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
Chopdawg
June 7th, 2009
11:53 am
Enter your comments here When Glavine went to the Mets and Smoltz went to the Sox, were they not motivated by money. Wren has an obligation to the fans and a responsibility to the Organization to do whatever it takes to win, now and in the future. Baseball is a business and nobodyknows this better than John and Tommy.
Jay
June 7th, 2009
11:58 am
I laughed at the homer that said we’re an outfield bat away from the best team in baseball. Maybe if that bat is Barry Bonds in his juicing prime.
Gabron Salome
June 7th, 2009
12:45 pm
It’s a part of the game now, You should’ve complained last year when he got his pass, he was literally non-existent but still got paid. It’s sad to see an idol lose his skill, we get old, to quote Sinatra,”That’s Life”. Till we start winning I dont care who’s leading this team, theyre all accountable from the top to the bottom. Look to sum up my rant, look at the brite side. We have a stable of young arms with, sky’s the limit potential. Hudson, Lowe, Vasquez, and JJ all signed up for atleast two more years, its a marathon not a sprint, I’m all in!Go Braves!!
JP
June 7th, 2009
12:53 pm
Jeff Schultz is the new Terrence Moore.
JP
June 7th, 2009
12:57 pm
Frank Wren has made a mockery of the job of “GM”. Instead of promoting and using the old legends such as Glavine and Smoltz as ambassadors for Atlanta he has alienated them, the fans and players. Surely John S. can see this!
Navigator
June 7th, 2009
1:01 pm
For over a decade as the Braves blew world series over and over that the worst thing that happened was the Braves actually winning one. See we’ve been told by players and press that Bobby Cox is the reason the Braves were class of the National League. Now, after several years the Braves aren’t winning any more, but none of these experts seem to be pointing their finger at Cox. Now I read that the Braves might pursue Mark DeRosa, a man Cox got rid of to keep Giles, whose not even in baseball any more. I can go down many more that Cox didn’t want that starred elsewhere, but I would like to concentrate on who he’s kept. They are players that have nothing but praise for Cox’s managing ability, they love this guy. That’s the problem right there, the Braves never keep players that don’t like Cox, and that’s the reason the team is where it is now. I hope they keep him even longer, until no one says: “I wish Bobby Cox was still manager”.
Old Blue
June 7th, 2009
1:25 pm
The Braves mishandled Glavine’s situation when he was brought back. He was booed mercilessly on his return to Turner Field by Atlanta fans when the Braves shelled him and his Mets consorts on his first visit back to town. He would have been booed in the same manner by fans when he lollipopped balls to get shelled in his following outings if he had returned and Wren would have been blasted for bringing him back for a gradiose mistake. Sure, things could have been handled better, but Smoltz and Glavine would have still allow their giant egos to besmirch the matter instead of tasting the sweetness of the last glimmering limelight with gentlemanly composure and gratitude for their past successes.
davidputty
June 7th, 2009
1:37 pm
When players, like Glavine, leave for more money it’s OK because that’s “just business.” But when a player is released for business reasons, it’s time to cry foul. The Braves gave Glavine a chance to try to make the team and then decided that it wasn’t worth a $1 million dollar gamlbe that he could contribute. That’s just business. He and Smoltz need to shutup and count the millions they made through the years from the Braves–much of which they received when they were unable to perform.
gtfan
June 7th, 2009
1:37 pm
hey jeffie boy answer me this….
why does tom glavine deserve more than any other schmoe that has been canned?
cause he is such a nice guy?
i have seen long time, loyal, bewildered employees led off the site by security. nary a servenance package did they get. nary a last hurrah did they get. And they certainly didnt get their gold watch.
more often than not their replacement if there was one was 40 years younger and worked for 25% of the pay.
some of these same employees probably lost their house if it happened in today’s climate.
and yet tom glavine of 289 million life time salary is whining an crying? AND YOU AGREE? (btw that is the point that the other poster was trying to make… duh)
lets put this in prospective here.
id be more than happy to be in poor ol tommy’s shoes for only a tenth of the life time salary he earned. AND i promise i would go quietly!
this guy is set for life yet he is struggling like he was a fat hog being led to the slaughter.
wheeee! wheeee! wheee! wheee! wheeeee!
something isnt right about this picture an it aint the braves!
