Braves have gone from the standard to a sideshow
That's Frank Wren on the left, and the skeleton remains of Tom Glavine and John Smoltz hanging on the right. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com.)
For as much fun as it was to poke fun at the pomposity exuded by John Schuerholz throughout the 1990s — particularly every time he referred to the Braves as a “great, grand organization” — the dapper general manager generally was on point.
The Braves were great. And they were grand. And they were organized.
I’m not sure what’s happened over the last several months. But great and grand have morphed into insignificant and infamous. This is your disorganization now. The Braves aren’t the standard. They’re a sideshow.
They tell Tom Glavine to rehab. But they don’t tell him that they’ve kind of changed their mind about bringing him back.
They tell the public it’s not about the $1 million roster guarantee. But we’ve seen too much evidence to the contrary — declining revenues, declining payroll, the John Smoltz decision — and understand it is about the guaranteed money.
Is it just me, or does Chipper Jones look like he's not buying what John Schuerholz is selling? (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
They claim their reason for Glavine being dropkicked is performance based. But that’s so unbelievably illogical because the man never was given a chance to perform, unless you count his rehab starts in the minors, where, by the way, he had thrown 11 straight shutout innings.
I’m sorry. Was 12 the cutoff?
Braves executive Terry McGuirk, who emerges any time there’s a fire, was asked the obvious question: Why not allow Glavine to pitch even one game and re-evaluate him then? Did the veteran pitcher not deserve that opportunity after months of rehab?
McGuirk’s answer to our David O’Brien: “We’re sort of at the point where every win counts.”
If you looked up disingenuous, you would find Terry McGuirk’s picture.
I’m not disputing that every win counts. But organizations make decisions every day with an eye on tomorrow. Example: The Braves called up Kris Medlen from Gwinnett instead of Tommy Hanson last month because it figured Medlen eventually would be sent back down, and they didn’t want Hanson on a yo-yo. There was never a thought that Medlen was better than Hanson or gave the Braves a better chance to win.
And by the way, how could anybody be certain that Glavine’s arm would fall off in his first start and Hanson will debut with a six-hit shutout . . . and that would be the difference in this year’s pennant race?
I didn’t think anything could top Frank Wren’s mishandling of Smoltz. Then came this latest dumping on a franchise legend.
One reader put it best. “I heard he [Wren] wants to sign Dale Murphy just so he can release him,” wrote Antonio Gramsci.
It has been that kind of year for Wren. This follows a winter of failures, fizzles and soap operas.
Pick your headache. Jake Peavy. A.J. Burnett. Rafael Furcal. Ken Griffey, Jr. A $23 million contract for Kenshin Kawakami (File that one under, “Every game counts.”)
I’ll just say this: Wren had better be right about a lot of things. If the Braves turn back into winners, it justifies a lot (though not everything).
Tom Glavine said he felt blindsided and betrayed. Pretty sure we never heard those words in the 1990s (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com.)
But right now this franchise is in the process of undoing a lot of the goodwill it built up in the 1990s. It has lost cache and class. It makes strange decisions, miscalculates the backlash, and then scrambles to explain itself.
Does this sound like the Braves of 14 straight division titles, five pennants and a World Series?
Schuerholz actually made a public apology Friday about the way Glavine’s release was handled. This came a day after he said: “That was a big organizational moment. It was appropriate and respectful of Tom that we were all there.”
I’m not sure what would be worse: 1) That Schuerholz was just spinning to take some of the heat off Wren; or, 2) That for as long as he, Wren and McGuirk thought about this decision and calculated its delivery, they now admit they just botched it.
Talk about losing a foot off your fastball.
Maybe Tom Glavine pitches again. Maybe not.
Maybe John Smoltz pitches again. Maybe not.
Either way, it doesn’t excuse the way either was handled. It doesn’t excuse a lot of what this organization has become.
It’s hard to say which franchise is now the standard in major league baseball. It’s not hard to determine which isn’t.
