Glavine deserved better from Braves
Well, they led him to the altar, but they couldn’t convince him to say, “I quit.”
Speaking here of the “Tom Glavine affair,” which is not going away, and which the Braves will have plastered across their dossier for time to come. Coming on the heels of the indifferent dealing with John Smoltz — who tired of waiting for a commitment — we now have become witness to the end of an era: The Smoltz-Glavine-Maddux era, when the Braves had the three greatest pitchers they have ever had on their roster at the same time.
But, Glavine is the central figure here. Say his time had come, if you choose, but no one had ever given the slightest hint that he was being whip-sawed with such a dead-end decision: Take retirement or release. Then the heartless words spread across the television screen: “Braves Release Tom Glavine.”
If they were going to release him, then why this agonizing process of rehabilitation tests at Gwinnett and Rome? It was some kind of anxiety scene outside the Braves clubhouse Wednesday evening while John Schuerholz, Frank Wren and Bobby Cox had the final sit-down conference with Glavine, the better part of two hours. A nervous lot of us squirmed and twisted and cracked wise in the passageway outside, lined up like birds on a telephone wire. Waiting. Having no idea what was taking place inside, realizing as the wait stretched past 6 p.m. that negotiations had reached a tenuous state.
In the end, Wren, the general manager, spoke, and the decision was out. Glavine had been released. “It was a performance decision,” he said.
Then someone mentioned the speed readings that had been reported. “They were not accurate,” Wren said, “just ball-park figures.”
Later, though, Cox came through in his usual stance, defending the player in a radio interview. “His arm is pretty darned strong.”
Then it must have been the money, one million the moment he suited up, with designated incentives down the road. “Not a monetary decision.” Wren said. So did the CEO, Terry McGuirk, who backed it up with his report that it was unanimous, and “That’s good enough for me.”
A million dollars is a pittance for this club with an extended salary cap this season. They poured out millions to sign Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami and Javier Vazquez. Surely another million wouldn’t have disturbed their budget, but deep down inside, you had to feel that it was a matter of, “is it worth for a 43-year-old pitcher coming back from surgery?”
For one who has won 244 games for you, yes. And for one who has been a reputable citizen, and deserves the courtesy of ending his career here, yes.
For those who still hold it against Glavine as a “union man,” forget it. It was his job, and he was true to it. Details of why he left for the Mets have never been made clear, but there is little doubt that he and Schuerholz never duked it out, that Glavine was left hanging and took the Mets’ offer when the Braves never countered.
So much for much for all the water-cooler talk. What gnaws at many is why the Braves led him on, through three minor-league test runs, then decided the velocity wasn’t there. Well, velocity has never been a trademark of Glavine, the pitcher. Location has been. “Pitching in the black,” the home-plate border, depicted his style.
Who did the scouting? Who came to these decisions? We’ll probably never know, but the final cruel decision rests on the Wren regime, and while his deal for Nate McLouth, a quite savvy move, deflected some of the umbrage, it was only slight. For ringing in all our ears was Tom Glavine’s last declaration, “I’m ready to pitch.”
Later, Schuerholz called a press conference and issued an apology for the manner in which all this was handled. But that changed nothing. Nice try, John. But the damage is done.
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June 5th, 2009
4:34 pm
Furman, I love you man, but this time you’re wrong. The Braves did Glavine a favor by even bringing him back when they shouldn’t have. They did give him time to prove he could still pitch in the major leagues, but watching him throw in the low 80’s against kids proved he couldn’t. Like any franchise, they need to give their youth a change to move to the big league roster, and they did the right thing this time.
jimmy
June 5th, 2009
4:37 pm
it would great to see glavine pitch for another team,just to see who is right,glavine or the braves
Mac
June 5th, 2009
4:37 pm
You are right Furman, he did deserve better. Now, though, you are about to get blasted by hundreds of other readers. Close your eyes.
AGTFan
June 5th, 2009
4:39 pm
Furman give up. You’ll never persuade the haters. I guess they think that their employers do them a favor by giving them a job. Boy are they suckers. Of course in todays economy they might be right.
Jeff
June 5th, 2009
4:59 pm
Furman, you hit the nail on the head. The Braves are lowclass. But this is the way they handle things. Neikro, Smoltz, and now Glavine. The Braves shouldn’t be shocked the the empty seats.
Bill
June 5th, 2009
5:11 pm
end of an era….wait, take Bobby Cox and TP with them. Then it would be the end of era. Thanks Wren and keep up the good work.
Steve
June 5th, 2009
5:22 pm
Wait, so Glavine’ s job as a union rep, and his signing with a division rival, is just business, but the Braves decision to free up a roster spot for a much better, and cheaper, pitcher is spiteful? Nice logic.
glove51
June 5th, 2009
5:32 pm
Well, I’ve got to say this blog was about as predictable as the sun rising in the east.
I am sorry, but I have to disagree that the Braves acted with no class. The player personnel guys were unanimous that going with Hanson over Glavine was the correct call. They offered to let Glavine retire, but he said no.
Would it have been smarter to let him start a couple of games, when the Braves player personnel guys to a man did NOT think he could get it done, thereby almost certainly just wasting $1MM? It’s always easy to spedn someone else’s money isn’t it Furman? They gave Tommy G $1MM up front, they did not know he would have the setback ln extended spring training. The $1MM they already paid him was for insurance in case Hanson and/or Medlen weren’t ready. They ARE ready to pitch at a higher level than Tom Glavine would have.
