McCain: Glavine got jobbed! (but, please, no grievance)
I'm pretty sure this guy had the deciding vote to release Tom Glavine.
Interesting few days last week. Tom Glavine got released and Braves’ management went to great lengths to convince everybody that they weren’t just cold, corporate, nickel-squeezing weasels who basically told a Hall of Famer to go pitch a game in Single A even though they had no intention of signing him (and he fell for it!).
I took a scientific sampling of readers’ comments and reached this conclusion: Half of you believe the Braves are cold, corporate, nickel-squeezing weasels — and one day, we will share several beers.
The other half of you have held a grudge against Glavine ever since he dared to accept a four-year, $42.5 million contract from the New York Mets, which was one year more and over $15 million higher than the Braves were willing to offer. (Why that capitalistic pig. How dare he!) So really, your mind already was made up.
Now the Braves are trying to cleanse themselves of another public relations face plant, which even drew the ire of Twitterer and former presidential candidate John McCain (see below). Glavine is still trying to decide whether he’s angry enough about this potential career ending to try a comeback with another team, which never was his intention.
Honestly, I have no idea which way Glavine’s leaning. But I did exchange text messages with him about something else: This concept of filing a grievance.
Bad idea, Tom.
The Tuesday Countdown continues . . .
10. “Why, you money-grubbing…”
In one of his last days as a Brave (Gwinnett), Glavine signed autographs for a team called the Red Sox. I think that's Smoltz on the left.
That is what Glavine will hear if he and the Players Association file a grievance against the Braves for releasing him, rather than paying him $1 million to make the active roster. The report on Foxsports.com said Gregg Clifton, Glavine’s agent, is exploring the possibility.
I’m no labor lawyer. But here’s the thing: Even if Glavine did have a chance to win — and I don’t think he does — he would look bad trying to claim a million bucks that he obviously doesn’t need. It doesn’t matter if he’s only trying to make a point. Perception is reality. The only way Glavine could lessen the PR hit by such a move would be to say that he would donate the $1 million to charity. But it still wouldn’t look good.
OK, that said …
9. Glavine: “I don’t know.”
I sent Glavine a text message asking him whether he would file the grievance. His answer: “Don’t know.”
I told him to let me know if he wanted to expound on that. His second response: “I really don’t know about it. I keep hearing about it and I know it’s an option but haven’t discussed it with anyone.”
By “anyone,” I’m assuming he means anyone other than his agent. So there you go. The grievance has gone nowhere. I’m guessing it goes nowhere. And nowhere is good.
8. Politicians limited to 140 characters?
Running for re-election as Arizona senator apparently doesn’t take up as much time as running for president, if John McCain’s Twittering is any indication. The man is a 140-character-typing machine, even on subjects like, yeah, Glavine. Monday morning, McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) Twittered: “Braves release Tom Glavine – not a great way to treat a class athlete.”
Famous Alaska biker chick and Twitterer Sarah Palin.
Wow. Somebody’s not going to be given free all-you-can-eat seats by Terry McGuirk next time he’s in town.
Funny thing. McCain’s next “Tweet,” an hour later, was: “Dr. Kissinger’s op-ed in the Washington Post on Pyongyang is a must read!” So clearly he has no future as a sportstalk radio host. He needs to work on his transitions.
7. Can she see Glavine from her backyard, too?
So I’m thinking, if McCain is pontificating on Glavine, maybe Sarah Palin is, too. But alas, this was the closest thing I could find on the Alaska governor’s Twitter site (@AKGovSarahPalin): “Here’s an interview w/Gary Olson, AK Moose Federation pres., on the Eddie Burke show re: orphaned moose calves.” I refuse to include the link. (Shameless self-promotion: Follow @SchultzAJC on Twitter! I promise to provide frequent updates on orphaned moose calves.)
6: Trivia Time.
Can you make out the pitcher standing behind Chuck Tanner? (AJC photo.)
I don’t do this very often, because, frankly, I find sports trivia kind of hokey and geeky and, well, I’d just rather not think that much. But here goes. You may have heard or read that when the Braves released Glavine, it marked the first time since 1987 that neither he nor John Smoltz were on the Braves’ roster. So here’s the question: How many starting pitchers from the last non-Glavine/Smoltz rotation in 1987 can you name? (One hint on the left. Answers down below.)
5. Oh no — PETA’s back
But without pickets. PETA announced Turner Field placed fourth in its annual rankings of the top 10 vegetarian-friendly ballparks. PETA spokesman Dan Shannon said, ”The fact is, anyone who improves his or her health, helps protect the planet, and saves animals’ lives by going vegetarian is a winner.” The Braves would’ve finished first in PETA’s rankings. But they lost points in caring for dogs when they dropped Bob Wickman from the roster.
4. So Vikes are waiting for Favre why?
The Minnesota Vikings are giving Brett Favre a deadline this week, according to ESPN: make a decision on whether he wants to play or they move on. Favre reportedly is reluctant to make a commitment without being certain that his recent double-secret shoulder surgery fixed problems related to his recently torn biceps. But a report on Sirius radio refutes that deadline. Here’s a thought: Any GM considering signing Favre is the one who needs surgery — on his head. Favre’s a Hall of Fame quarterback. Or was. But he’s evolved into arguably the most selfish athlete in league history. His annual Hamlet act caused problems in the locker room in Green Bay and New York. I can imagine how this is going over with the players going through OTAs right now in Minnesota (particularly incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson). More importantly, Favre’s arm is dead (two touchdowns, nine interceptions in his final five starts last season) and he’s won exactly one playoff game in the last five years, which means the only starting quarterback who looks up to him is Tony Romo (no playoff wins).