GT
June 7th, 2009
1:42 pm
Glavine, has turned this into a sideshow with no respect for anybody but himself. His commotion the last week has been a huge distraction that he is not worthy of. He is a 43 year old has been showing his ass and the press loves to accommodate him. I think the public is entirely turned off and repulsed by this sad display. I will give the press credit they are sticking to their guns and backing him which is not a very popular thing to do. They are usually more front runners but on this there must be something I am missing because they are totally on his side.
gtfan
June 7th, 2009
1:50 pm
actually i think that tommie the fat hog was crying….
meeeeeee! meeeeee! meeeeee! meeeeeee!
yes tommie its all bout YOU! and your GOLFING BUDDY smoltz. two idiots in a pod!
btw i was wrong in my first post above. i would NOT be happy at having been canned after at earning 28 million (one tenth of tommies lifetime salary). i would be happy if i had the chance to earn a paltry 5 million lifetime. sheeeeeesh!
tommie sounds like a rich guy that just had his nuts handed to him by his ex wife’s lawyer.
tommie needs to get into his lambrogini and drive off into the sunset quietly! after he thanks the braves and the fans for many many fond memories of course.
10 years from now and he is going to look like one silly selfish dude! waite a minute… he looks like that now!
weston
June 7th, 2009
2:03 pm
>>>his rehab starts in the minors, where, by the way, he had thrown 11 straight shutout innings.I’m sorry. Was 12 the cutoff?<<<<
Don’t be stupid. You think his lack of velocity throws against lack of hitting minor leaguers proves he’s ready? Come on…even YOU can’t possibly be this dense. If he was the old Glavine the Braves would’ve brought him back in a heartbeat. You make it sound like some devious little plan to publicly humiliate the guy. Get a grip on yourself and face reality (tell Glavine the same thing from me).
Glavine never should have been brought back from the Mets, who he, btw, defected from the Braves because of his greedy little fingers wanting that extra million. I guess that’s forgotten.
So now he gets “fired” because his velocity isn’t there. I guess it’d be better to have him on the mound with the (major league) braves team where he pitches the team into a hole, the score is 7-0 by the 2d inning, and Bobby has to bench him, all because he USED to be a great pitcher? yeah, makes.perfect.sense.to.me. Wonder why I didn’t think of this earlier.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 7th, 2009
2:50 pm
Check the NFL transaction lists at the end of training camp. All manner of players will be activated from injured reserve and immediately released. Since they had resigned him, the Braves had to keep Glavine around until he was certified healthy so they wouldn’t be liable for future medical treatments. It’s a rough world in professional sports.
Long, long time Milw.-Atl. Braves fan
June 7th, 2009
2:58 pm
If Terrible Tommy Glavine had ANYTHING left in his arm he would have signed on with another major league team by now. Almost every team needs left-handed pitching. With all the stink he has raised I assume the other teams know of his high esteem for upper management and is available to them for $5.00 a game. After all it’s not about the money is it Tommy? It’s all about a washed up former great pitcher that doesn’t have a clue into when he should walk away.
Look at Willie Mays, probably the best center fielder in history, falling down and tripping over his own feet in the Mets outfield. How about Warren Spahn? His last wins came at the expense of his teammates, (more Giants and Mets) while losing more than he won for quite a while. If I’m not mistaken Babe Ruth overstayed his career too. All who traveled before you had to deal with the exit to their playing careers. Most probably did reluctantly, some with the urging of their clubs, more because they knew they just couldn’t cut it anymore.
Tommy, you were once great. Twice you were a traitor, and this time your were released without your permission. Now, SHUT UP.
