John Smoltz missed the 2000 MLB season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, which threatened to derail his career. He returned in 2001 and eventually transitioned to a role as closer, before playing three more seasons as a starter into his 40s.
Smoltz, the first pitcher in the Hall of Fame to have returned from Tommy John surgery, has been very outspoken about the dangers of the surgery and said earlier this month that he doesn’t know if there will ever be another pitcher to enter the Hall of Fame after undergoing the procedure. With the baseball world watching Cooperstown for the Class of 2015’s acceptance speeches Sunday, Smoltz addressed the issue again and sent a warning to parents.