Youd be hard pressed to find a man whos had a greater impact on baseball over the past 40 years. Isaiah Crowell Jersey . Were not talking about Hank Aaron, or Bob Gibson or Roger Clemens, Cal Ripken Jr. or Barry Bonds. Were talking about Dr. Frank Jobe who passed away Thursday night at the age of 88. He is the surgeon who pioneered the ulnar collateral ligament transplant surgery that saved so many elbows and prolonged the careers of so many players, pitchers and position players alike. Dr. Jobe first performed his landmark surgery in 1974. He was actually in the stands watching at Dodger Stadium when Tommy John, for whom the operation will forever be known, blew out his elbow in a game against the Expos. John was out of action for 18 months after the surgery. But he not only returned, he flourished. Tommy John was named Comeback Player of the Year in 1976 and went on to win another 164 games with the Dodgers and Yankees before retiring at age 46. He finnished with 288 victories and a 3.34 ERA. He appeared in three All-Star Games after his surgery. He was never the best pitcher of his generation or anything close to that, but his career numbers and the fact he rebounded from this operation the way he did should in the Hall of Fame in my mind. Just how important has this operation been? Well before last season, 124 of the 360 pitchers on the opening day rosters had undergone at least one "Tommy John". Its not just the pitchers though, whove gone through this career-saving surgery. Carl Crawford, Rafael Furcal, ex-Jay Kelly Johnson and current Jays catching prospect A.J Jimenez have all undergone this elbow surgery. The first Blue Jays pitcher I could find who had the operation was David Wells back in 1985. But the list grows from there. Jimmy Key in 1988, former skipper John Farrell in 1991 while he was pitching for Cleveland and the list goes on. You have Billy Koch, A.J Burnett while he was with Florida, Jason Frasor who had it done twice, B.J. Ryan in 2007, Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum, Josh Johnson while with Florida and Chris Carpenter with St. Louis in 2007. All owe their careers to Dr. Jobe and those surgeons who have followed his trailblazing path. The disturbing thing is the way elbow injuries have increased. There were 24 documented "Tommy John" surgeries in 2013, including those of Mets star pitching prospect Matt Harvey and Blue Jays journeyman pitcher Ramon Ortiz, who underwent the operation for a second time. But the worst year by far was 2012, when there were 46 "Tommy Johns" including four to Blue Jays Drew Hutchison, Kyle Drabek, his second, Luis Perez and the aforementioned A.J. Jimenez. There are two known pitchers who actually had three elbow ligament transplant surgeries. Jose Rijo who helped spark the Reds to victory in the 1990 World Series and Jason Isringhausen, who turned from a top starting prospect with the Mets to a standout reliever later in his career. Rijo is truly a remarkable story. After being named an All-Star with the Reds in 1995, he suffered a serious elbow injury and was out of the game for five full seasons. He finally battled back in 2001 as a reliever with Cincinnati. It was said after three "Tommy John" surgeries and two other arm operations, his elbow had almost no ligament left. But ironically, the arthritis in his elbow, the scar tissue and the fact he had built up the muscles in his forearm to such an extent, he was still able to throw against all odds. Rijo retired in 2002 but not before winning the final ball game ever played at old Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. One pitcher who doesnt need to worry about his ulnar collateral ligament is Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Thats because he was born without one. Like Rijo, Dickey has defied the odds with many a doctor saying Dickey shouldnt be able to pitch without that ligament in his elbow. Yet two years ago, he won the Cy Young Award with the Mets and is still going strong with the Blue Jays at 39. At least 85 per cent of "Tommy John" patients make a complete recovery and in most cases, their elbows are stronger than ever. However, there are some who dont make it all the way back. Blue Jays closer B.J Ryan was never the same after his surgery in 2007 and was out of the game within a couple of years. But cases like that are the exception rather than the rule and the game would be a pale shadow of itself without the medical marvels of Dr. Frank Jobe. As a footnote, we should also mention Dr. Jobe pioneered a surgical technique on another Dodgers star, Orel Hershiser. It was a less invasive shoulder procedure that reduced the risk of collateral damage to the shoulder structure and sped up the recovery time. This and That Phillies infielder Freddy Galves will one day be the answer to a trivia question. On Thursday, he became the first player to hit a home run off the Yankees Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka. I try not to get too caught up in the struggles of pitchers in spring training since theyre often just working on command or one specific pitch but Ive got to admit on Wednesday, I was a little bit concerned when Brandon Morrow gave up five runs on six hits over three innings to the Pirates. Then I noticed on the same day, White Sox ace Chris Sale gave up six runs on six hits and a walk in just 2-2/3 innings against the Padres. Then, the Cubs Jeff Samardzija surrendered three runs on four hits in three innings in a 7-5 loss to Colorado. At that point, I realized its too early to be making hard judgements. Terrelle Pryor Sr. Jersey .com) - The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are ready to put all the talk and hype surrounding their meeting at Dodger Stadium behind them. Ben Braden Jersey . His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor. The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves. http://www.cheapjetsjerseysonline.com/?tag=mike-pennel-jersey-online . Watch all the action unfold live on TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. You can also watch the game live with the debut of Wednesday Night Hockey on TSN.ca and chat throughout the game with TSN.Ian Holloway is back with his predictions for the final weekend of Sky Bet Football League action with plenty still on the line in the Championship, League One and League Two. An absolute thriller of a season comes to a head on Saturday and Sunday, with three games live on Sky Sports and Ian Holloway has given his thoughts on some of the biggest games of the weekend.Middlesbrough v Brighton (Saturday, from 12pm on Sky Sports 1 HD) I cant believe Im fortunate enough to go. I can honestly tell you I dont know which way its going to go. I dont know whos going to handle the pressure of it that well. I urge the Middlesbrough supporters to get right behind your team. I know they want it really badly and its been a long time since they dropped out of the top flight.Chris Hughton and his Brighton team know theyve got to win. Worrying about a draw can stop you going for broke so sometimes its better to know what youve got to do.The game will be won or lost in the nerves and who can play the occasion. Who can go