Glavine took the Mets offer when he left, which amounted to LESS money on a cost of living basis, and AFTER he had told Schuerholz that he had changed his mind and wanted to stay with the Braves. He did it because the union put pressure on him because it would help drive up salaries for all players. So, Tom made a BUSINESS decision over a “heart” decision to leave the Braves, but when the Braves make a BUSINESS decision to go with someone else over the “heart” decision to stay with old Tommy G., Tom doesn’t like it and lashes out like the spoiled, entitled, guy he has always been. Furman, how come Tom Glavine gets to do something that is “his job”, but when Frank Wren, et al do the same thing they’re the bad guys?
I was starting to feel a little better about Tom and bad about disliking him for what he did when he left for the Mets. As usual, my first gut instinct when evaluating a person was correct.
I still love John Smoltz and he is definitely free to say what he wants about the Braves releasing Glavine, but he would do well to shut up about this stuff. He is just using this incident to take another shot at the Braves because he is still bitter that they woould not pay him more.
Answer me this: would the Braves pitching staff right now be better or worse had they allocated the type of money Smoltz had wanted to Smoltz?
The answer is obvious: worse.
Bob Horner stayed hurt
June 5th, 2009
5:48 pm
I don’t think Glavine had much to offer this year….he’s 43…with no fast ball…it is what it is….that said….it still hurts to see him just get cut…life aint fair…at least he’s a multi-millionare…could be worse
ed
June 5th, 2009
5:50 pm
I agree with some what’s been said- it was a low-class move on the Braves part. They will loose more than the $1 Million in fans dissatisfaction over the move. THey should have let him start a few games and gave him a chance. Shame on the Braves management.
The Real Gumby
June 5th, 2009
6:08 pm
Okay Braves fans . . . let’s all apologize to Glavine and maybe he will go away.
Another point of view
June 5th, 2009
6:29 pm
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/19685/
Lash La Rue
June 5th, 2009
6:36 pm
Glavines mad because the Braves didn’t offer him a job in the organization. Would love for Glavine to be pitching coach, Mad Dog to be mgr., Chipper hitting Coach , Smoltze asst. mgr and bench coach, keep Hubbie and Perez add Lemkie at 3b coach, Damn what a HOF staff.
Max Sizemore
June 5th, 2009
6:47 pm
glove51, that’s a really good point. Tommy made a business decision to sign with the Mets. Now the Braves make a business decision and he cries foul.
Michael J
June 5th, 2009
7:28 pm
Yes – he did deserve better. The guy was the winning pitcher of the game that provided the Braves their only World Series for Atlanta. Tom will be a Hall of Famer. He’s always been a good guy in my book – a few years ago he took time out of a busy personal appearance schedule to give both my sons his autograph. While others passed them by – he took the time to be friendly – a quality lost on so many other professional athletes. He’s a class guy, who wanted to finish his run in professional baseball here in Atlanta. The Braves should have either not signed him to begin with, or should have let him try and make it back through re-hab. Once they signed him to try and come back this year they should have honored their committment. He deserved to go out a hero, not a viewed as a broken down pitcher who could not do the job. Geez Braves – does loyalty and integrity of players mean anything to you guys?
Baracked the vote!
June 5th, 2009
7:39 pm
Glavine probably deserved better, but the all-time screw job by the braves to a player was Niekro. they released a player, who was picked up by the yankees and proceeded to win 16 games for them in 84 and 85. I saw him pitch in memorial stadium in 84 against the O’s and all the yankee fans were chanting, “No nukes, just nieks!” great stuff. gave me a great reason to dislike joe torre.
Mike
June 5th, 2009
8:11 pm
Same old Braves. The poor treatment of so many. Tommy went to NY and was treated better on the way in and way out then he has by his “home team”. This organization has gone from deft to pathetic the last 10 years. It is not like they will be better than 500 either way.
130on2
June 5th, 2009
8:40 pm
You are absolutely correct Furman. The man has had one injury but the Glavine haters act like he is more beat up than a 1955 Chevy in Cuba. If he chooses to play for someone else I firmly believe he will have a good year. I hope Chipper is paying attention. If I were him there would definitely not be any more salary adjustments to accomodate the Braves. I suggest that he should require them to pay in advance. He definitely doesn’t need to expect to retire as a Brave. Wren has less class than George Steinbrenner.
crabapplejoe
June 5th, 2009
9:28 pm
I don’t know whether Glavine had anything left or not. I don’t quibble with the Braves decision to release him if that was their best judgement. But, dam* we’re talking about a future HOFer who will enter the HOF as a Brave. He gave the best years of his great pitching career to this city. Couldn’t they have somehow found a way to do this at a joint press conference or something a little less demeaning than this. They released him the same way they would have released a two year AAA utility infielder for goodness sake. As a native Atlantan I am sorely disappointed by the way this was handled.
Tbone226
June 5th, 2009
9:41 pm
We deserved better when he bolted for New York for more money. I mean if he and Smoltzie cannot make it the rest of their lives on what they have made in their careers with the Braves then they have more problems than getting their feelings hurt by the way they were treated by the Braves. You want respect then you need to show respect also.
Gene
June 5th, 2009
9:42 pm
The Braves showed a total lack of class with Smoltz and Glavin. Scherholtz and Wren have made some dumb moves, but the treatment of Glavin was dirty. The organization is back where it was when Ted Turner was dancing on the dugout, that is tacky!