3. UFL (what?) would love name-recognition (Vick)
The fledgling United Football League’s commissioner, Michael Huyghue, reaffirmed that he would love Michael Vick to use the UFL as a stepping stone for his return to the NFL. Huyghue says he gauged fan reaction and that “over 80 percent” would be in favor of Vick playing in the league. The only reason I have trouble believing that is there’s a built-in assumption that anybody knows what the UFL is. On a related note, Vick is due in court today in Norfolk, Va., for a bankruptcy hearing. I believe the UFL’s bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday.
2. New Bengals’ sponsor: Chico’s Bail Bonds?
The Bad News . . . Bengals?
There’s apparently a new NFL rule that allows teams to place a sponsor on practice jerseys. According to the Indianapolis Star, only one sponsor is allowed per team, and the patch can be no larger than 3 1/2 inches high and 4 1/2 inches wide. Yeah. For now. Colts senior vice president Pete Ward said, “Things evolve and you’re always looking for ways to maximize revenue without compromising the integrity of the game.” Rules apparently prohibit teams from endorsement deals with companies dealing with firearms, ammunition, gambling, distilled spirits and strip clubs. Just guessing here, but the Bengals, Ravens and Cowboys will need to find other sources of income.
1. And the All-Star rotation is …
The ace in 1987: Zane Smith.
The Braves’ dreadful starting rotation for most of 1987: Zane Smith (who led the staff at 15-10, 4.10) Rick Mahler (who’s pictured above), David Palmer, Doyle Alexander and Randy O’Neal (or Charlie Puleo).
Mahler actually threw an Opening Day shutout against Philadelphia. But the Braves went 69-92 that year, and the pitching staff had the fewest shutouts in the National League (four), highest ERA (4.63), fewest strikeouts (837), most hit batters (39) and third most walks (587). It also was the league’s third-oldest staff (29.2 years).
Glavine was called up from the minors in August of that season. In nine starts, he went 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA. Fortunately, he didn’t get cut.
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155 comments Add your comment
Steve
June 9th, 2009
8:02 am
Just admit it. You have a man crush on Tommy.
bali
June 9th, 2009
8:10 am
good article. I disagree with the half and half take 0n the glavine situation, but i would still like to have a sit down and drink a few beers with ya provided you buy the first round
brewdawg
June 9th, 2009
8:17 am
Only got Zane Smith and Doyle Alexander, but in my defense, I was only seven years old at the time.
Max Sizemore
June 9th, 2009
8:17 am
Uh, Jeff, the Braves struck out 837 batters in 1987. Yes, Mabel, there used to be such a thing as a copy editor.
Sam Everyman, Citizen Journalist
June 9th, 2009
8:20 am
Surely this is a Best of Cox effort. Chuck Tanner, Rick Mahler, Dr. Kissinger, orphaned moose cows, Zane Smith, John & Sarah, and Michael Vick. This is some heady stuff. Can’t wait to see if it fits in the new and improved AJC narrow-columns, narrow-page print edition. $1,000 prize to the winner, Jeff.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
8:29 am
Steve — actually, the Sarah Palin photo got me going just a little.
Bali — Deal! After 3-4 beers, I’ll forget what my position was anyway.
Brewdawg – at 2, you’re the leader in the clubhouse!
Max — or yeah, dropped a character. 83 would be REALLY bad. Thanks, I’ll fix that.
Sam Everyman — I won Best of Cox last year. They didn’t have awards this year. Guess they figured they had already hit bottom. But the $1,000 was spent.
Sam Everyman, Citizen Journalist
June 9th, 2009
8:46 am
Whoa! It could have been two years in a row. Well, we all know where the awards money went this year . . . splashes of color add up.
Seriously, you do a nice, job, Jeff. We jounalists have to have some fun with each other now and then.
NC Braves Fan
June 9th, 2009
9:00 am
Well-known fact: John McCain has a lot fewer beans to count than Tom Glavine(if you subtract Mrs. Mc’s largesse).
On the other hand, McCain has a better fastball, so he’s got that goin’ for him.
Cheri Myers
June 9th, 2009
9:01 am
Have to say I still remember the first time Glavine pitched. He was so cocky but we all knew he was something special. The Braves did him wrong. I support him 100%. He deserved so much better. This has all broke my heart and has made me not like baseball anymore. I lost all respect for it. Great article though.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
9:08 am
NC Braves Fan — I could see where Cindy’s probably a little high maintenance. Did you know that she also was addicted to Vicodin at one time? So she’s got something in common with Brett Favre.
Willy Wally
June 9th, 2009
9:14 am
David Palmer wasn’t much of a pitcher, but he was a helluva President on 24.
Joey
June 9th, 2009
9:15 am
The only thing I disliked about the Glavine decision is the Braves feeling they owe an explanation for the decision. They don’t owe Tom Glavine anything!!! He signed the contract and knew it was performance-based. If anyone owes someone something, Glavine owes the Braves for last season, what 8M for a couple of wins? Enough about it already…. Oh, and I don’t but that 50-50 poll either…
E
June 9th, 2009
9:19 am
who gives a flying f*** what john mccain thinks about it?
NC Braves Fan
June 9th, 2009
9:21 am
@Jeff Schultz: Are we gonna work our way back to Kevin Bacon?
Seriously though, I agree with you that he should not file a grievance. I wonder if that’s a bit of a PR smokescreen on his part so he can make the case that he is indeed ready to go pitch for someone?
Willy Wally
June 9th, 2009
9:21 am
Did McCain point at Wren and say “THAT ONE OVER THERE!”?
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 9th, 2009
9:21 am
Palin is definately a political hottie.
dap01
June 9th, 2009
9:22 am
Glavine left the Braves because of the money. Tex left the Braves because of the money.
Smoltz and Glavine need to get over themselves. Enough of this story.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
9:25 am
Willy Wally — Ding! Ding! Ding!
Joey — I can’t debate this any more. Be well, my son.
E — he’s on Twitter! Everything matters on Twitter! Where have you been?