through the process rather than be caught up in the emotion of the game. Its like a tug of war and its a one-off - like a double final for the neutrals this year. Ian Holloway admits he has no idea whether it will be Middlesbrough or Brighton who will grab the final automatic promotion spot in the Championship Middlesbrough got the chance to put the play-off final from last season behind them. Will that carry into this year? I hope not, but I cant wait to see and the atmosphere will be something else. I just know someones going to be disappointed. Steve Sidwell is confident Brighton can beat Middlesbrough on the final day of the Championship season and win automatic promotion If its Brighton, they will be more than delighted with their season anyway and I think theyll fancy their chances with the way their team is playing. If its Middlesbrough who miss out, Im sure that it would be harder for them because of last season. I feel for whoever doesnt do it, but theyve all had great seasons and I cant wait to see how it unfolds.OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)Charlton v Burnley (Saturday, 12.30pm, Sky Sports 2)Burnley have proved that they have a tough chin. If they were a boxer, they get hit and they keep going and I think they will be champions, I really do. I wish Charlton all the best next year, I hope they sort themselves out because its a horrible atmosphere to have. Can you ever as a fan talk your owners out of wanting to own you? I dont think so.Its really difficult, but all Im saying is I know how you feel because Im a football supporter myself. Sometimes you go through bad times, but its only the energy at the moment so be part of the good times if you can. Try and stick with your players and stick with your team. Burnley have already celebrated promotion after beating QPR (Mark Robinson/Sky Bet) They should probably have a look at the rules these days and say what is a fit owner. Ask what the intentions are and where they are going. Its happening throughout football now. Deep down, remember that the players have got to play for you.OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)Doncaster v Burton (Sunday, 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1) I cant see Burton tripping up, I really dont. What theyve done, and if it wasnt for Leicesters miracle, everybody would be talking about Burton. Theyve lost another manager in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and got their old manager back in, Cloughie, and they just keep marching on, dont they? Well done to them, I think theyll do it in style. Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Burton and Gillingham OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)Port Vale v Walsall (Sunday, 12.30pm)I think Walsall will win, but I think Burton will just take that final automatic promotion place. It will give them good momentum going into the play-offs and theyre a very, very good side. Ive seen them live a couple of times this year and I really like the look of them. Highlights from Walsalls 3-1 win over Fleetwood in Sky Bet League One Port Vale have had a really good season and their manager has done really well, but when it comes these games, that slight bit of quality usually showss and I feel it will for Walsall but Burton will hang on in there. Derrick Jones Jersey. OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)Wigan v Barnsley (Sunday, 12.30pm) Highlights of the Sky Bet League One clash between Blackpool and Wigan Wigan had to win it last week and they did 4-0 at my old club. My heart told me to say 1-0 to Blackpool but this time, I think they will be celebrating in style.OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 16/1)Sheffield United v Scunthorpe (Sunday, 12.30pm)Scunthorpe are still in with a shout of the play-off places, level on points with Barnsley in sixth, but they could slip up here. I can only see a Sheffield United win and the Iron could just miss out.OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 10/1) Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Millwall and Oldham Gillingham v Millwall (Sunday, 12.30pm)I think my old club will win. Theyre on a great roll at the moment. Theyve consolidated their play-off place and have lost just one of their last seven games so I can see them coming out on top again this weekend.OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)Peterborough v Blackpool (Sunday, 12.30pm) Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Shrewsbury and Peterborough I cant give up on Blackpool. Its just amazing how things work out. Fleetwood were rising and rising and now theyre the ones that could put Blackpool down. Its funny how things work out and I found that at the clubs I was at. I had a run-in with Bristol City all the time because Im a Bristol boy and a Rovers fan. It was always them and with QPR we managed to just fend them off by one point to go up automatically once, so it follows you.OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)Fleetwood v Crewe (Sunday, 12.30pm)Im going for a Crewe away win because Blackpool will stay up then!OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 20/1)Accrington v Stevenage (Saturday, 3pm) With Accrington Stanley on the verge of an unlikely promotion to Sky Bet League One, manager John Coleman tells us how hes achieved miracles What another fantastic story at Accrington. Where they are is brilliant, and I read their manager John Colemans comments the other day and its honestly fantastic. I know him well and its amazing what they are doing. Obviously my other old club Bristol Rovers are in the mix but good luck to you, Accrington!OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)Oxford v Wycombe (Saturday, 3pm)Oxford, with the way they are playing, and Gareth at Wycombe has done a great job as well, but I think Oxford will just have too much for them.OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)Bristol Rovers v Dagenham and Redbridge (Saturday, 3pm) Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between York City and Bristol Rovers I think Rovers wont falter, they will keep going. Everything should be buzzing for the play-offs and the town is at the minute. Theyve got new owners and Darrell Clarke has been superb. Hes given me my team back and my pride in the club, and for that I thank him. I watched them win promotion last year and maybe I can watch them do it again if they dont do it automatically. Theyll be my favourites for the play-offs.OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1) Also See: Top three revealed for April Burnley ready to spend Whats still to be decided? Crucial FL72 games live on Sky Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Adidas Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Nike Baseball Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Authentic Cheap NHL Jerseys Canada Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China NCAA Jerseys Cheap Nike NHL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store Cheap Football Jerseys Store Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Jerseys NCAA China Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys ' ' '