BraveStreet
June 5th, 2009
10:01 pm
The braves paid glavine over $100 mil during his career—and deserved much more loyalty from him. Instead, he led a player strike, shutting down most of the season and later took off for new york for a few more bucks in salary. Then, he crawls back after that busted job and whines about “loyalty” and professionalism. He only understands money. Hit the road tom—you got paid a lot, now you’re washed up.
Braves fan since berth
June 5th, 2009
10:22 pm
If it was performance based Bobby Cox would’ve been long gone
Reid Adair
June 5th, 2009
10:29 pm
Furman, you are 100 percent correct. If they made the commitment to sign him back in the spring, the least they could have done is give him one Major League start.
As bad as the offense is, this team is not going to be one game out of first place or the playoffs come September.
Just another lie from Frank Wren. He’s getting good at that.
Reid Adair
June 5th, 2009
10:30 pm
“Brave Street,” Glavine going to New York wasn’t about the money. It was about the fact that the Braves let the negotiations break down, and then they weren’t willing to make the long-term commitment that the Mets were.
JB
June 5th, 2009
10:34 pm
If this is the way we treat hall of famers, then why bother following the sport?
I mean…really? What is the purpose? To follow numbers, nameless faces, and jerseys running around a ballfield?
Who are we supposed to cheer then? Who is it, then, that all of the naysayers are cheering for? Please…give me a name. I’m curious.
Sports are a shared experience. Investing in the people and situations is what gives it meaning to us. To all of the people arguing with numbers and is he good enough…bravo. But you’re talking about a different subject entirely. He deserved better.
braves70
June 5th, 2009
10:40 pm
Right on Mr. Bisher. A minor league organization would have handled this better than the Braves. Frank Wren is a cancer that must be removed at once before he kills what is left of the Braves fan base. We all see now why he got fired in Baltimore after just one season. He showed the same disrespect to Cal Ripken Jr. that he did to Glavine. I for one hope the Braves never win anything as long as that weasel Frank Wren is here.
Billy
June 5th, 2009
10:45 pm
I agree with 51 & Max, so— Tommy don’t go away mad, just go away!
glove51
June 5th, 2009
11:39 pm
Man, I have never read as many stupid f’in posts in my life. Glavine is washed up. No sin; it happens to the best of them.
When you fools say the Braves coul dhave handled it better — how??? By letting him pitch? Causing the team to lose and Glavine to get embarrassed??? That is handling it better?
When does Tom Glavine get called upon to “handle something better”?
I just can not understand the blind stupidity in these posts. Does it hurt you guys somehopw to admit Glavine is washed up? Do you lose a piece of your past? The man was paid $1MM for making a handful of minor league rehab starts.
Drexel Gal
June 6th, 2009
2:17 am
I made this same comment when the Braves allowed John Smoltz to leave, so here it is again: “If the Yankees could release BABE RUTH, then the [insert team name here] can release [insert player name here].” Clear enough? Glavine earned nearly $129-Million in his career (about the same as Mike Piazza did in his). He won the deciding game of the only World Series championship the Braves will ever see in Atlanta. In short, you and Glavine must GET OVER IT.
john d
June 6th, 2009
4:48 am
I agree Glavine”s departure should have been handled better. What I am tired of is the constant whinning from these guys! Especially Smoltz! He has constantly trashed this organization since he left. Shut up John you were paid quite handsomely for your service here.
Ken Stallings
June 6th, 2009
5:06 am
Furman, from someone who normally agrees with you, this time I cannot believe you fail to understand why this played out like it did.
The only comment you made to give objective evidence it was a money decision was the Bobbby Cox quote that his arm is still strong. Frankly, I’m willing to believe Cox was just being Cox. He can’t ever bring himself to speak ill of any player, especially those he loves.
I believe the Braves did not string Glavine along. And, more to the point, the reason it went down like this validates it was a performance decision. Had it been a money move, that decision would have been made before spring training broke up. The Braves were genuinely hoping Glavine would return to MLB-winning form, which as you know isn’t nearly the same thing as Low-A-winning form!
It was only after Glavine’s final appearance in A-ball when the decision to offer him retirement or release was made. It took the collective wisdom and observations of the scouts to force the decision. Glavine getting out low-A class players isn’t a surprise. They haven’t seen his changeup, nor been forced to deal with pitchers with such savvy.
However, even in his prime, many times Glavine was rocked despite pin-point placement of his changeup. I remember the comment in the All-Star game by Andy Van Slyke, who quipped, “It was a closest to the pin contest,” with every AL hitter hitting chip shots to left and right center field.
His fastball was clocked in A-ball around 84 best case. Let’s give the scouts benefit for knowing their stuff. Let’s assume the radar gun posting those numbers was fast. Makes sense. You want to impress the home crowd.
What if Glavine’s fastball was more like 78 to 80 mph best case? Is that going to keep any MLB hitter honest? Heck no! They’ll hang out over the plate like some always did and dare him to throw the “cheese” inside on them where they can wail on it! That’s with Glavine’s arm at its best. Pitch 50 innings and will it be better?
Saying Glavine’s arm is strong, isn’t the same as saying his stuff is good. His arm may not be painful, meaning it’s strong. But, overall his velocity may be down enough to make him vunerable to MLB quality hitters.
I’m truly surprised a sports writer with your experience cannot see this.
John
June 6th, 2009
5:40 am
I’ll never forget what a total arrogant jerk he was during the strike season. I fell in love with Baseball all over again in ‘91, the strike and losers like Tom took that away.
