Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Klein
Me I would vote for Tommy John #1
His pitching stats should get him in AND he has a surgery named for him. That covers the fame.
Honestly, any one on this list is worthy and it would be a shame to have either Allen or Tiant go in after they passed when we could have gotten them in when still alive
Rich
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I would suggest that Tommy John would be lower on everybody’s list without Lewis Yocum, who was instrumental in developing the “Tommy John operation”.
Lew and I were surgical residents together at Northwestern. Considering the longevity and increased use of the procedure today, why not put Dr. Yocum on the Hall of Fame ballot. He also served as the team physician for the Angels for several decades, so he could have an Angel’s hat and a stethoscope on his HOF plaque. I do believe his procedure has made a significant contribution to history of baseball and every hall of fame needs a doctor. Dr. Jobe’s clinic is often associated with the Tommy John procedure, but Jobe gave his associate, Yocum, the bulk of the credit for its development.
Unfortunately Lew passed away in 2013.