College Baseball Pitcher Dies After Tommy John Surgery Complications

A 20-year-old pitcher for George Mason University has tragically died after complications from Tommy John surgery.

A freshman on the George Mason baseball team died after his Tommy John surgery turned tragic. (Via @TMZ, @TMZ_Sports) https://t.co/NqkkGRXAC9
— NESN (@NESN) June 19, 2021

Sang Ho Baek battled injuries all throughout his freshman year, and right after the season ended, he underwent the now-routine elbow ligament surgery known as Tommy John (named after the veteran pitcher who was the first to have the ligament replacement procedure in 1974).

According to studies, anywhere from 25-30% of all major league pitchers have had, or will have, Tommy John surgery, and the success rate is said to be anywhere from 80-90%.

It's still unknown what led to the Sang Ho Baek tragedy; more will be known after an autopsy. A GoFundMe has been set up to help support his family.