Forty-five-year-old Tommy John starts for the New York Yankees on Opening Day at the Metrodome and sets a modern ML record by appearing in his 26th season. He also wins his 287th game, 4-2 over the Minnesota Twins. John throws 107 pitches giving up 10 hits in 7 innings and striking out three Twins. 1989 is Tommy Johns final season and this opening day victory is one of only two wins that he can muster in his 10 starts in 1989 before the Yankees release him on May 30th. John’s only other victory in 1989 was his final start as a New York Yankee in an 8-6 win over the California Angels at Yankee Stadium.
You want to know more about Tommy John surgery? Check out this video, it does a nice job of describing the process. Back in 2010 a site called a Glimpse into Baseball History did a nice piece about Tommy John that is worth checking out.
Make sure you check out and bookmark my “Today in Twins History” page because there are all kinds of fun Twins facts and tidbits that I know you will find interesting. You need to check back daily because we are adding new info on that page every day. Give it a try.