Good riddance Tom, don’t let the screen door hit you in the tail on the way out…
Roswell Ed
June 6th, 2009
6:16 am
Pay me 10s of millions of dollars and then release me anyway you want.
What about 4 yrs ago when he left the Braves for minimally more money?
Come see me at libertarianhumor.com
War Jacket
June 6th, 2009
7:37 am
What goes around comes around. The Braves made a business decision and Glavine feels jilted. Doesn’t feel too good does it Tommy Boy? I will say that it appears that expectations were not properly set by the Braves. I see no fault in the decision, but it could have been handled much more professionally. A million bucks is still a million bucks, and Glavine does need any bail out money.
Sharecropper
June 6th, 2009
7:43 am
Now, look. There is no easy way to cut the ties, and I spent 42 years in the newspaper business trying to find one. The facts are fairly obvious. Yes, the team panicked after Glavine’s six innings, knowing they faced spending a million bucks for a guy who obviously had nothing left. He wasn’t pitching against minor league batters for nothing, you know. Given the choice of a hot runner or a washed up has been — sorry, but the truth hurts — they chose the hot runner. Too bad. Besides, where was all this angst when Glavine walked away from the Braves for more money with the Mets? Did he owe the Braves some loyalty and consideration? Nope. Baseball, outside the lines, is always about showing the money. So get over it. There ain’t no crying in baseball, and Glavine needs to stop his whining. It’s not like the Braves sentenced him to a lifetime of poverty. God. Enough is enough.
Dave
June 6th, 2009
8:16 am
Ok you don’t like how they did Furman Bisher how would you have done it different. Would you have not resigned him at the beginning when you had nobody signed yet? I don’t think you would. Pretty much signing him was out of necessity then he became an insurance policy pitchers get injured all the time. Finally I guess I ask those fans who wanted to keep Glavine for nostalgia why? Are the Braves really competing for something this year probably not. We all know Braves attendance is bad. Here you have our biggest attraction Hanson is drawing as many people to the Gwinnett team to see him as are seeing the Braves now. The Reason why Hanson over Glavine is to try to get the excitement back to the Braves to build attendance. Glavine was a rerun of an old movie during a rain out rather than seeing a summer premier of the latest blockbuster we have been waiting to see. Some of you don’t know when to say when on Glavine or Smoltz you care more about the final hurrah than the Braves looking to our future rather than our past. I bet if they had Glavine pitch his final game for the Braves few would go because they would expect another lose..
Dawggone-it
June 6th, 2009
8:31 am
Screw Glavine. He sold out the Braves for a higher contract offer to go to our rival. When has he apologized? We’ve paid him millions over the years-he’s provided excellent pitching over the years. Its over-just business.
Hawkdawg
June 6th, 2009
8:33 am
Furman, isn’t about time for YOU to retire? I hear Florida calling your name. Go pack up your depends and prune juice and take a hike!
JP
June 6th, 2009
8:43 am
Glavine deserves no loyalty. Why should he be treated any differently than, say, Andruw Jones? Glavine isn’t a “Brave”, he’s a baseball player who followed the $’s during his career. Adios Tommy Boy, enjoy your retirement.
Regularjoe
June 6th, 2009
9:16 am
(Old Furman) Ol Fuman. That’s how we pronounce it down here; Ol Fuman. Ol Fuman, we don’t need football playoff “that’s agin tradition.” Ol Fuman, “You all didn’t treat Glavine rat”. Ol Fuman is being Old Furman. Sometimes folks just stick around too long.
JFKDawg
June 6th, 2009
9:20 am
Furman, Was this article mandated by your AARP association?
AlamedaSteve
June 6th, 2009
11:59 am
Brave fans, just know now that your team will never win anything as long as Frank Wren is running things. The team may make more money, though.
BigMike
June 6th, 2009
12:43 pm
Mr. Scherhultz, While dishing out one to Tom, please give one to all of Atlanta, for your dismantling of Justice, Grissom, and a rookie Andrew Jones.Those 3 with Chipper could have been 2 more championships. But year after year the team became more vanilla. If you know what I mean!
JR
June 6th, 2009
1:27 pm
Furman
Once you are the class of Atlanta sports. Thanks for recognizing Tom Glavine. Time will be kind. He is a great athlete and a winner and beyond. Perfect role model for all young athletes!!!
Marcus
June 6th, 2009
2:06 pm
I don’t agree with that at all. Where was the loyalty when he (Glavine) left to go to the Mets. Turnabout is fair play to me. I was bothered at first, but then I thought about it and said “See Ya”. He will always be remembered for what he did in terms of assisting to bring up a championship to ATL but it was time to move on.
Carl S
June 6th, 2009
2:12 pm
What a classless bunch of — holes. No wonder the team doesn’t win. Now each and every player will be looking over their shoulder saying, am I next ??? How can an owner and president etc get the Braves in a winning mood. They have lost all their respect from the team and their fans !
Dave
June 6th, 2009
2:47 pm
Thanks again Furman for having Mr. Kennedy send his plane to Orlando for Lewis, I will never forget what you did to help him.
TPM
June 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
John Kincaid of 680 the fan claims that major league baseball attendence has never been better. So please ignore all the empty seats at Turner Field this summer when the yankees and red sox are not in town
TPM
June 6th, 2009
2:57 pm
Tom Glavine will not pitch again this year. He will rest on his laurels from his performance in Rome Ga. Public sentiment is good for him and he can walk away.