Reality Time
June 9th, 2009
9:27 am
Mr. Schultz, you might want to add a category 3 to your unofficial poll. Tom Glavine signed with the Mets for more money. That’s a business decision, I accept it, don’t hate the guy cause I don’t know him. If he pitched well when he came back to Atlanta, glad to have him. Since he didn’t, albeit due to injury, we need to evaluate his position with the team. As to the last game he pitched in the minors, that was just another chance for him to prove he still had it. I think the million he was paid covers that outing. A decision was made that, in the opinion of other professionals who are paid to evaluate talent, that he no longer had what was required to help the team. That’s also a business decision. Why can’t he (and you) accept that?
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
9:28 am
The_Superhoo — Sh’s definitely hotter than McCain. And defnitely gets the nod over Geraldine Ferraro back in 1984 (for the youngsters here).
Paul From Milton
June 9th, 2009
9:30 am
I still don’t understand what the Braves options were if they decided they would rather have Hanson pitch for them. Glavine wasn’t going to retire so what were the options – trade him? Put him in the bullpen? Release someone else so he could sit on the bench? It seems to me that selfishness and greed works both ways here. Glavine used up his Braves entitlement quota when he took the $15 and left for New York. I don’t begrudge him that, just don’t return and act like the Braves owe you something.
Dtruth
June 9th, 2009
9:30 am
The Braves did what they had to do, Glavine is no better than anyone else. He is not entitled to be handled with kid gloves. He has made a lot of money and was blessed to play a game for a living, be idolized by many and walk away with millions. Be grateful for what you got and move on to the next thing. Even though the Braves more than likely lied to him, the same thing happens everyday in the workplace to harder working people than Glavine and we don’t get to walk away with millions.
Paul From Milton
June 9th, 2009
9:31 am
Sorry, $15 million…
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
9:33 am
Paul: I knew what you meant. But I do think $15 will still get you a corned beef on rye in Manhattan (chips extra).
Jim n Buckhead
June 9th, 2009
9:34 am
Hey union man welcome to getting laid off like a lot of other americans…….the braves didnt want you….im sowwy now grow up….
Reality Time
June 9th, 2009
9:37 am
One more thing, the Braves played 15 innings last night and won a hard-fought game. Chris Medlen pitched three scoreless innings in relief. Our new center fielder got his first home run with the Braves. Chipper Jones and Brian McCann continue to produce. Thought that might have made it into your column, however it appears that all things Glavine are more important. I know that you are an “opinion” columnist, not a facts man, but believe me, by now I believe everyone knows what your opinion is. Enough.
NC Braves Fan
June 9th, 2009
9:39 am
Paul from Milton: I don’t think the issue is THAT the Braves did what they did, it’s HOW they went about it.
Why make him make especially that final rehab start in Rome if they already knew what they were going to do? It’s not like a 43-y-o guy popping a 78 mph fastball is suddenly going to gas it up to 90, or even 85.
The point is the Braves aren’t being completely honest here, and they should have communicated their concerns to Tommy a lot earlier.
BBrown
June 9th, 2009
9:44 am
Ok, which is the most unlikely pair – John McCain & Terry McGuirk or your AJC colleague Mark Bradley & John Smoltz?
By the way, this “unanimous” decision among Braves management is the biggest joke. I just can’t see Mr. Loyal Bobby Cox showing Glavine the door, especially after saying that he was “throwing hard” and threw 11 straight scoreless innings. By the way, who cares about his velocity. He has never been a Nolan Ryan thrower. Rather, it’s been location, location, location.
Sorry Terry, McCain was right!
NC Braves Fan
June 9th, 2009
9:47 am
To my previous post I would add the point that the proper time to communicate their concerns to Glavine would have been when he had his setback and said he was contemplating retirement. The Braves should have called a meeting right then and there and let him know that with Hanson progressing in the minors, they were not altogether sure that Tommy G would make the team if the rehab process dragged on much longer.
DirtyDawg
June 9th, 2009
9:50 am
I’ve never begrudged Glavine’s taking the money and runnin’ to NY. However, as soon as he did, his claim that the Braves now owe him something for all those previous years of (fully compensated) service – like an extra million after they’d already paid him one mil just for trying to get himself back into shape following elbow and shoulder surgeries at the ripe-old-age of 43, and eight mil last year just to pitch 63 innings. All bets were off then Tom, and as for McCain’s comment on this, all one has to do is recall his choice of running-mate to appreciate the quality of his judgment.
Paul H
June 9th, 2009
9:57 am
Jeff – just playing devil’s advocate on Favre, but is there something wrong with just wanting to play football?
SimpleDawg
June 9th, 2009
9:58 am
Too bad for Tommy, but didn’t he receive $1 million for rehabbing and pitching in a few minor league games? Where do I sign up for this mistreatment? So what if he didn’t receive an additional $1 million for getting shelled in a few major league games….unless he’s as stupid as Mike Vick, he should have plenty of money to retire on and continue a lavish lifestyle.
Smoltzie and Glavine are history….Happy Trails, to you….
Spud Webb
June 9th, 2009
10:02 am
GOOD LORD, if I have to hear anymore crap from the two sissies Smoltz & Glaving I’m going to puke. Can you two shut your pieholes? MOVE ON. IT’S A BUSINESS. Tommy, didn’t you walk to the METS for a million or so more than the Braves were offering a few years ago?? YES, it’s a BUSINESS, take your ball and go play somewhere else. Quit crying and man up. Goodness, Smoltz, you TOOK the money and ran, so shut up and pitch in beantown. NOBODY here in Atlanta CARES ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY. Please, Please I hope you get to start in the new yankee stadium at some point this year so you can get BOMBED. Enough already, here is the bottom line, the Braves are a BETTER team with Glavine gone and Smoltz in boston. PERIOD.
june_baby
June 9th, 2009
10:05 am
half the people comdemming tom glavine for taking 15 million more from the mets than the braves, are also people who rant against support for citizens, or agree that banks and other corps should max their profits to the expense of bankrupting the country.
