Tommy John Inducted into The Hall of Very Good™

In an effort to celebrate the fifth anniversary of The Hall of Very Good™, Dr. Aaron Perlut from the esteemed American Mustache Institute and Mike Lynch from Seamheads.com kicked off “HOVG Heroes”.

Five weeks later, we’re ready to make good on a promise.

But first, it’s only appropriate to thank the individuals who helped make “HOVG Heroes” a reality.

Dr. Aaron Perlut, Andy Woolley, Bo Rosny, Bob Bleacher, Bob Salomon, Chuck Porter, Curt Hogg, Dan Epstein, David Allan, David Jordan, Dean Hybl, Derek Erdman, Gene Hutmaker, Gordon Holmes, Jeff Montgomery, Jeff Polman, John Parent, John Sharp, Josh Caray, Josh Eisenberg, Kevin Chanel, Lou Olsen, Mario Lanza, Mark Whicker, Mike Clair, Mike Lynch, Nate Aderhold, Norman Quebedeau, Pete Nash, Peter Chen, Ryan Petzar, Sam Fuld, Scott Simkus, Steve Cook, Tim Anderson, Todd Coppernoll, Tom Knuppel Vinny Milano and Will Johnson.

Now, you're in for a treat.

When the idea of a Hall of Very Good induction was conceived, a small group of us came to the consensus that it couldn’t begin without one guy in particular being part of the inaugural class.

And that guy is Tommy John.

Now…quotes!

“You look at two aspects of my career,” John said upon receiving word of his induction.  "You look at 26 years and you figure you’ve got to be doing something to be around for 26 years.  You look at the wins, the complete games, innings pitched…and you couple that with coming back from Tommy John surgery, I think that my name should be up there with anybody.”

“Tommy John surgery is one of the four or five most significant advances in baseball history," Grantland.com's lead baseball writer Jonah Keri said, "which is pretty good considering the actual Tommy John had a helluva career.”

"Tommy was a successful Major League pitcher, falling just shy of marks that would ensure him enshrinement in Baseball's hallowed halls," Baseball Bloggers Alliance president Bill Ivie said.  "He is a loving father, a humanitarian and a lover of the game.  I was ecstatic to hear that he was the inaugural inductee in The Hall of Very Good™."

TOMMY JOHN

The Hall of Very Good

Inaugural Class of 2012

A sinkerballer with impeccable control, Tommy John's big league career spanned 26 seasons and seven United States presidents.  Both Major League records.

 

Mid-career, he made history by becoming the game's first "right-handed southpaw" when he had a tendon transplanted from his right forearm to his left elbow to fix a tear that threatened to drive him from baseball.

 

Despite missing a year-and-a-half to his arm troubles in mid-career, Tommy John won 288 games.  His last at age 46.

So, yeah…July 20, 2012 is “Tommy John Day” here at The Hall of Very Good™.  You’re going to get more Tommy John posts than any other site has ever produced in one day.

Probably.

In all seriousness, it’s with great pleasure that The Hall of Very Good™ inducts Tommy John as its inaugural member.  We’re happy.  Tommy is happy. 

And we hope you’re all happy as well.