the Dodgers, New York Yankees , California Angels and Oakland Athletics. He ranks seventh all-time in games pitched by a starter and eighth in games started.