The Real Fan
June 7th, 2009
3:21 pm
Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Tommy Hanson 6.0 6 7 7 1 5 3 10.50
’nuff said
hrobbie1
June 7th, 2009
3:35 pm
Well, Hanson certainly made Wren look like a genius today! 7 runs, 3 HRs, WOW!
indybravesfan
June 7th, 2009
4:45 pm
SCHULTZ…..YOU ARE A PUTZ…GROW UP! A SUGGESTION FOR YOU…I WOULD NOT CONSIDER OPENING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AS YOU APPEAR TO BE VERY WEAK AND UNABLE TO MAKE TOUGH BUT CORRECT DECISIONS.
whatever
June 7th, 2009
4:46 pm
Sorry Mr. Schultz. I don’t agree with your article. There are always two parties…the players and the organization. The organization has definitely made mistakes, but they are trying as hard as they can to have a winning franchise with the resources that are available. The bottom line is winning. Unfortunately, it can’t always be about sparing players’ feelings or rewarding past performances.
As far as the players are concerned, we have a couple who have gone into pout mode because the Braves didn’t do exactly what they wanted. The Braves took some beatings with them while they grew as players. The next generation is here, Mr. Schultz. If you don’t agree with my opinion, Mr. Schultz, I can take it. I promise that I won’t go to the union to file a grievance.
whatever
June 7th, 2009
4:48 pm
Oh…and “realfan” and others…check out some of the stats on Glavine and Smoltz when they began their careers. Give me a break.
Brad
June 7th, 2009
5:32 pm
I’m with a couple other posters on this blog and I also agree with the article; It’s not that Glavine was released (which many of you posters on here think it’s about); it’s how the situation was handled. You don’t release someone after they work their tail off for two months in rehab to come back and pitch for their team. That’s wrong. If they noticed something wrong with Glavine they should’ve brought it up after his first or second rehab start; that way he wouldn’t have to keep pitching to get himself ready. Glavine’s rehab was a waste of time. Wren was dumb here. If he was going to release Glavine anyway, why sign him in the first place?
Glavine deserved a shot, especially after all the rehab. If he gets knocked around then management could figure out what to do but one or two starts up here by TG wasn’t going to spell doom for the Braves.
Oh and Tommy Hanson got shelled today. I hope management didn’t pull another Schafer. Many fans were salivating over Jordan being up here, now he’s back in the minors because he was most likely brought up too early. I know it’s just one start, but it wasn’t a good one. I’m not saying Glavine would’ve done better but he deserved a shot because unlike Hanson Glavine HAS done it before.
For fans bitter over him going to the Mets and what he said during the strike shortened season in 94; you really need to get over that; stop living in the past.
Dale
June 7th, 2009
6:02 pm
Jeff, you’re totally right. All this started as soon as Wren took over. He is a bumbling idiot. If anyone needs further proof, just visit this link and read about the way he handled business in Baltimore. Especially Cal Ripkin. Seem familiar at all???
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/orioles/daily/oct99/08/os8.htm
“In one incident, described in detail in the release, Wren on Sept. 17 ordered a team plane to take off without superstar third baseman Cal Ripken, even though Ripken phoned ahead to say he was delayed in traffic.
“As a result of failing to resolve these issues, it was determined that Mr. Wren’s employment could not longer be continued,” Foss is quoted as saying in the release.
Angelos said in the release, “Regrettably, I must concur with the recommendation to terminate Mr. Wren’s services and feel that the Orioles were left with no alternative.
Wren, who signed a three-year, $1.35 million contract on Oct. 23, 1998, declined to comment on his firing or on the Orioles’ statement tonight, other than to say he was “not surprised” by it. Wren and Angelos differed over several issues in their one year together, most notably the status of Miller, whom Wren sought to dismiss one month into the season.
In the incident involving Ripken, the Orioles’ chartered jet was waiting to take off for California at 8 a.m. on Sept. 17, when Ripken called saying he was stuck in traffic and would be arriving in the next five to 10 minutes.
“At Wren’s order, the plan[e] took off without Cal, who arrived at the gate a few minutes later. Cal was then forced to make his own cross-country travel arrangements,” Foss said in the release.
