<Ul> <Li> 4 × All - Star (1968, 1978--1980) </Li> </Ul> <Li> 4 × All - Star (1968, 1978--1980) </Li> <P> Thomas Edward John Jr. (born May 22, 1943) is an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1989 . He was a four - time MLB All - Star . </P> <P> John's 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left - handers in major league history . He is also known for the surgery, now named after him, which was performed on a damaged ligament in his pitching arm . Over half of John's career wins came after his surgery . </P>

How many years did tommy john play baseball
find me the text answering this question