Collect Tommy John Stars
A legend in his own right, Tommy John pitched 26 seasons and lent his name to a surgery that’s saved hundreds of arms and extended countless careers. As the baseball world celebrates his birthday, we’re tipping our caps to the elite company of players who came back stronger after undergoing the procedure that changed the game.
From flame-throwing aces to late-career revivals, these athletes didn’t just return — they dominated. And luckily for collectors, their journeys are forever captured on some iconic trading cards.
Top Tommy John Successes
2023 Topps Chrome® Platinum Anniversary Superfractor #458 Justin Verlander 1/1
Year of surgery
• 2020
post-surgery success
• 2022 al cy young award winner
• 2022 world series champion
• boasted a career low 1.75 era in 2022
set info
• 500 base cards
• superfractor is a 1/1
2025 Topps Baseball 1990 #T90-100 Shohei Ohtani
year of surgery
• 2018
• 2023
post-surgery success
• 2023 al mvp
• 2024 al mvp
• 2024 world series champion
set info
• 350 base cards
• 1990 topps Baseball subset boasts 100 cards
2013 Topps Finest Baseball #20 Stephen Strasburg Refractor
year of surgery
• 2010
post-surgery success
• three-time all-star
• 2019 world series champion
• 2019 world series mvp
set info
• 100 base cards
2022 Stadium Club Chrome® Dynasty and Destiny Orange Refractor #1A Bryce Harper /25
Year of surgery
• 2022
post-surgery success
• 2022 al cy young award winner
• 2022 world series champion
• boasted a career low 1.75 era in 2022
set info
• 4o0 base cards
• orange refractor print run is 25
• Dynasty and destiny insert boasts 20 cards
2023 Topps Chrome® Update 2023 All-Star Game Chrome® Gold Refractor #ASGC-13 Gerrit Cole /50
year of surgery
• 2025
post-surgery success
• n/a
set info
• 220 base cards
• all-star game chrome boasts 50 cards
• gold refractor print run is 25
2016 Bowman’s Best ’96 Bowman’s Best Autographs #96BBA-JS John Smoltz Atomic Refractor /25
year of surgery
• 2000
post-surgery success
• four-time all-star
• became first pitcher to record 200 wins and 150 saves
• 2002 nl Saves leader
set info
• 100 base cards
1973 Topps Baseball #258 Tommy John
year of surgery
• 1974
post-surgery success
• three-time all-star
set info
• 660 base cards