Reality Time
June 9th, 2009
10:06 am
NC Fan: #1 I don’t take everything that the Atlanta Braves say as gospel, #2 I don’t take everything that Tom Glavine says as gospel. We don’t know when concerns were expressed, or what concerns were expressed. If the Braves had not allowed Glavine to pitch the rehab starts in the minors, then the complaint would be they didn’t give him a chance to show what he could do. Since they gave him that opportunity, now it is being said they demeaned him by not accepting his own statement that he was ready to pitch. My point is this, there would have been no good time and no good way, when one of the parties is unwilling, either rightly or wrongly, to admit that perhaps his time is past. Many great players have done this, Tom Glavine wouldn’t be the first. There are no good guys, there are no bad guys, there’s just this: life is hard and then you die.
JSS
June 9th, 2009
10:08 am
What’s that foul and rancid smell floating from Marietta St.? One guess, two words, one starts with a J and the other with an S….
Tom Glavine Scorned
June 9th, 2009
10:09 am
I haf cole ringfinga. I am coming off suhgawee. Gif me a bweak. I haf to go get my teef.
Old Blue
June 9th, 2009
10:11 am
Schultz. . . Move over and let Spud Webb do the editorilizing. He may not be as funny, but He puts the facts right on . . .well. . . the money!!
NC Braves Fan
June 9th, 2009
10:12 am
Reality – I hear you, but the Braves’ public statements on this pretty much confirm that no communication of this nature took place until “the meeting”.
My overall point is that if a guy is contemplating retirement, the Braves could have looked a little better in the long run by having a heart-to-heart with Tommy G at that point. I mean, they had to know this was possible – perhaps even probable – months ago.
fifthbusiness
June 9th, 2009
10:16 am
You know it all boils down to if one or two million is significant in baseball Monopoly money. I say it would be for me if I was the owner, I would be pissed at paying Tom $9 mil for 1.5 months of work the last few years. Let Tom go pitch for someone else this summer and prove mean old Frank Wren wrong.
The Truth
June 9th, 2009
10:19 am
The comment about Farve is pretty ignorant. A torn bicep in the latter half of the year does not equate to a dead arm.
Reality Time
June 9th, 2009
10:21 am
NC Braves Fan: Surely Glavine also knew this was possible, even probable. Again to my point, if they had talked about it at an earlier time, Glavine’s tale of woe would have been they weren’t giving him a chance. Look, the guy isn’t objective. His pride has been wounded. No one wants to hear, at any time, they aren’t good enough any more. There is no easy, or good, way to do it. It’s like pulling a band aid off a wound, slow or fast, it still hurts.
Dennis
June 9th, 2009
10:24 am
A year from now we will be reading about the horrendous treatment of Glavine by Schultz. It is over and there has to be something else you can write about. Glavine is gone, and I for one believe it was entirely appropriate. Do I believe the Braves could have been more gentlemanly in the way it was handled…yes. The action was correct and it is over. I look forward to seeing Glavine enter the Hall of Fame and I will always be thankful for the time he spent in Atlanta, but it is time to move on.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
10:30 am
Reality Time: Thanks for the tremendous insight.
NC Braves Fan: Thanks for saying what I’m tired of saying.
BBrown: I think Mark and John would both tell you it’s Bradley/Smoltz. But you’ll have to check with them.
Paul H: Not at all. Just don’t keep telling somebody you’re retiring, having tearful press conferences and forcing a team to change directions and release you, after which you change your mind again. Bottom line Paul: He’s a liar. He wanted out of Green Bay and he never really wanted to play for the Jets.
NC Braves Fan
June 9th, 2009
10:33 am
Reality – I don’t think he would be able to come back with that kind of claim. If a guy says he’s contemplating retirement after his shoulder flares up and the team says, “hey, we aren’t altogether sure you fit into our plans,” seems like Glavine could make a more informed (albeit quite difficult) decision whether to press on with the rehab.
It wouldn’t necessarily be any easier, but the Braves would look a little better at this point.
CharlotteDave
June 9th, 2009
10:37 am
Glavine is one of my favorite all time Braves, and I never blamed him for what happened when he went to the Mets. I also don’t have any problem with the decison the Braves made to release him. Those who say the Braves should have let him pitch a game or two before making the decision are not being realistic or thinking things through: If they let Glavine pitch a game or few and he does a decent job, then what? Wouldn’t that make it even more awkward to release him? Or should they leave Hanson in the minors the rest of the year just for sentimental reasons? I’ve still yet to hear anyone explain what other reasonable or responsible alternative the Braves had.
Ted Striker
June 9th, 2009
10:41 am
A guy who still uses a 20 lb. black rotary dial telephone Twitters? Yeah, right. If that Werthers original eating m_ is doing his own Tweeting, I’m filming a sex tape with Paris Hilton while Britney Spears holds the camera.
Observation: Jeff like dead-arm pitcher. Jeff no like dead-arm QB.
(Spike TV Pros vs. Joes — where they both belong — like both).
Gene
June 9th, 2009
10:45 am
Glavin has been a target of criticism since the players’ strike, and I think that younger fans just don’t know what he contributed. Now the character attacks have extended to Smoltz. I don’t recall Smoltz whining about his own treatment. The point is, Glavin should have had a chance. He couldn’t have done worse than Hanson. If he failed, give him his million dollars and a gold watch at Tom Glavin Day. The last week will cloud everything that happens in the future regarding the Braves and Tommy Glavin, including admission to the Hall of Fame, where Glavin is sure to end up in spite of Scheurholtz and Wren’s duplicity. Secondly, I wonder how the shabby treatment of Glavin will affect player morale. It certainly won’t help. This situation with Glavin is just another indication that the Braves’ front office is in serious disarray.
