Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John, whose 26-season Major League Baseball career became inseparable from the pioneering elbow surgery that bears his name, died Aug. 15 at age 83.

The left-hander pitched six seasons for the Dodgers, compiling an 87-42 record with a 2.97 ERA. He helped the team win National League pennants in 1974, 1977 and 1978, was named an All-Star in 1978 and finished second in National League Cy Young Award voting in 1977.

John’s career took a historic turn after he injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm on July 17, 1974. The injury was initially considered career-ending, but Dodgers orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe performed an experimental reconstruction of the ligament.

John missed the entire 1975 season while recovering but returned to the Dodgers in 1976 and ultimately pitched another 14 seasons. The procedure became known as Tommy John surgery and has since become widely used to treat pitchers and other athletes with UCL injuries.

“We are saddened to hear the news of Tommy John’s passing today,” Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said. “Tommy was an exceptional pitcher throughout his career in Major League Baseball, and his courageous role in becoming the first to have surgery that would go on to bear his name can’t be overstated. His impact both on and off the field has been felt by ballplayers of all ages and will be for generations to come.”

John finished his career with a 288-231 record, 3.34 ERA and 2,245 strikeouts in 760 games, including 700 starts. He was a four-time All-Star and three-time 20-game winner. John won 164 games after undergoing the surgery, compared with 124 before it.

He began his major league career with Cleveland in 1963 and later pitched for the Chicago White Sox before joining the Dodgers. After leaving Los Angeles, he played for the New York Yankees, California Angels and Oakland Athletics. He retired at age 46 and later worked in broadcasting and coaching.

John is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and children Tommy, Travis and Tamara. A private celebration of his life will be held in Florida.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Tommy John Fund at Duke University at duke.is/tommyjohnfund.