Collectible Classics: The Tommy John Collection

It's always interesting to see the massive personal collection of a former Major League star. It's even better when it's a former Dodger player who helped change the game. Sure, Tommy John is not a Hall of Famer, but he sure was a trailblazer. As you know, he became famous for being the first ballplayer to undergo a revolutionary surgical procedure- removing the injured ulnar collateral ligament from his arm and replaced it with a tendon from his right forearm- now known as Tommy John Surgery.

Collectible Classics Auctions has over 100 lots from Tommy John's personal collection up for sale. Check out some of the items that caught my eye.

Below is his 1978 All-Star ring held in San Diego as a member of the Dodgers.

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(Auction Link)

Here is a game-used ball from his 20th win in 1977.

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(Auction Link)

Dr. Frank Jobe, the surgeon that performed the groundbreaking procedure, writes in John's favor for a Freedoms Foundation Award. It says in part,

“Even though the operation was a good one, the results wouldn’t have been successful without his long hours of work and, most of all, his optimistic attitude. Many athletes take their physical prowess for granted and, when they sustain a serious injury, are unable to apply themselves to the tedious work of rehabilitation necessary if they are to reattain their previous level of competence. This is not true of Tommy John; he never wavered in his determination.”

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(Auction Link)

Presented by a Dodger fan club I've never heard of, the Go-Go-Dodgers Fan Club of Los Angeles," this trophy memorializes Tommy John as "the most improved player" in 1973.

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(Auction Link)

In the freeway series between the Dodgers and Angels they routinely gave awards to the best players during exhibition play. Here John won the Lefty Phillips Memorial Trophy as the "most outstanding pitcher" in the 1976 series.

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(Auction Link)