Johnny Quest
June 9th, 2009
10:50 am
Which team jersey will Glavine, Smoltz, and Maddux wear when they are inducted into the HOF?
chipperjonesrules
June 9th, 2009
10:50 am
is there any sane person who thinks Glaving gives the braves a better chance to win than Hanson?
anyone? Bueller?
case closed.
ndadome
June 9th, 2009
10:51 am
Zane Smith doesn’t look as much like the “other brother Darrel” in that photo as he used to. .obviously touched up.
andy landers
June 9th, 2009
10:52 am
wonder why Puleo’s daughter tranferred from the Lady Dog b-ball team? And, 4.63 era was really the league’s lowest?
GT
June 9th, 2009
10:55 am
Maybe it is we have had so few Glavines in this town I don’t know how to act. Maybe I did have my mind made up before all this in some subconscious way that Glavine was a union man which has never been a southern tradition, helped shut down major league baseball when the Braves were just starting to roll and then goes to our arch rivals the Mets who found out he was no bargain. But then maybe the press had their mind made up too. Maybe because Glavine is a union man he knows how to use the press with his obnoxious wining, his manipulation of a situation that has made us forget he is 43 years old. His disregard for this present team as if he is more important. Maybe kids should sit in the farm system that could start and these kids should pay the price of our debt we owe this guy. Maybe we should pay a million dollars to Glavine instead of using it for a new center fielder that might take us to a 15th division championship. This town has not had the taste of victory very much and I can see how the past looks more secure than the present or future. If we owe anything to Glavine then we owe a hell of a lot more to the Braves organization. It is no coincidence we have three hall of frame pitchers, along with a few like Chipper that will be there too. How did the Braves know what the future was to bring. How did they know the rookie center fielder would bomb like he did or Hanson would blossom, all this was still in the mix when Glanvine and his agent were cutting their deal. When games become so cheap we can toss away one or two to have a Glavine “has been” farewell party, I have watched my last game in Atlanta. We use to have that with Turner managing the Braves for a couple of games and all those false publicity stunts. That was no substitute for winning, and serious baseball, and I am glad to see we have passed that stage. If you are going to bring somebody back bring the Hammer, he probably can hit better than some of our guys are doing right now. The one thing this team does not need is pitchers.
Mike
June 9th, 2009
10:59 am
Come on Schultz. Look at it right. If Glavine can leave for a great contract with the Mets, which was his right, then the Braves can exercise their right to release him. When he went to the Mets, you didn’t see the braves brass whining. These super stars have egos as big as Stone Mountain. You can almost hear them saying…How dare they release me after all I have done for them? Let it go everyone, it is old news.
Willy Wally
June 9th, 2009
11:01 am
The working man is forever a sucker. The working man is such a sucker that the bossman always convinces the working man to be more angry with his fellow working man than the bossman.
Mark
June 9th, 2009
11:01 am
Jeff is perfect for the AJC. He is the laziest sports columnist I have ever read. His carefree relationship with the facts has always amazed me.
Dan
June 9th, 2009
11:03 am
You left out a grouping, fine change teams for the money, but there was a counter offer that while still less years the annual salary was much closer (not to mention a good chunk of the excess was probably used for a second home in NY). But I digress, what annoyed me was Glavine saying the Braves didn’t give him a fair shake, fact is the Mets WAY overpaid for him. He was given more than a fair offer by the Braves. They both should have found some middle ground and got him to stay. Of course as a Union rep he wasn’t allowed to take less. But net net, if you are going for the cash good for you, just don’t say you were jobbed. As for the recent situation, it could have been handled better but, based on an account I read, had he actually pitched in a game a million dollar contract clause would have kicked in (could be a rumor) if that is so, an intelligent guy can’t possibly think it would be a good move for the Braves to bring him up for a $1M farewell game or two.
(and I saw him in Gwinnett 80 MPH fastballs are not gonna get it done)
C Washington
June 9th, 2009
11:03 am
Glavine needs to get over it. He left the Braves years ago for more money and thought he was justified. The Braves made a financial decision to get rid of him, and they are justified. He honestly would not have been one of the top six available starters and he knows it. Baseball is a buisness, he knows that.
Willy Wally
June 9th, 2009
11:04 am
When he went to the Mets, you didn’t see the braves brass whining. (MIKE)
SAY WHAT?!?!?!?!? Did you fail to notice all the p.r. spin and damage control they attempted in the paper and on the airwaves back then? Did you read Schuerholz’s book? Gimme a break.
Joey
June 9th, 2009
11:08 am
Nice slam-dunk, Spudd!!!
NoleRick
June 9th, 2009
11:08 am
I cant believe the sentiment of most people on here griping because Glavine took more money. You people obviously went to the same school that Obama went to. Sorry people, we (currently) live in a capitalistic society and I dare one of you to turn down a better job offer from another employer to the exact same job. I bet you wouldnt be as “loyal” either. Business is Business.
Spud Webb
June 9th, 2009
11:10 am
GT, GREAT POST.
Gene, for us to actually take your post seriously you need not mis-spell Glavin, 5 times, it’s Glavine. Thanks for playing.
Jeff R
June 9th, 2009
11:13 am
Two observations on the Glavine debacle.
1) Don’t the Braves have a publicity/communications department? Might management consider looping in the PR pros so that it doesn’t bungle such sensitive matters?
2) Let’s keep in mind that Glavine returned to the Braves not out of team loyalty (if there is such a thing in this day and age), but because he and his family reside in the Atlanta area. He didn’t want to be away from them anymore. That’s fair.
Otherwise, Glavine leaves the game (I presume he’s leaving)a rich man, a future Hall of Famer and a guy who has a place in MLB if he so chooses.
A botch by Braves management, indeed. But somehow, some way, Tommy will get back on his feet.
All I'm Saying Is...