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280 comments Add your comment
Ward Cleaver
June 6th, 2009
6:59 pm
Later Jeff, the DOB crowd is here. Boring.
Traver
June 6th, 2009
7:00 pm
Amen Jeff. Amen. Atlanta, Welcome to the depths of mediocrity. Welcome back to the 1980’s. Hey Frank – Word of the day – “Exception”. I said it when Smoltz was exiled and I’ll say it now that you have all but burned Tommy at the stake – there are exceptions to every rule. John Smoltz and Tom Glavine are exceptions. They are outliers and the last time I checked, there is no such thing as a “good” business model if it can’t make adjustments for outliers.
Plate Appearance
June 6th, 2009
7:02 pm
AMEN
I couldn’t agree more Jeff!
And consequently, I’m now having a very difficult time even wanting to follow the Braves anymore — based on Wren’s latest hatchet job with Tom!
My enthusiasm for the Braves is gone. And it seems like much of the enthusiasm of the players is also gone, after Tom’s release. Have you read Chipper’s comments for example?
What a shot in the gut toward the entire team — and the fans.
JS at least showed some class with his apology. But Frank Wren’s a no class guy.
Organizations don’t prosper when people are treated in this way. And I certainly don’t forsee the Braves turning things around this year as a result.
The next step for the Braves? Frank Wren gets a well deserved pink slip at the end of the year — and gets to feel for himself what Tom is now feeling!
What you sow, you will eventually reap! Your time is coming Frank!
Prez of Matt Diaz Fan Club
June 6th, 2009
7:04 pm
TRobb1: It one thing to defend someone…however, you really don’t think a person’s job history should be a factor into how we evaluate our GM? You mentioned that the Baltimore incident is irrelevant to this situation; fair enough. But, what about the team’s record since Wren took over as GM: 98-117? Not pretty. You say, “he’s made some fantastic deals and decisions for the Braves…” But hasn’t he also upset arguably two of the most important players ever to wear a Braves uniform?! That has to count for something, especially since this isn’t the first time he’s done it.
Tired
June 6th, 2009
7:04 pm
Jeff,
Can’t we bundle you and Kincaid of 680 The Fan and send you off to never never land with the other guy who just left the AJC. (What’s his name?) Such negative, know it all, high and mighty pronouncements gall me. I’m tired of them.
BBrown
June 6th, 2009
7:10 pm
JS, you are right on!!
I can’t really believe it but the group of Terry McGuirk & Co. are making that other management group in town (aka Atlanta Spirit) look pretty good. Wow, the turn of events.
Two points:
1) McGuirk is the top dog and was involved but does not seem to be taking any heat. If he wanted Glavine here, he could have made it happen. Basically McGuirk made the final call based on $$ in my mind. He obviously did not think this through very well.
2) Wren says the decision was “unanimous”. Yea, right. Are you telling me that “Mr Loyal” Bobby Cox was on the side of releasing Glavine. No Way.
Shane
June 6th, 2009
7:15 pm
Leave it to the head idiot to stir them up. Maybe Glavine can go back to being the head of the players union so he can cancel the world series again.
Shane
June 6th, 2009
7:17 pm
Glavine is washed up. The Braves knew it. Glavine didnt. They gave him a chance to retire and save face. He did the classless thing and turned them down.
Other teams arent exactly beating his door down now are they? Hmmmmmmm
All American Dude
June 6th, 2009
7:19 pm
Amen, Jeff Schultz!! This organization has become a joke. Tim Hudson better beware!! And talk about getting chances, Jo Jo got way more than his share…..
jimmy a
June 6th, 2009
7:22 pm
for onece i agree with your still say fire WREN
artical
TRobb1
June 6th, 2009
7:22 pm
Pres of Matt Diaz: Fair points. I would also point out that a large part of last year’s 72-90 was the fact that we had Richmond’s starting staff pitching in Atlanta. And a big piece of that was because Smoltz and Glavine got old and hurt while sapping $22m of the payroll. Only guy that gave them a workmanlike performance was Jurrjens, Wren’s guy.