” . . . In the opinion of management, there was no need for such an arbitrary and inflexible decision. In the meeting [on Tuesday], Wren defiantly dismissed our concerns [and] characterized them as ’silly.’ . . .
“The Orioles management cannot and will not abide having a general manager operate in such an unreasonable, authoritarian manner and treat anyone in this way, especially someone such as Cal who has done so much for the Orioles and for baseball.”
Gary
June 7th, 2009
6:05 pm
First and foremost, I am a Braves fan. I have been thrilled by Hank, Warren & Eddie with Phil, Joe & Rico. Along the way I loved Ralph, Dusty & Darrell, not to mention Dale, David & Tommy. Then came Steve, John, Greg & Fred. Andruw, Chipper, Brian & Derek. Not to mention the hundreds of others that have thrilled me over the last 51 years. In 1958 my father took me to my first major league game in Milwaukee against the Brooklyn Dodgers. I have been hooked on the Braves ever since. All the players come and go. That’s life.
I was furious with you when you left my Braves to go to the enemy for more money. I booed you upon your return to Turner Field as a Met. On the other hand I cheered for you like never before when you returned to the Braves. I really hoped you would make the team this year. I was looking forward to seeing you pitch again. But in the eyes of many scouts, you were not seen as a major league pitcher any longer. Just some one that wanted to hang on.
We don’t always agree with what’s going on with our team but once a Braves fan always a Braves fan. Whether management handles something right or wrong in our eyes, they have made their decision. It might be money, (it usually is.) it might be performance, opportunities, personalities options or something else
It’s time for you to retire now and quit kicking and screaming. If you still had something to offer you would have signed on with someone by now. No Major leaguer wants to call it quits. It must be a very hard decision. Most of the time the decision is made by management sometimes by injury and rarely by the player who just simply walks away. It must be very painful but the time has come.
You can continue to bash the Braves if you wish but it won’t accomplish anything worthwhile. Your career here in Atlanta as a player is over and I am still a BRAVES FAN.
Dawg A
June 7th, 2009
6:22 pm
In every aspect of life it is how you respond during both the good and the bad times that define you. It was easy for us to praise the Braves Management while they were winning. They seemed to make the right decisions while they were winning and the pressure was much less. Now that they are losing……. it seems like every decision is questioned and with good reason. So I guess the guys we have in charge( and they have not changed just moved around a bit ) seem to not handle losing and their decisions are for the most part VERY POOR!!!!!
Maybe the real truth here is that we might need to get some new blood in and hopefully they won’t be treated like they have treated others.
dcbrave
June 7th, 2009
7:07 pm
To Real Fan,
Man, it was a tough start, but “nuff said?” Slow down, hard charger.
Man, Im not Frank Wren apologist. To the contrary, the guy is way, way, way out of his depth. But to suggest Hanson isnt a stud in the making because of his debut was sketchy is absurd.
Just a quick FYI . . . Greg Maddux was 8 – 18 with an ERA over 5.50 in his first two seasons in the majors and gave up a walk-off home run in his first major league appearance. By the way, he is the only player ever to win 15 games in 17 straight seasons.
Tommy Glavine lost 17 games his first full year. 17.He lead the league in losses in 1988. And whatever you think of the recent mess, the guy was a stud pitcher. 2 Cy Youngs. 305 wins. Twenty wins in five separate seasons. A man who never gave in to anyone on the mound.
Thank goodness we didnt have the internet in 1990 or guys like you might have chased off ole Tommy Glavine before he had a chance to throw those amazing eight innings of one hit ball in the 95 World Series. Not saying Tommy Hanson will win 305 games or even bring the Braves a World Series, but the kid is an absolute hoss. At least give him to start three before you throw him under the bus.
Pretend Hero
June 7th, 2009
8:18 pm
Great Article. Regardless of if Glavine or Smoltz belong on this team, their contracts and PR spin should have been handled much better. Smoltz clearly made the right move going to Boston, because if he had signed the incentive laden contract with the Braves, he would probably have been cut along with Glavine.
Wren could have had a two for one screwing of future Braves hall of famers.