John Smoltz continues to take shots at The Braves brass for not giving him 5 million bucks. He would sound a lot more credible if he had thrown a major league pitch in the last year. AAA Pawtucket does not count
Justafan
June 6th, 2009
3:44 pm
John Smoltz continues to take shots at Braves…TPM>
John Smoltz is and has been a great HOF pitcher #1 in my book. He has every right to take up for a friend that he thinks has been wronged. I admire him for that but I don’t agree the Braves mistreated Glavine. I do believe Smoltz has alot of info that you and I will never known. The Braves didn’t offer Smoltz what he thought was right (he has that right). The Red Sox did and he took the money as you and I would have. Now get over it. God bless you, and the USA and may we keep our free speech right..
Yo Bravo
June 6th, 2009
3:45 pm
Furman-Why is it ok for a player to make a business decision thats best for him and not for management? Why is ok for a player to make teams jump through hoops in regards to contract & perks before signing with only one? But you chastise management for basicaly the same. The Braves made a business decsion,only time will tell if it was the right one. Furman-These type of decsions are made daily out here in the real world,somewhere most players have never been before.
tpm
June 6th, 2009
4:39 pm
Justafan- John Smoltz is not on the Red Sox active roster. Go to redsox.com and look for him. He is not there. So – please explain to me why the braves were wrong to not resign him. AAA Pawtucket is not the Major Leagues.
glove51
June 6th, 2009
5:18 pm
Reid Adair: your explanation of Glavine’s move to the Mets is total BS, they offered the same number of years.
Jeff
June 6th, 2009
5:33 pm
Furman is right, he deserved a more professional and humane ending to his time as a Brave.
Braves mgmt. showed a lack of class and thinking, setting a poor example for fans everywhere.
I have no issue with parting ways – but it was poorly handled.
J.
jgon
June 6th, 2009
6:07 pm
I watched Moyer pitch last night against L.A.. He is 46 yrs. old and his fast ball never surpassed 80 mph. Other pitches in 60’s and 70’s. L.A. could do nothing against him until Lidge came in with the fast ball and he lost the game. Location and change of speeds. I will never believe that Glavine is washed up.He can still pitch.F— Wren adn the rest of the them. Braves pitchers have never had much support from the offense.
dawes
June 6th, 2009
7:49 pm
furman bisher do you remember how old glavine is glavine is washed up and need to retire
All I'm Saying Is...
June 6th, 2009
8:26 pm
You are 100% correct Furman and thanks for speaking out!
All I'm Saying Is...
June 6th, 2009
8:34 pm
I’ve been a Braves fan since 1969. Anyone who has been with this team since that time knows and values what homegrown talents such as Justice and Glavine and Smoltz too (who we picked up almost ready for the big leagues in the Doyle Alexander trade) did for this team. Same thing goes for Aaron, Phil Niekro, and Dale Murphy. And I also know how Aaron, Phil, and Dale exited the franchise. Aaron was traded to Milwaukee to allow him to finish his career where he started and he was the only one afforded such respect.
Despite the best efforts of many and aside from 1982 and 1983, the Braves were largely a laughingstock from inception until our run began in 1991. And given what Glavine and Justice in particular meant and the fact they were products of our farm system, an enlightened owner (i.e. a person not a corporation) would have taken steps to ensure they finished their careers as Braves and retired as Braves. Does this need to be done for any athlete? No, of course not. They are well compensated and free to play for the highest bidder and there is nothing wrong with that as that is free enterprise which is the cornerstone of capitalism.
All I’m Saying Is, if I were the owner, I would have made sure that my employees handled this with Glavine, Smoltz, and Justice differently not because they alone deserved it but because I would have wanted them to be treated in a special manner because they brought this town its second (and for many only as most (not me) disregard the Atlanta Chiefs NASL title) championship and ended a dreary history for the franchise and because I would want others to know that I ran a first-class organization.
Jack G.
June 6th, 2009
10:25 pm
Furman
Now lets have a blog giving AJC hell for the way they let all the reporters go. In other words they in effect said dont let the door his you in the rear end on your way out.
DB
June 6th, 2009
11:38 pm
Furman,
I think you’re wrong this time. When Glavine left for the Mets it was a business decision and nothing personal. When the Braves go in a different direction for the sake of winning, all the sudden it’s not business but personal.
Glavine needs to realize that he’s not owed anything. For goodness sake, how many millions of dollars has he been given to throw a baseball over a plate? What kind of blessed life has he been given? His house, his cars, his life after baseball taken care of financially, exactly what is it that the Braves owe him?
This is about pride and the human spirit. It happens to all of us. This is about Tommy Glavine’s feelings and the Braves feelings. When it comes to shelling out millions of dollars, it’s the Braves feelings that matter. It’s their money. Tommy isn’t owed anything. I would like to see him cared for (his feelings that is). But you don’t care for somebody’s feelings by giving them millions of dollars.
Give it a rest. Tommy needs some therapy right now to manage his emotions. If he really wants to pitch, let him go somewhere else and prove it. If the Braves are wrong, so be it. And if Tommy doesn’t want to come back to be honored by the Braves later on, that’s Tommy’s loss.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Tom Glavine. I was at the World Series clincher. He was an awesome pitcher. But I didn’t hear Glavine or Smoltz quoted when Furcal stiffed the Braves ( a business decision by the way).
Negotiations are done with two powers having power. But it is not equal power in business. It’s about the commodity. Tommy has to come to the conclusion we all have to come to. At some point in our lives, the world doesn’t value us financially as it once did. So there are therapists to help with our feelings about that.