So Frank learned his lesson. Not particularly gracefully, I’ll agree. But as much as I loved Glavine and Smoltz as pitchers and people, it was time.
tiger7_88
June 6th, 2009
7:24 pm
Dear Tommy and Tommy’s best new pal, Jeffy:
I’m sorry for not appreciating your hard work and dedication in defending the abused and misused millionaires of the Major Leagues back in 1994. All I wanted was to enjoy some baseball that season and I realize now that I showed no concern in the least for the most abused minority in the country: the Major League baseball player.
So I’m sorry.
I’m also sorry for no longer caring a whit how you pitched or whether or not you won 300 games after you left the Braves for the Mets. That whole “agreement in principle” you had with John Schuerholz just prior to your leaving him holding the bag and bolting for the Mets? It doesn’t reflect in the least on your personal integrity. And, after all, you only left the Braves because of the highest principle of them all for the Major League baseball player: money.
So, again, I am so very sorry for thinking less of you.
And, finally, I am also sorry for having no consideration for your feelings this week, here at the twilight of your career. I never realized you were so sensitive about how a certain club treated YOU
after you had made it so clear year after year in the past that how you treated that certain club in return was JUST BUSINESS. Nothing personal!
How dare that certain club just CUT you from their roster with no regard for your feelings after giving you only ONE MILLION DOLLARS to get healthy and rehab! Shocking, shocking behavior… and they should be ashamed of themselves.
And I’m ashamed for them.
I’m sorry, Tommy… you are a paragon of virtue. And I only belittle
myself for thinking less of you.
TRobb1
June 6th, 2009
7:30 pm
Shoeless Joe: He brought in a terrific player at a need position who is controlled for four years and cheap and cost three prospects who are maybes. He promoted a potential ace and made the call to release a fading veteran and took the PR hit. Those were great moves.
And I don’t agree with you on Kawakami. Other than that hideous start at the Great American Ballpark, he’s done a very nice job. 3.03 ERA since May 1.
Francoeur….well, you got me there. Hey, if the Sox take him off our hands, can we throw Wren a parade or something?
N8
June 6th, 2009
7:34 pm
Shoeless Joe, perhaps Wren didn’t come out and say that Glavine was an insurance plan. But come on. Read between the lines.
D-Lowe, Vazquez (two guys that NEVER miss starts), JJJ was going to be IN the rotation, Kawakami is going to be in the rotation. Leaving one spot. WHOEVER was in that spot was going to be keeping it warm for Hanson.
The only other way that whoever was in the “5th spot” in the rotation, pitches after Hanson were to arrive, was an injury. Thus, Glavine was a stop gap UNTIL Hanson arrived, and an insurance policy AFTER he arrived.
The emergence of Medlen, along with no major injuries to Lowe, KK, JJJ and Vazquez (along with the possibility of Hudson returning in two months), meant that the insurance policy that Glavine was supposed to be, was no longer neccesary.
Had Glavine been ready to take that assumed first start needed by a Braves 5th starter on April 19th, it WOULD HAVE been Glavine. The fact that he wasn’t ready, and may STILL not be ready to get big league hitters out, shows that Wren made the right call NOT giving Glavine and Smoltz bigger guranteed contracts.
Here’s a link to an article after Smoltz left for Boston. Read between the lines. It’s not too tough. (Not saying that to be pompous or cocky), I just think it’s that simple.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090108&content_id=3737665&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
T Burns
June 6th, 2009
7:38 pm
We all love Smoltz and Galvine, but Wren made the right baseball decision on each of them. Who cares if their feeling got hurt in the process. Neither of them were going to be cost-effective for the 2009 Bravos. See ya in Cooperstown boys.