Those of you who think Wren is doing the right things, you will see that treating people this way comes back to hurt you. Its already happened. Penny, Peavy, Furcal, Griffey. Players dont want to play for this team. Its a bad way to run a team when you are so rude that you have to overpay to get players to sign with you.
heartofdarkness
June 8th, 2009
11:57 am
Graceful exits are to a large extent dependent on the assent of the accomplished veteran player. Great baseball players are very competitive long after they are effective. The Braves’ prospects of a feel good ending of their relationship with the Big Three were never more than a longshot.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
June 8th, 2009
12:15 pm
I have never read so much crap in my life with all you people saying, “it could have been handled better.”
Just how do you fire someone and expect them to enjoy it? Have you ever fired anyone? It is tough business, I don’t remember a single one I fired ever agreeing with my decision.
Glavine collected $9 million these last two years for pitching a middling number of innings and (I think) two wins. The man is delusional if he thinks he is worth anything to the organization. His memory is conveniently bad as he has forgotten he walked away from the team in his prime and now expects then to just keep on sending him million dollar checks simply for breathing.
Frank Wren is a good GM. He has made some brilliant moves and he didn’t screw himself in the Furcal, AJ or with that Peavy guy in San Diego. Wren was the screw-ee in all those cases. How can you idiots sit here and nail Wren for the duplicitous actions of Furcal and his agents? You are all crazy. And blaming Wren for AJ’s wife not wanting to move to Atlanta has nothing to do with Wren’s effectiveness. As for that pitcher in San Diego he not only turned down Atlanta, his GM wanted the Braves farm system in exchange for him. For Wren to have agreed with that would have been really stupid. And not one of you would have ever forgiven him for it.
As for you Jeff, I think your column is simply off target but since when is that not true? Your constant effort to nail someone seems to get in the way of any objectivity. So much for your expertise.
Dale
June 8th, 2009
4:56 pm
Jeff, you’re totally right. All this started as soon as Wren took over. He is a bumbling idiot. If anyone needs further proof, just visit this link and read about the way he handled business in Baltimore. Especially Cal Ripkin. Seem familiar at all???
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/orioles/daily/oct99/08/os8.htm
“In one incident, described in detail in the release, Wren on Sept. 17 ordered a team plane to take off without superstar third baseman Cal Ripken, even though Ripken phoned ahead to say he was delayed in traffic.
“As a result of failing to resolve these issues, it was determined that Mr. Wren’s employment could not longer be continued,” Foss is quoted as saying in the release.
Angelos said in the release, “Regrettably, I must concur with the recommendation to terminate Mr. Wren’s services and feel that the Orioles were left with no alternative.
Wren, who signed a three-year, $1.35 million contract on Oct. 23, 1998, declined to comment on his firing or on the Orioles’ statement tonight, other than to say he was “not surprised” by it. Wren and Angelos differed over several issues in their one year together, most notably the status of Miller, whom Wren sought to dismiss one month into the season.
In the incident involving Ripken, the Orioles’ chartered jet was waiting to take off for California at 8 a.m. on Sept. 17, when Ripken called saying he was stuck in traffic and would be arriving in the next five to 10 minutes.
“At Wren’s order, the plan[e] took off without Cal, who arrived at the gate a few minutes later. Cal was then forced to make his own cross-country travel arrangements,” Foss said in the release.
” . . . In the opinion of management, there was no need for such an arbitrary and inflexible decision. In the meeting [on Tuesday], Wren defiantly dismissed our concerns [and] characterized them as ’silly.’ . . .
“The Orioles management cannot and will not abide having a general manager operate in such an unreasonable, authoritarian manner and treat anyone in this way, especially someone such as Cal who has done so much for the Orioles and for baseball.”
Eleanor
July 2nd, 2009
6:09 am
Badly need your help. At my lemonade stand I used to give the first glass away free and charge five dollars for the second glass. The refill contained the antidote.
I am from Nicaragua and also now teach English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “Cat flea allergy – a steps treatment approach.”
With respect 8-), Eleanor.
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