Outhouse
June 7th, 2009
9:00 am
Mr. Bisher you re right. It’s not so much that Tom Glavine was released, it’s how it was done. The Braves have become very hamhanded. Frank Wren better get up to speed or he will soon be the former GM of the Braves.
bull-gator
June 7th, 2009
10:04 am
The Braves should have never re-signed him in the first place. Gee, do you think all the people laid off in this country in the past 8 months should file a grievence if they could? Glavine is whining like a spoiled rotten kid that can’t take bad news like a man. What a wimp. Go get a real job, you self important arrogant snob. You overpaid “professional athletes” have played a kids game and been treated like royalty for so long you’ve lost perspective on reality. Welcome to the real world, Kid Glavine.
Dennis
June 7th, 2009
10:19 am
Maybe it could have been handled better, but the release itself was not wrong. I saw the first regular season game in Atlanta and though I have not lived there for 40 years, I still consider the braves my home team. Mr. Bisher believes the Braves should not have had Glavine pitch in the minors to determine his abilities then release him. How else could it have been done? Pitch on the sidelines? We all know that says nothing. The Braves paid Glavine $1,000,000 to attempt a comeback for surgery. Why is that wrong? When Glavine left for the Mets, did he consider the feelings of the Atlanta fans? Or did he make a business decision that was in the best interest of his family? Of course he chose his own family, not the Braves fans. Frank Wren and the Braves front office are charged with putting the best team on the field and the release of Glavine and the installment of Hanson gives the Braves a better opportunity to win. If Glavine can pitch, another team will sign him, but I can assure you it will not be for the $3,500,000 that the Braves would have been obligated to pay.
There is no chance that Glavine can win in a grievance procedure, but of course he will pursue it because his feelings are hurt. If only the fans could have filed a grievance against him when he left for the Mets…..and Smoltz will be adding every snide remark he can to anything that allows him to vent his spleen against the Braves. I appreciate all that both have done for the Braves, but we are better off without them at this point. They made their decisions for personal, money driven reasons and did not consider Atlanta fans when they did…so now the Braves do the same….good I say.
Carl
June 7th, 2009
12:23 pm
Mr. Bisher, why do you and so many others leave out that Glavine left for the Mets when you discuss him “deserving” to retire a Brave? Regardless of how and why it went down, he chose to not be a lifetime Brave, thus no continuous service. He would have retired a Met if they wanted to keep him longer than they did and paid him more than anyone else would have. The Braves did bring him back, and it bit them in the butt. 10 million dollars later and what, 5 wins? How is that poor treatment? Sounds like Glav got a sweetheart deal but when the Braves decided to stop the money drain, he cried foul and you fell for it hook line and sinker. If the Braves have made a wrong assessment of his ability to still pitch, then let him prove it with another team. Oh wait, is that crickets chirping? Who else is throwing a million bucks his way to try and prove he can still pitch?
demetrius
June 7th, 2009
2:05 pm
the bbtaaves are stupid for doing glavine like that they need to get rid of that japanese no talking english pitcher he sucks they neeed a new gm and can we please get a new hitting coach for the braves to help franceour.
demetrius
June 7th, 2009
2:09 pm
We need a new gm and hitting coach real bad.Frank wren is a sorry gm if not the worst ever. We need a guaranteed left fielddeer and Jordan Schafer needs to choke up on the bat a little bit.Jeff Franceour needs to be patience at the plate hello not in high school no more.
Hockey Fan
June 7th, 2009
5:08 pm
I personally don’t care for Tom Glavine (personally or professionally). I do hope he signs with some other team and comes to Atlanta to get some revenge on us at age 43. I will drive up from Albany to see him get put in his place (outside the lines) again!
Kent Croft
June 7th, 2009
8:01 pm
The only thing that I have to say is” Give Glavine one start at the BIG League level to see if he can hold his own. If he gets lit up, then release him. It is a $$$$$$$$ thing, not a performance. Glavine deserved a better exit, at least some kind of Thank You – Send Off.
skeezix
June 7th, 2009
9:35 pm
You are 100% right Furman. Braves management, since Wren came into the picture, has gone from classy to clumsy with zero creditability. Wren is the one with the performance issue and needs to be released asap.
Lou Vales
June 7th, 2009
11:25 pm
Furman, You’ve been collecting Social Security since Wally Butts and Bear Bryant used to talk to one another, why not give him some of your monthly stipend??
By the way this is still AMERICA and in all other businesses they give you a watch when your never really good stuff finally evolves into slop. You are slop. Go away. Go back to Billerica and organize a Khoury Youth League baseball team.
Pool Boy
June 7th, 2009
11:27 pm
Glavine’s wife hd the good sense to “retrire” from Tommy and move on to someone with more on the ball.
Billy Bob
June 7th, 2009
11:57 pm
Tommy’s wife sees the end is near.
Dr Henry / augusta
June 8th, 2009
2:25 am
Sure Glavine deserved better….So did Smoltz…So did Brett Favre…So does every other athlete that thinks he can still play when his team has other ideas. These hall of famers or legends need to learn when to step down and accept their fate gracefully…Tom Glavine pitched wonderfully for the Braves….But the last meaningful games he pitched in were the 02 playoffs against the Giants….We lost those playoffs 3 games to 2 and in Glavines 2 starts his era was 15.26….When the Mets didnt resign him after the 07 season the Braves were the only team that gave him a chance to continue his career….He was injured last year and now he needs to face the writing on the wall and retire…The Braves dont need to keep giving him chances based on what he did in the 90s….So long Tom…
BDAWG
June 8th, 2009
6:30 am
This isn’t 1991 or 92 or even 2002.I t was time for Smoltz and Glavine both to go. They are well past their primes and it would be unfair to the Braves’ future to keep prolonging the inevitable. We could have kept them both around for another five years because I’m sure with the ego both players have, they would have kept re-upping. But the past is the past and it is time to move on. Let’s see what Hanson has, what Medlen has and move forward instead of living in the past. I would have loved to have kept two of the best Braves who ever put the “A” across their chest here until their retirement but this is a business and sometimes things just don’t go that way.