Sonnyboy
June 6th, 2009
7:48 pm
Wren made a decision and I agree but I understand why you are not. Baseball has become a boring game without the streoids and Tom has not won when his shoulder. I think its all about the money and wouldn’t make a difference if the manger would just want to play him. If Bobby doesn’t want Tom I don’t wont to pay for a tickets to see him. Like DOB said the other guy is a huber and Tom is just old and fastball too.
preston
June 6th, 2009
7:54 pm
Jeff
You are full of crap
the braves are finally moving in the right direction. I love Smoltz and Glavine but they are way way way past being top line starters
So get real dude
dawes
June 6th, 2009
7:55 pm
the braves are still the team to beat so jeff schulz get of braves back
N8
June 6th, 2009
8:06 pm
Shoeless Joe, I had a long post (go figure) that was eaten by the blog (another go figure). I’m so used to it happening, that I usually copy it before I hit post, and repost it if it never shows. I didn’t do that this time.
But it explained my stance. Which required some reading between the lines. First of all Wren was going to (and did) put together his pitching staff WITHOUT counting on Smoltz or Glavine.
He did that. Lowe, Vazquez (two guys that never miss starts), and Kawakami were added. To go with JJJ (imo, the ace of the staff).
Whic left one spot. A spot that Glavine was supposed to take on April 19th (the first time in the young season the Braves would need a 5th starter). But he wasn’t ready.
Whoever took the 5th spot was going to be only be keeping it warm for Hanson. That was evident after the AFL season, more evident after spring training, and even MORE evident upon his AAA stats.
The only way that the person keeping the seat warm was going to get more starts was with injuries. Which hasn’t happened.
Add to that Medlen came on quick and Hudson is coming back soon (though shouldn’t be counted on). Thus Glavine was an “insurance” policy, as would Smoltz have been had he accepted the Braves incentive laden offer.
Wren didn’t have to SAY IT. His actions said it for him.
Just my opinion.
northbeach Scott
June 6th, 2009
8:19 pm
Jeff, do you suppose that Glavine is planning on returning some of the $8M he stole from the Braves in 2008 and the 1st round pick (#18?) forfeited to the scumbag, Mets? I think not.
No tears for the union-lackey, profiteering Mr. Glavine. I respect and appreciate what Glavine has done for baseball and the Braves. Filing a grievence is just sleazy and silly.
Does not look like MLB teams are lining up for Tommy’s services, but should it happen, I will take great delight in the Braves hammering his limp fast ball.
All I'm Saying Is...
June 6th, 2009
8:30 pm
You are 100% correct Sarge (i.e. Schultz) and thanks for speaking out!
All I'm Saying Is...
June 6th, 2009
8:33 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.
Bigmac2058
June 6th, 2009
8:37 pm
As much as I hated to see both Glavine and Smolz go it was their time. I think this was an end to a means. You have a decent rotation that includes Lowe, Vazquez, Jurjiens. I think the real problem comes in July when you will have Hudson coming off of the DL. That is going to shake things up. He will be a FA next year and you HAVE to keep him. If all works well. Next years rotation will include:
Lowe,Hudson,Vazquez, Jurjiens,and Hansen. Doesn’t sound to bad. Put Kenshin in the Bullpen in relief with Medlen and Soriano to Gonzo, and that has the makings of one of the best pitching staffs in all of MLB. Braves need to get rid of TP and get NED FREAKIN YOST to eventually be the successor for Bobby,.Let me know what you think.
Bigmac2058
June 6th, 2009
8:39 pm
Glavine should have retired last year and take Ol McDowels Place. Smolts should have taken one for the team and went in as a closer where he was lights out!
Sam Everyman, Citizen Journalist
June 6th, 2009
8:41 pm
Apparently Chipper was hurt tonight while walking to the plate. Ron Gant is in the booth and I’m not even sure who’s playing.