June 9th, 2009
11:14 am
Would you believe the Braves beat reported picked them to win the west in 1985 due to having Bruce Sutter? By 1987, we were indeed in another wasteland having tasted success in 1982 and 1983. Not as awful as the pathetic 1970s following our short-lived dream season of 1969 but painful nonetheless. Then like green shoots in the spring after a very long winter, signs of hope in 1987 in the form of Tom Glavine followed by the late season pick-up of John Smoltz. Next we parted company with Murph and brought up David Justice. Then came Ron Gant and Steve Avery and Pete Smith and we had reason to hope because we finally had a few guys with talent. All of this led to that magic night in October 1995 when Tommy pitched the game of his life, Justice hit the one that mattered the most, and Wohlers found the strike-zone long enough for Rafael Belliard to run down a foul ball (very clutch first out in the 9th) and Marquis ‘Atlanta Native’ Grissom to run down and squeeze out number three. Anyone a fan of this team as long as I have been (1969)understands why Glavine was released but also knows that he (and Justice and Smoltz (who has more in the tank left than Tommy in my opinion)) deserved to be treated better (and kudos to McCain as he’s right on this one, just like you were Sarge–I’m going to make that your nickname Schultz (like you’ve never heard it before)).
JD
June 9th, 2009
11:26 am
Jeff (that’s what the ‘J’ stands for in JD, btw) – I neither think that the Braves are weasels, nor do I hold a grudge against Glavine for signing with the Mets. Glavine was signed JUST IN CASE so we didn’t run out of starters like we did last year. When he was finally ready, it turned out the Braves didn’t need him. The Braves were faced with the following decision – call up our future ace and get him some experience, or pay an extra $1 million to see Glavine put up a 4.50 ERA at best. Going with Hanson over Glavine made sense for every reason except for sentimentality, and I’m glad they made it.
I am not happy with you, Mr. Schultz, but I’m going to read the rest of your countdown now. I hope it’s full of your wit and dry humor that I so thoroughly enjoy.
NRBQ
June 9th, 2009
11:27 am
So, Jeff, Palin is this week’s Countdown Babe?
Sigh.
mcdaviddawg
June 9th, 2009
11:28 am
The big issue with Glavine is why did the Braves get involved with him again. The story would have eventually ended much the sameway no matter what. There was no place to go but down with an old used up player.
JD
June 9th, 2009
11:32 am
From that picture it looks like Palin has some moose calves.
harleyman
June 9th, 2009
11:38 am
Got Tommy’s phone number. I’ll send him a dang text message. When’s the real story gonna get told about why Dave Justice got traded. I believe Tommy had something to do with that.
Mike
June 9th, 2009
11:39 am
Who put Palin on the Zane Smith baseball card? Great Photoshop work guys!
Hoosier Aaron
June 9th, 2009
11:40 am
Aww, Zane Smith….I’ll never forget the game Zane was on the mound. Ground ball hit to Ron Gant….who booted it….Zane spiked his glove on the mound.
I did that once……when I was 8.
Kendawg
June 9th, 2009
11:40 am
I think the Braves made a major mistake when they brought Glavine back to Atlanta in the first place. An idiot could have foreseen that he would not be worth 8 million at his age. I guess that makes Frank Wren dumber than an idiot. He got two wins for his 8 million.
theGman
June 9th, 2009
11:44 am
Sorry guys, but I gotta say; I’m tired of the whining about loyalty to Glavine and the Braves just looking at $$$. That is exactly what Tommy himself did to Atlanta when he went to NY. Guess he can’t handle the shoe being on the other foot. That Karma is a powerful thing.
Milton
June 9th, 2009
11:47 am
As far as Glavine goes, I was never angry at him for signing with the Mets or his union activies. In fact, I am a Mets fan. I just thought that the Braves should not have re-signed him in the first place. He is a 40+ year old pitcher coming off of arm surgery. Even if they did the right thing by signing him in February, circumstances changed. Hanson was lights out, and McLouth became available. Tim Hudson will be available later in the summer. All of a sudden the Braves have a wealth of starting pitching. Someone would have eventually had to be sent packing. Giving him starts just for sentimental reasons made no sense. The money was a consideration, I am sure, but the botton line is that an evaluation was made and a sound decision was made. Right decision, but handled badly.
ArkyTech
June 9th, 2009
11:48 am
Haha, Charlie Puleo.
DWW
June 9th, 2009
11:52 am
How dare the braves front office make a decision that was best for the team.
TPM
June 9th, 2009
11:54 am
Enough about how Glavine was treated. Aren’t cuts like these made in the NFL all the time?
that guy
June 9th, 2009
11:57 am
This is a very interesting story to me. I’m a life-long Braves fan and grew up during the Braves run. Tom Glavine is one of my all-time favorite Braves, but he is wrong here. When he left Atlanta for New York I was hurt, but reminded myself that he did not owe the Braves a hometown discount all he owed them was to perform his contract (which he did).
I am hurt that there is no place for him with the Braves now, but I remind myself that Braves do not owe him anything more than the contracts he has worked for and whatever the contract that was just terminated provided.
Anyone who wants to convince me, should show me how the Braves violated the contract. Otherwise, your opinion is tainted by your emotion and you live in world with no standards.
Along the same lines, the guy who said that Tom doesn’t need another million dollars is also wrong. We have no right to tell anyone else how much they need or should earn if it is earned honestly and legally. If someone else is willing to pay Tom money to work and he things he needs, or wants, it; go get it.
Yea Right
June 9th, 2009
11:59 am
Has nothing to do with Glavine playing for the mets. Has everything to do with age, his past 6 year record and that we had Hanson waiting for his call. If Glavine would not have crashed and burned last year maybe different story. But actually I didnt want him last year being sided by Hampton who was well Hampton and John Smoltz. I thought that was a bad risk and I was right. The braves took Tom last year to let him retire a brave. He helped to kill the club, he should have just retired and gotten it over.