Ronald
June 8th, 2009
8:45 am
Bisher, retire already. You fall on the wrong side of every issue. I think your hatred of Bear Bryant warped your brain.
john
June 8th, 2009
9:30 am
Im tired of hearing people cry about Glavine. If you watched his performance in the minors you would understand that the management was right. If he had been a twenty year old and not coming off arm surgery you might wait. Do the Braves have enough time to wait. Who is the better pitcher Glavine or Hanson. I did not sak who will be in the hall of fame. Who is the better pitcher right now. Glavine and Smoltz are whining about how badly the Braves are treating them, but they showed that they feel that baseball is just a business in their actions but have trouble feeling that the Braves should look at it in the same manner. I would have loved to see Glavine back but it would not have been in the Braves best intrest. Do you think maybe Glavine was looking to go out for Atlanta, pitch one game and get shelled and retire a million dollars richer
Braves Mom
June 8th, 2009
9:57 am
I hate to disagree with you sir, but on this one I have to.
Baseball is a business, one from which Tom Glavine has made millions of dollars. Now that things are not going his way, he shouldn’t whine about the business that made him so much money.
I saw where he claims he feels “betrayed”. Now he knows how the fans of the Braves felt when he left us for more money. Karma is tough isn’t it Tommy?
I, for one, think Wren made the right decision. It is time to let go of the glory years of the 90s. People with great vision look forward, not back.
Maybe he and Smoltz can take a trip on Smoltzie’s private jet and whine to each other about how horribly they were treated, wahh.
Scott
June 8th, 2009
10:25 am
So Tommy Hanson’s performance…6 IP, 6 ER, and 3 HRs was better than Glavine could do? Yeah, Tommy should be good down the line, but looks like someone took him out of the oven too soon…
gt
June 8th, 2009
10:37 am
yall in the big A have a Braves Funeral Day- get together and absolutely no one show up. Let the worthless ownership know. Let them move . I was at the first game ever in 1966. Was there one night right after Turner bought them. Time Warner and these new people, and their henchmen, are legalized thieves. They are as worthless as the people who wrecked this nation’s economy, just not as big a scale or as important. They have given or virtually given away a whole All-Star team. Any two could bring big success to the Braves, but the wanted to be paid. They trade the world for Tex, and then give him away.They gave away many others, including the 3 pitchers. They get Reneria, then give him away. The braves are the most valuable team in the league. They have helped more teams than the Red Cross has nations.
Thank God those of us from Atlanta have our college teams to pull for!
GO BRAVES OWNERSHIP! AWAY FOREVER!
JAY
June 8th, 2009
10:52 am
Please stop crying Glavine. A lot of people have lost their jobs.At least you can go count your money. So please stop crying!!!
Cecelia
June 8th, 2009
11:50 am
Glavine knows his capabilities better than anyone else. He is a proven winner & deserved a chance.
It only took one time through the Brewers batting order to knock out Tom Hanson. Glavine could have been better that!
We had 14 years of feast; now I guess the 14 years of famine have started.
glove51
June 8th, 2009
2:00 pm
Scott: you’re not a rocket scientist are you?
wxwax
June 8th, 2009
2:47 pm
Glavine left the Braves for the money.
Why shouldn’t the Braves fire him for the same reason?
Glavine wasn’t all mushy and sentimental when he quit on the Braves. Why should he expect the Braves to be all mushy and sentimental when they quit on him?
Prima donna player attitude, if you ask me.
Suck it up, Glavine. it’s a business. You proved that when you left. Now shut up and sit down.
Stewart
June 8th, 2009
3:15 pm
great column – summarized perfectly my sentiments. I realize that it’s all about business, but it just shows how clueless Wren and the owners are- they failed to consider the public relations implications, just as they did with the Smoltz situation
BeachGaBulldog
June 8th, 2009
3:35 pm
Furman, you were wrong about Francoeur and you’re wrong about Glavine, too. Bottom line is Jeff needs to go, NOW! I will say the Braves didn’t handle the Glavine thing in the right way, but they owe him nothing. Heck, Glavine landed on my permanent s*** list when he showed his self at the 1994 players strike. What a greedy piece of garbage. Then, he decides to bolt for the Mets a few years ago. To hell with him! I am glad that he is gone. I admit I was shocked, but ohhhh so glad. He has made millions of dollars, and still wants more. GOOD RIDDANCE!
Carolyn Wilder
June 8th, 2009
3:47 pm
I can’t agree with you this time Mr. Bisher. I wasn’t happy when the Braves brought Glavine back. And pray tell, what did he do to earn his salary while he was here? The Braves showed him the same loyalty that he showed the Braves when he defected o the Mets.
hayden caulfield
June 8th, 2009
3:51 pm
When do we get rid of Wren?
Mitch
June 8th, 2009
5:28 pm
Furman, I’m inclined to agree with you. I dont have a problem with Glavine being released, but it’s how it was done that bothers me.