Paul Lentz
June 6th, 2009
8:55 pm
If the Braves had signed both Smoltz and Glavine to guaranteed roster spots in the off season, do any of you guys seriously believe that the Braves could have signed Derek Lowe? Or traded for Vazquez? What would the Braves rotation look like going into spring training had the Braves signed both Smoltz and Glavine? Jurrgens, Smoltz, Glavine, Kawakami and Jo Jo Reyes. At the end of May, both Smoltz and Glavine had yet to pitch. So what would the rotation look like once the regular season started? Jurgens, Kawakami, Reyes, Hanson, and Medlen. Then when Reyes got hurt, who do the Braves bring up then? Charlie Morton? So during the month of May, the Braves end up throwing out a rotation of Jurrgens, Kawakami, Hanson, Medlen, and Morton. Jurrgens (who is in his second full season) and 4 rookies, all because some of you morons would have rather the Braves give Smoltz $10 mil and Glavine $5 mil…than trade for Vazquez and sign Lowe.
I am so glad that some of you will never run the Braves. Our bullpen would be blown out and beat up if some of you were running things. Also, the McLouth trade never happens because the Braves no team would want Charlie Morton after seeing him rocked again like he was last year (which is what he will end up showing that he is capable of).
Professional baseball is a business. I want to see the Braves win. Having Smoltz and Glavine joining Hudson on the disabled list would have crippled the Braves this year. We would probably be battling the Nationals out for the worst record in baseball.
Again, it is so nice seeing a HEALTHY starting rotation giving the Braves a chance to win games. If the offense was hitting the ball, then we would have a much better record. Frank Wren has so much flexibility to not only make a trade before the trade deadline, but also during free agency this off season (assuming he gets rid of Franceour and does not pick up Hudson’s $13 mil option).
Not only is our offense struggling, but our base running it atrocious.
Nice break for McCann. We’ll take a triple any way we can get it.
Paul Lentz
June 6th, 2009
8:57 pm
Miracle, Franceour lays off a low and away pitch and draws a walk.
Rowland Office
June 6th, 2009
8:57 pm
Brownie, excellent point. Glavine had been less than impressive for his last two years as a Met, so we think he’s better after a year of two surgeries? He was not impressive last year before the injury, don’t forget that, either. Hanson (sp?) may struggle for awhile, but we are a better team with more flexibility financially with him rather than Glav. I loved watching him in his prime, and I wish him the best. Thanks for the memories, and now it’s time to grow up.
Pat Rockett
June 6th, 2009
8:58 pm
My lord, Frenchy walked!!!
Cecil Upshaw
June 6th, 2009
9:01 pm
Paul Lentz…excellent post. A rotation of JJ, KK, Morton, Medlen and Hansen? We wouldn’t need McClouth, we’d be 15-20 games out already.
Jake
June 6th, 2009
9:03 pm
Well don’t forget, Tom Glavine was the leader of the players union during the infamous strike in the early 90’s. It was business then and it’s business now. It’s called karma…
Kerry
June 6th, 2009
9:12 pm
How many more years of a declining offense before TP is gone. How many more young hitters does he get to ruin?
Liberty Braves
June 6th, 2009
9:32 pm
Ever since Liberty Media took over, this franchise has gone down the proverbial crapper. The Braves have reached new depths of mediocrity. Its like the freaking 80’s for Christ’s sake!
We have a nazi as a GM who takes no prisoners when it comes to taking a dump on HOF players. This ball club is in total disarray and I hope that the attendance continues to fall off until new ownership is brought in.
This is sad. Our Braves team has been turned into a cheap franchise. They even play the same old music at Turner Field night after night. It’s awful!
Paul Lentz
June 6th, 2009
9:36 pm
Cecil Upshaw…….thanks for the props. Many of these “sentimental” so-called Braves fans (in reality, they are jock sniffers of Smoltz, Glavine, Franceour, etc.) are so blinded by their unyielding loyalty to these players that they cant think straight about the impact they will have on the team. Signing Smoltz and guaranteeing Glavine’s contract would have killed the Braves this year. Smotz got $5.5 mil GUARANTEED from the Red Sox with another $5 mil in playing incentives. He basically wanted the Braves to GUARANTEE $10 mil to re-sign with them.
The Braves cannot afford to give tens of millions of dollars away to unproductive players in 2009, just because many of you moron fans keep holding onto the memories of us winning the World Series in 1995.