AceCometh
June 9th, 2009
12:00 pm
Stop Bashing the Braves already! They made a mess of things in how they released Glavine, but at least he got an appology from a class act that is their team president. Frank Wren has made some good transactions as GM, but the man is obviously not good at talking to players face to face. The blame lies in Frank Wren. Yet releasing Glavine was the right move. It made business sense and it made sense for the team. Hanson got rocked in his first outing, but he’ll do just fine. The Braves and Glavine will kiss and make up and eventually retire his number, just like they’re doing with Maddux on July 17 before the game versus the Mets.
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
12:01 pm
NRBQ: Yes, Sarah will have to suffice as this week’s Tuesday Countdown babe. Here’s other shots I considered using:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WAp4e02H65g/SP53gDK0afI/AAAAAAAAAJw/9Iq9X-XJELA/s400/sarah-palin.jpg
http://weblogs.cltv.com/news/opinion/mcclendon/Sarah-Palin-Miss-Wasilla-1984.jpg
http://www.millionface.com/l/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/sarah-palin-as-vice-president2.jpg
(oh wait, that’s Tina Fey. Never mind.)
Jeff Schultz
June 9th, 2009
12:03 pm
JD: I can get past the moose calves.
Navigator
June 9th, 2009
12:06 pm
I would have taken the money too! However, I wouldn’t say anything about the Braves, when no one else would hire him. He took the money, failed to pitch most of last year, and may not be able to pitch competitively this year. So where’s the beef, can’t say he did so much for Braves because he cut and run, and now the Braves have made a decision to cut their losses and they’re the bad guys. As I said in previous blogs, the Glavine’s of the world are being enabled with this attitude by both the fans and the media. I’m neither, so I look at his being cut the same way I hear someone in my company is laid off, I have empathy for their plight, and damn glad it wasn’t me.
MiltonDawg
June 9th, 2009
12:06 pm
Palin looks hot in front of the bike..man those legs!! Tommy G/Favre, you guys are finished. Give it up Brett!! i’m tired of seeing 45 mins of sportscenter and nfl network dedicated to Favre. Must say, love the hair on Zane Smith in that picture. What that the pre-cursor to the 90’s mullet??
Turd Ferguson
June 9th, 2009
12:09 pm
Tommy-Boy got what he deserved and when will Ms Palin pose in Hustler Mag?!!!
MiltonDawg
June 9th, 2009
12:09 pm
guys face it, this is a new regime for the braves. you either smoke or get smoked..simple as that. a few months from now, all will be forgotten. let’s just hope the braves can actually stay above .500.
Pal Joey
June 9th, 2009
12:11 pm
Your comment concerning certain fans being upset about Glavine leaving for the Mets does not apply to many of us who don’t care if his feelings are hurt. I was glad to see him leave. He had a right to seek the best deal he could get. What finished him with me was his strident stance in 1994 when he pushed the Major League Players Union to strike and cancel the World Series. His poor little feelings are hurt? Tough! He wasn’t concerned at all with the fans’ feelings in 1994. I say “Good Riddance”. Take your millions and fade into the woodwork, Tommy Boy.
Pablo
June 9th, 2009
12:12 pm
Earth to Glavine: You won the lottery for 20 years in a row. An additional 350,000 people lost their jobs in May, and unlike you, most went out the door with only a footprint on their ass as severance. You were treated badly by your employer – we get it – stop crying and be a man.
that guy
June 9th, 2009
12:16 pm
I was not aware that he won the lottery. I thought he spent his life developing a skill that demands the kind of money he was paid. Good for him. Bad for him that his skills have declined to the point that they no longer demand that kind of money.
wxwax
June 9th, 2009
12:21 pm
The whole Glavine thing is a non-event.
I don’t hold it against him that he left for the Mets because of the money. Why shouldn’t he? It’s a business.
I’m just mystified that he holds the Braves to a different standard than he holds himself. He sounds like a very nice man.
But it’s never easy for a superstar athlete to leave the game, and this kind of unseemly squawking has more to do with Glavine’s ego and self-identity than it does with how the Braves have treated him. I think back to the messy divorces Ronnie Lott and Roger Craig had with Bill Walsh’s 49ers. Same thing.
He wanted to enjoy the adulation of a stadium for one last time, and now he’ll never hear it again. That’s what is really bothering him, not the Braves.
costa's chronicles
June 9th, 2009
12:25 pm
“The Demise in the Center of the D”
As I sat, along the third base side of Atlanta Fulton County stadium on that Wednesday evening, in early April, back in 1991, I almost cried as I noticed something for the first time in my life. That being, the reality of change of a grander scale. Change, something that many people struggle to adapt and accept, rightfully so. Sid Bream, Rafael Belliard, and Terry Pendleton. I asked really? Who? This is the answer? Clearly, interesting at best. I liked Ken Oberkfell, I liked Andres Thomas, well only one year I might add. I liked Rafael Ramirez, and I certainly liked Chris Chambliss. Although I have to admit, that his fist pumping homerun against the Royals in that playoff game, in late October, wearing that Yankee uniform, is my most notable memory of him. Bottom line, is I liked them. Looking out on to the field, for the first time since I started going to what would be mine and my fathers favorite past time and lasting memory, there it was, Opening Day. Starring right at me and piercing through my soul and heart like Robinson Crusoes fate at the Island of Despair. Change on the grandest scale. It became real, it became obvious, it became a defining moment in my young life. Realizing that change is way more than a different pair of shoes, another grade of school, a different type of cereal or sausage instead of pepperoni. No, you see, this was, to me, a much more bitter taste of reality. The Atlanta Braves, season after season, losers of 100 games, more than once. To me, the Braves were life, they were the World they were the way, and they certainly were every bit of that in my life. Life, as I knew it, only evolved around them, and when September came around and as the late Skip used to say, so long everybody, we’ll see you next year, never saying what I wanted so badly to hear him say, we’ll see you in October baby.&n bsp; Life existed only April-September. There I sat, for the first time in my life, with a feeling of true fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of the new, fear of change. Change was a coming and I didn’t like it. I hated it, but like with any time of change, it’s almost strangely forced. Forced as I was about change, I almost wanted the new comers to fail. Odd that the only thing of the Atlanta Braves I knew was true and utter failure. See a strange resemblance here? I do, no doubt. Had I become complacent with failure, was failure the only thing I knew? There, right in the center of the D, the demise of true failure, sat an opportunity for change and I hated every bit of it. Well, any Braves fan knows how that change turned out. An extra inning loss in game 7 of the World Series, not too bad. Next April, I hope I sit in that same spot, on the third base side, only this time at the Ted, just a few feet away and hope, just hope, I feel that same sense of change on the grandest stage.