To me, one of two options should have been done. A. The Braves should not have signed him at all last winter, or, B. If they did sign him, and he went through all that rehab, I would have brought him up for at least one major league start, to see what he could do against real major league hitters, even in the mold of the “Phil Niekro Goodbye” game that the Braves gave Phil in 1987. Glavine is the third winningest pitcher in Braves history, behind Spahn and Niekro. I think he would have deserved it.
Release him? Yes, they had every right to do that. How it was done? No, it should not have been conducted in the manner that the Braves executed it in. The only way we will really know if the Braves were right in their decision, is if Glavine signs with another major league team, and how he pitches. Whether or not that happens, is a question mark at best.
Mitch
Allan Brown
June 8th, 2009
6:11 pm
Anybody want a Braves hat CHEAP? The Braves are turning into a classless act. If they lwill handle Smoltz and Glavine in this manner, then the rest of the roster better watch out. I watched Glavine pitch his 3rd, and final, rehab in Rome and he did what he always does; painted the corners and worked the off-speed pitches. Glavine deserved to be placed back on the active roster. Was it the money? You betcha!
BraveFan73
June 8th, 2009
9:40 pm
How does Tommy Glavine get off by crying a river over the manner that he was treated. A “business decision” by the Atlanta Braves? It is borderline hilarious that Fumran (God bless his soul) forgot about Glavine’s “business decision” to leave the Atlanta Braves for the hapless NY Mets, who lost before Tommy got there and lost afterwards.
I am going to go out on a limb right now and proclaim that there is no way that Tom Glavine is going to be a factor on any competitive MLB team. The bottom line is Glavine would not have made the rotation. Therefore, why should he be on the roster? If a guy has over 20 years of MLB experience and can not make the rotation, then that guy should be released. Good-bye Tommy. Thanks for the memories. Tin Hudson will be back. He is better than Glavine…much better. Now, Tommy Hanson is a Brave. He is better than Glavine too.
I guess Glavine wants Frank Wren to hold his hand while he cuts him. He was not good enough after surgery. Hats off to Wren for not allowing this guy (who left our organization) push our franchise around.
justbiznus
June 9th, 2009
8:20 am
Mr.Bisher, I have nothing but respect for you and your column and have nothing personally against Tom Glavine. I used to work with his wife and have met him and he is a nice guy. But lets not forget the fact that he “shocked and disappointed” (Tom’s words) alot of fans in ATL by making a buisness decision when he went to the Mets. Where was his loyalty to the club then? He could have taken less to stay with the Braves but chose to take the money. I dont blame him for chosing the money Im just saying he had the choice. Now the shoe is on the other foot and Tom is unhappy with the lack of love from the Braves. It may be clitche, but ” WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND”. Its just bizness.
sad brotha
June 9th, 2009
9:51 am
The inept-incompetent Terry McJerk is the culprit. Now that he is on his “own” we see the results!
Keeping It Real
June 9th, 2009
10:16 am
Baseball is a business. Just ask Sanders,Justice, Gant, Dye, Jones, Lofton, Grissom,McGriff, Furcal,Nixon,Andrus,Bentamint, Martel,Aaron,Baker and countless others. Most of these guys and the umpires giving him the outside corner had something to do with his winning 300 games,becoming a millionaire and going to the hall of famer. It sure wasn’t his overpowering fastball. Smoltz was the real pitcher on the Braves. Enough already about the egotistical Tom Glavine.
Enough
June 9th, 2009
10:45 am
gt June 8th, 2009 10:37 am wrote “They get Reneria, then give him away.”
Uh, last time I checked the Braves got Jair Jurrjens for Renteria.
matt
June 9th, 2009
12:05 pm
I’m getting tired of this whole Glavine thing. I’ve been a Braves fan my entire life and I have nothing but respect for Tommy and everything he has done for this organization. I was a little shocked and mad when I first heard of the release, but after a little time, I realize it was the right decision. I mean, Glavine wasn’t exactly “lights out” last year before he got hurt, and now, people expect him to be the Tommy of old at 43 years old, after surgery and after a year of not pitching? Doesn’t make sense. I think the Braves gave him plenty of opportunities to show he still has it, and according to 100% of scouts that watched his rehab, he didn’t. And it’s proven further with the lack of interest from other teams to sign him.
I’d like to have seen how many of the fans would have been calling for Wren’s head when Glavine came back and got that 83-85 mph fastball whacked all over the park. He couldn’t have won in this decision. Do any of you really think that Wren and the rest of the front office didn’t agonize over this decision? They made a baseball decision, not a financial one.
It really makes me sad how Glavine and Smoltz have been reduced to trash talking the organization that gave them so much over the years. I have always been and will remain fans of both of theirs, and I hope all this doesn’t affect their eventual HOF inductions with Braves caps on their heads.
Oh yeah, I’m not one of those anti-Glavine because of the union thing guys either. Never cared about that.
Just don’t see how anyone can argue that the Braves aren’t better with Hanson over Glavine.
The Alpha Male
June 9th, 2009
12:55 pm
Furman….. go back to sleep. This story wasn’t important enough for you to wake up for.
UGA88
June 9th, 2009
1:15 pm
Glavine did not deserve better. Business is business. If anyone should know that, it’s Mr. Union man himself. I have no sympathy for him. He’s chasing the money, but this time, came up short…
Billy
June 9th, 2009
9:12 pm
End these post, GLAVINE is finished in atlanta!!!
Justafan
June 10th, 2009
9:42 am
This is old news..5 days. Time for new POST.