Watching this game right now, just illustrates the Braves need for offensive power. Some of you morons would rather see the Braves just give money away to the Braves, instead of having Frank Wren work the phones on trying to improve the Braves’ OFFENSE. If some of you home town cry babies would quit holding onto FALSE hope that Jeff Franceour will be the “savior” and turn into a 30 homer, 100 RBI guy…..then maybe Bobby Cox will finally bench him and at least put Matt Diaz in there.
Paul Lentz
June 6th, 2009
9:51 pm
Liberty Braves….while the Braves have struggled the past 3 years…..the Braves have resemble NOTHING like the Braves in the mid-late 80’s. When the ace of your staff goes 12-16 (Rick Mahler) and you average 100 losses for 5 years, then that is when you know your team is in trouble.
Part of what has hurt the Braves in the past 3 years is expensive contracts to players who were hurt. I dont think that Liberty has been cheap. Last year, the Braves paid Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Mike Hampton, and Tim Hudson a combined $52 mil for a combined 52 starts. That isnt counting the significant playing time that both Soraino and Gonzalez missed in the bullpen last year. When you basically have $52 mil in dead money, that CRIPPLES managements ability to make the team better.
Going into this year, the Braves had only Hudson’s $13 mil in dead money. While not as bad as last year, it is still a significant amount of money. Let me give you guys a good example. If the San Francisco did not have to pay Barry Zito $18 mil over the next 4 seasons after this season, they would have signed Manny Ramirez. That contract will seriously hamper the Giants ability to improve that offense. They have great pitching, but an offense as bad as the Braves. After this season, I have a feeling that you guys will be surprised as to the moves that Frank Wren will make.
Clearing up dead payroll dollars for players who can produce is essential for the Braves to compete. Frank Wren has done a great job of that. Signing Derek Lowe and trading for Javier Vazquez were BRILLIANT moves. Yet a number of you cant see that. All you can see is “wa wa wa , we dont have Smoltz and Glavine anymore”.
I can only imagine what would happen if Braves management had the nerve to trade Franceour or send his ass down to the minors. The blogs will be filled with hateful postings by disillusioned Franceour supporters (jock sniffers).
Jack G.
June 6th, 2009
9:53 pm
You can kick Wrenn around all you want, and I admit he deserves some kicking, but These decisions concerning player are done with consultation with the Manager(BC). No GM buys sells or signs players without the approval of the Manager. Likewise it is the manager who decides who plays who rides the bench and who gets sent down or called up. Its the manager who runs the team , retains player and who hires the coaches.Like a lousy hitting coach(TP).
As I said before, this team is going nowhere as long as BC and TP are on the field.
Wrenn and JS are resposeable for that, which ultimately puts the monkey on their back
RH
June 6th, 2009
10:05 pm
All these great looking young pitchers are looking good down the road but IMO if we do not get these bats going its not gonna make much difference. Not counting Chipper (he’s gonna hit no matter) can anyone name me a success story Pendleton has had as a hitting coach with the Braves. I can not think of one and I have followed them since way before TP played with them. Someone give me some names, the batting is pathetic!!!!
Don
June 6th, 2009
10:11 pm
Finally. Someone at the AJC with some actual intelligence. Jeff Schultz is absolutely right on target.
tashunka
June 6th, 2009
10:12 pm
Bottom line: no top notch free agent wants to sign with the Braves. The organization has a stink about it and the odor is only getting stronger.
RyRy
June 6th, 2009
10:15 pm
You are a typical media moron, trying to find a story….I have been a Braves fan since the day I was born. When I saw the headline that Glavine had been released, this was my 1st thought…”It makes sense”.
It was best for the team and the organization…Tom Glavine had nothing to go to us…he was an off-season hopeful at best. This guy left us a few years ago…does no one remember this?!?!?!? I love you Tommy, but this is business…good luck.
tashunka
June 6th, 2009
10:16 pm
Braves lose! Braves lose! Looks like I can celebrate a lot this year.
brAves Sucios
June 6th, 2009
10:19 pm
Jeff, thanks for a good article, I couldn’t agree w/you more. It’s not just the decisions being made, but even more so the way in which they are being made that is becoming a problem.
