The Los Angeles Dodgers named longtime team physician Dr. Frank Jobe a special advisor to team owner and chairman Frank McCourt on Thursday.

The legendary Jobe is most famous for creating the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery in 1974, better known as "Tommy John surgery." The procedure is credited with saving the careers of thousands of pitchers over the years.

"Dr. Jobe's contribution to the game is only bested by the exemplary character he has bestowed upon our organization for more than 40 years," McCourt said. "If ever a person had Hall of Fame credentials, it is this history-making medical pioneer."

Before Jobe's medical breakthrough in 1974, pitchers who suffered torn elbow ligament injuries were forced into an early retirement. Dodger Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax was just one of numerous pitchers whose careers were ended due to this complication.

In 1974, then-Dodger pitcher Tommy John was the first to undergo the surgery pioneered by Jobe. Prior to the operation, John had won 124 games and held the best record in the National League (13-3) in 1974. The surgery mended John's injured elbow by removing a tendon from his non-pitching right arm and placing it in the wounded elbow.

The three-hour surgery changed baseball and sports medicine forever. John came back to pitch 14 more years during which he won 164 games without ever missing a start due to elbow problems. Since then, Jobe has performed about 1,000 "Tommy John surgeries" on pitchers of every level.

"Dr. Jobe epitomizes what the Dodgers, as an organization, strive to be," McCourt said. "He changed one life, followed by thousands of lives, and in turn, allowed for those who loved the game to return and continue to live their passion.

"We hope that Dr. Jobe will provide his wisdom, counsel, and care as the Dodgers continue their pioneering efforts. We are so honored to call him a member of the Dodgers family."
Just wishful thinking that Dr. Jobe words of wisdom include "Fire Ned Colletti."

And seriously, McCourt needs to get off his high horse. The dude acts as if he has owned the Dodgers for 40 years instead of 4 years.