Tommy John Surgery

Sometimes I wonder... how much Hall of Fame consideration should be given to those who get Tommy John Surgery? The operation has drastically extended many careers, particularly among pitchers, and I wonder how much that weighs under the playing ability criterion in the Hall of Fame's own voting requirements. For example, Mel Parnell ended his career at age 34 because of arm troubles. Still a productive pitcher (he had a 123 ERA+ and a no-hitter in his final season), there was still much life in that arm, if only he could have tapped into it. He could have been a Hall of Famer, but at the time he didn't have the technology to prolong his career. On the other hand, John Smoltz got Tommy John Surgery in 2000. At 32, he had had a productive career to that point (157 wins, 2,098 strikeouts), but didn't make his case for Cooperstown until after the surgery. After the procedure, Smoltz pitched for nine more seasons, passed the 200 win and 3,000 strikeout milestones, and made four all-star teams. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015. If Smoltz had pitched in Parnell's era, he wouldn't be considered for the Hall of Fame, but if Parnell had pitched in Smoltz's era, there is a good chance that he'd have a plaque today. It's just something to think about.