TPM
June 6th, 2009
10:22 pm
The poor attendence at Turner Field is a figment of your imagination. John Kincaid claimed on 680 The Fan on Friday that Major League Baseball attendence has never been higher. In fact, according to John, it is setting records.
Doug Markham
June 6th, 2009
10:23 pm
This is a bad baseball team that everyday seems to reflect the “economy” of our time. Seems like they should be good, but they are not.
TPM
June 6th, 2009
10:28 pm
TM – The Braves did not have the luxury of paying Smoltz not to be on the active roster until late June. The Braves paid Smoltz very well over the years while he was on the DL. Are they wrong for not wanting to pay him while he sits out the first half?
hollywould
June 6th, 2009
10:31 pm
It is a business. Sorry Tom. I saw him pitch in Gwinnett a couple weeks ago and he gave up 2 runs. Man, if the defense had not been spectacular it would have been 7. Good move for the braves. TP should go next. Yeah, it is up to the players but everybody sux. Try someting new.
David Woleslagle
June 6th, 2009
10:32 pm
Last year, Smoltz was paid $14M & Glavine was paid $8M to not pitch for the Braves. This year, the Brave paid Glavine $1M to rehab, then opted not to put him on the roster. After 30 years of experience with a generous employer, it would take me seven years to earn the embarrassment and indignity that Glavine suffered this year. Hmmmm.
JRJ
June 6th, 2009
10:35 pm
Thank you Mr. Schultz for someone finally stepping up and saying what needed to be said about the Braves organization. No, I haven’t been a Braves fan since the day I was born … just since they moved to Atlanta. Most of that time the Braves unfortunately *were* buffons! But, then came the years of Glavine, Smoltz, and Maddox. Justice, Pentleton and Bream. Lopez, Klesko and the Jones boys. The Braves went from worst to first in more ways than one. But, I can’t recall when I’ve seen worse “mis”management out of what *was* a first-class organization until this last season.
People complain that baseball is a business and the Braves can do anything they want. Well, baseball *IS* a business! You can only do anything you want as long as you don’t care what other think of you. But, if you expect to win over free agents and get players to want to play for your organization, you’d better care what others think! I can only imagine what is going through Chipper Jones’s mind right now after seeing what had been *two* of the greatest Braves of all time get shown the door by the Braves management. Not only get shown the door, but to also have it slammed on them on their way out! Chipper may want to play out his career for the Braves. But, at this point there’s absolutely no guarantee at all. He’s got to wonder if, after the career he’s had for the Braves, he’ll be treated with the same lack of respect Glavine and Smoltz were shown.
Yes, baseball is a busisness. But, like any *good* business, baseball teams should treat their players with the same respect that any business offers to its employees. Tom Glavine probably feels like he’s put in 39 years with the company and the year before his retirement year, he gets fired. No gold watch. No retirement party. No respect at all!
It’s going to be very hard for me to look at the Braves as the classy organization they once appeared to be. I think we’ve already seen instances of players shunning the Braves’ offers to play in Atlanta based on how they perceive of the organization. Where once players were willing to take less money and play for the Braves, today they will take the money and run away from Atlanta. What a shame. Sounds like it’s time for a clean sweep of the front office again. That may be the only way to turn the organization back around to being a first class organization.
trey
June 6th, 2009
10:36 pm
I am sorry, but I honestly do not think Wren knows what he is doing. He says he released Glavine because of performance, which you know is bull, because he is keeping Jo-Jo Reyes, who ALWAYS loses. He has a pitcher who was a waste of money from Japan, who should just go to the pen, and he won’t give Glavine one shot in the Majors.
TPM
June 6th, 2009
10:36 pm
Bobby Cox is loyal to his players. I do not think he was onboard to cut Glavine. He actually described Glavine’s 14 outs a start and 5.40 era performance last year as ” lights out”.