Hoping for change~
Vol_In_Ohio
June 9th, 2009
12:30 pm
Who is the catcher in the photo? Is it Ozzie Virgil?
TPM
June 9th, 2009
12:36 pm
The silence you hear is 29 other teams not calling Glavine’s agent.
Chris
June 9th, 2009
12:39 pm
Anyone who compares pro athletes to the common man is an idiot. There is no comparison. They lead better lifestyles than us. Deal with it. Learn to distinguish the divide.
That said, I can’t honestly believe anyone is STILL butthurt by the players strike. That was my 15th birthday. Baseball was my favorite sport by far. I was going down the connector, right by the AFCS sign RIGHT when 640 came on the air and announced it. That’s how vivid the memory is to me, and how much it hurt. I got over it, you can too. While football has surpassed baseball in my mind, I always make time for it.
He led the strike process. Cry more. You certainly didn’t begrudge him when he pitched Game 6. Everything was hunky-dory then, huh? Things are fine, as long as you win – that’s the message I get from the so-called fans on these blogs.
Glavine to NY? Got over that, too. Couldn’t blame him. More money is more money. Did it upset me? Sure. But I cheered for him every time he came back. Because I’m not a mental midget, and can appreciate him for his body of work and not one or two bad images. Problem is, for you people, 2 negatives will always outlive his many successes. He’s selfish, but you aren’t?
The Braves should have never signed him to be a backup plan. And when the situation warranted not bringing him up, they should have told him earlier. Not a ‘make a decision in the next five minutes, pal’ situation. You could have then sat down together and had a press conference like men. But Frank Wren seems incapable of being a man (see the Cal Ripken plane incident). I’m surprised he even showed up. I pegged him for leaving a note in his locker. I’m glad someone in that organization still has some pride.
Homer
June 9th, 2009
12:41 pm
FIRE SCHULTZ!!!
JM
June 9th, 2009
12:42 pm
As a Mets fan I find it ironic that any of you consider Glavine “disloyal” for signing with the Mets. The reality is he never wanted to be a Met. He signed with them when the game of chicken he had going with John Schuerholz backfired. Most Mets fans never accepted him and still viewed him as a Brave. This was especially true when we would periodically hear stories about how much he missed Atlanta, the Braves, Coxsie, Smoltzie etc. In 2007 when he imploded down the stretch and helped blow the division his reaction was – 1. What’s the big deal. 2. I can’t wait to get back to the Braves. Honestly, I think it’s hilarious how his beloved Braves treated him in the end. I guess you can’t go home again.
Keef1234
June 9th, 2009
12:43 pm
Smoltz/Glavine: The Brett Favres of baseball.. They went from classy icons to jerks.
Why is it: “just business”… when Glavine led baseball to be shut down in 1994 AND signed for just $3 million dollars more with the Mets (ending up with a rotten .500 record). Why is it just business when Smoltz left for the Redsox for a couple of million more…But when the Braves make managerial decisions for Tommy Hanson and McLouth — two bonafide upgrades, Smoltz and Glavine cry like babies. I thought it was JUST BUSINESS??? numbskulls..
The Braves paid you over $100 million dollars to play a kids game. SHUT UP! YOU’RE BOTH THROUGH. After all it just business… here’s an idea: why don’t Glavine, Smoltz and favre have a bbq at one of their mansions and have a pity party…
the real Andy
June 9th, 2009
12:44 pm
maybe this would have gone better if the Braves front office had talked to Glavine about it as he progressed through rehab, told him that they were concerned about velocity, and there was a good chance they would bring up hanson instead, etc . a little communication generally helps.
Still, I’m glad we made the right decision.
i don’t hold a grudge against him for leaving or for his role during the strike, and I do think we could have handled the situation better. But as a guy who has stressed the business side of baseball his whole career, Glavine sure seems a little whiny here. He should publicly put an end to this nonsense talk of a grievance and move on with some dignity.
Pretend Hero
June 9th, 2009
12:52 pm
Glavine got treated with the same respect this team would show any future hall of fame player who won a world series for them…………..
If you look up True Class in the dictionary, there is a picture of Wren.
I would love to know how many people elected not to renew thier season tickets in the last week or so. I really doubt I am the only one. Esp based on how hard the Braves are trying to save face now. Better hope Tommy Hanson does not loose his next three.
JeanE
June 9th, 2009
1:01 pm
I was furious with Glavine when he left for the Mets & booed him every chance I got. But, when he pretty much admitted he made a mistake & seemed to make EVERY effort to come back & finish with the Braves, I said let bygones be bygones. Apparently, those idiots running the Braves (yes that means you Frank Wren & Shuerholtz, too) learned nothing from the John Smoltz debacle! You just don’t treat Tom Glavine this way, why not let him pitch at least 1 game in the majors to see what’s he’s got left? Money, that’s why! You can try & spin it any way you want, it all boils down to money. I would certainly understand why he won’t ever want to do anything to represent the Braves ever again. You stabbed him in the back, let him pitch in the minors thinking he’s 1 start away from coming back when you were hoping he’s blow his arm out so you wouldn’t have to pay him. I hate Frank Wren, I really do. It didn’t have to be this way with either Smoltz or Glavine. And you are just as much to blame Shuerholtz, you’re still with the team, too. I don’t know how you guys sleep at night.