Star Power: Dr. Andrews' Patient List is a Veritable Who's Who of Sports

The speedy infielder hurt his knee in his second major-league season in 2001, but came back the next season and has earned approximately $50 million in his career. His stolen-base numbers didn't return to what he achieved as a rookie until his career-best 46 steals in 2005. He was off to one of his best seasons ever this year before a lower-back problem ended his 2008 campaign.

78. FRED MCGRIFF

The "Crime Dog" underwent knee surgery in October 2003. At the age of 40, he returned for one season with the Devil Rays but was released before he could collect his 500th home run.

79. CADILLAC WILLIAMS

After having major knee surgery in November 2007, many thought Williams' drive on the comeback road would sputter out like an Escalade with a bad carburetor. But Williams still is revving his engine to make it back this year to help the Bucs. He'll start the season on the "physically unable to perform" list, which means that the earliest he can return to the field will be week 7 (against the Seattle Seahawks, at home, in a nationally televised Sunday-night game on NBC).

80. TRENT GREEN

In the 1999 preseason, Green suffered a season-ending knee injury (and opening the door for Kurt Warner to lead the Rams to the Super Bowl that year). After Dr. Andrews' repair, he's recovered nicely, earning almost $29 million in salary with the Rams, Chiefs, and Dolphins. The 15-year veteran returned this year to St. Louis, picking up another $4 million in salary for 2008.

81. TOM GORDON

"Flash" had Tommy John in December 1999 and has gone on to earn nearly $30 million in salary as an effective set-up reliever and occasional closer (he had 34 saves for the 2006 Phillies at age 38).

82. MARK PRIOR

Dr. Andrews performed season-ending surgery on Prior's injury-prone right shoulder in 2007, effectively ending the starter's run with the Cubs -- and only time will tell if it also ends Prior's once-promising career.

83. TOM GLAVINE

The future hall of famer and career 300-game winner hurt his elbow in 2008, his first major injury in his 21-year career. That earned him his first visit to Dr. Andrews in August. Glavine had said that if Tommy John surgery was required, he'd retire. Glavine got some good news though: It was a partially torn tendon and not the ligament. Andrews performed surgery on Glavine on August 21, cleaning up his shoulder while he was at it, and the veteran lefty is expected to be ready to start the 2009 season.

84. DESHAUN FOSTER

Andrews repaired a microfracture in Foster's knee in October 2002, allowing the star to shine in the 2003-04 playoffs. He made one of the longest runs for a TD in Super Bowl history against the Patriots that year. He's also earned more than $10 million in salary and bonuses. He'll tote the pigskin for the 49ers as a backup to Frank Gore this season.

85. TAKEO SPIKES

Andrews fixed Spikes's torn Achilles tendon in September 2005. The linebacker has been plagued with injuries since the surgery, but after earning $18.2 million in salary and bonuses the last two seasons, he signed with the 49ers in August for what's believed to be a much more modest contract.

86.DEUCE MCALLISTER

Andrews first repaired a torn ligament in McAllister's right knee in 2005. When the running back returned in 2006, he was instrumental to the Saints' playoff drive, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. McAllister then tore his left anterior cruciate ligament last September 24 in a game against the Tennessee Titans. McAllister had Dr. Andrews perform surgery on both knees, including microfacture surgery on his right knee to clean out scar tissue from the 2005 surgery. McAllister rehabbed next to Tampa's Cadillac Williams, and after his first preseason game this season, he reported, "I felt good out there."

87. WILL CLARK

In August 1999, Will Clark had surgery to remove bone chips in his left elbow. He returned for one more season to help the Mariners reach the NLCS in 2000, but the surgery was more about improved quality of life than career extension. He said about his arm, "This is not just affecting my baseball playing. It's affecting my everyday life. I have played my entire career with a broken elbow."

88. SHAWN MERRIMAN

It may be "Lights Out" for Merriman's sack totals -- and the fortunes of the San Diego Chargers this season. Merriman, who had Dr. Andrews repair cartilage damage in his knee last spring, continues to be in pain during 2008 training camp and traveled to see Dr. Andrews again and have him examine the knee.