It hurts to say it, but it was time for Tom Glavine to go
When Tom Glavine was allowed to leave for the Mets in December 2002, I was outraged. (At the Braves, not at him.) The same Braves released the same Glavine on Wednesday, and here’s what I say now:
Good move.
Tom Glavine is my favorite Brave ever, but it was time — past time — for him to go. I didn’t cheer when they brought him back two winters ago, and I was against giving him another chance in 2009. A 43-year-old coming off shoulder and elbow surgery? With Tommy Hanson waiting in the minors? Was this a big-league baseball season or a sentimental journey?
“This was not a business decision,” Frank Wren told the media Wednesday. “This was a performance decision.” And there should be no arguing with that.
Tom Glavine gave the Braves a lot. He gave them the greatest night of professional sports this city has known. (Game 6, 1995 World Series, eight innings, one hit.) But he has, sad to say, nothing left to give. Wren again: “Our evaluation [of Glavine's rehab starts in the minors] was that he would not be successful at the major-league level.”
It was a grim and defensive Wren who faced the press, and sure enough the question arose: Given that John Smoltz was allowed to sign elsewhere and that Glavine has been cut, was he worried about appearances? “Obviously you’re concerned about everything,” Wren said, “but at the end of the day fans want to win, to be in the playoff hunt … If we have to deal with the consequences of a public-relations backlash, that’s part of doing business.”
Loading ...Then this: “My duty is to give the 25 players in that clubhouse the best chance to win and the best chance to be playing in October.”
And he has. Hanson is en route to the bigs, where he surely belongs. (He’ll start here Saturday night against Milwaukee.) At this point in their careers, is there any doubt a heat-bringing 22-year-old stands to help more than a 43-year-old soft-tosser? Shouldn’t that consideration trump all else?
The belief here is that there will be no massive outcry. (Glavine, as we know, was pilloried locally — and wrongly — for his role as a players’ representative during the 1994 strike.) The belief here is that the Braves will sell more tickets for Hanson’s first big-league start than they would have for Glavine’s 683rd. The belief here is that Wren deserves no grief for this move, none whatsoever.
The Braves hoped Glavine would be ready by April 17, the first time they’d need a No. 5 starter to bring the gap until Hanson was primed. Glavine couldn’t go in April (or May), and now no such gap exists with Hanson. And just because Glavine threw six shutout innings in a Rome rehab start Tuesday cut no ice. Said Wren: “Our view over the course of the last month was that he has not improved.
This wasn’t a hairline call, not for a team that has designs on winning the NL East. Toward that end, Wren traded three big-time prospects to Pittsburgh for center fielder Nate McLouth an hour after announcing Glavine’s release. This general manager is being as aggressive as is financially possible, and we should applaud him for that. Even if Wednesday didn’t seem a time for applause.
Said Wren: “It’s not a pleasant day,” and it wasn’t. Bobby Cox, a man’s man, spoke after the game with reddened eyes. And Chipper Jones, as he invariably does, sounded the exact proper note: “Sentimentally, [the day] stunk. But if you look at it in terms of this organization going forward, you have to hope it’s a step in the right direction.”
Tom Glavine is among the most distinguished Braves ever to wear the uniform. But time waits for no man, and it was time for the team he ennobled to move on.
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518 comments Add your comment
Tertium Quid
June 4th, 2009
10:08 am
Steve Carlton was another Hall of Fame lefty who tried to stay in the game a few seasons too long. I understand. The game is the player’s life. If Glavine actually pitched well in rehab, then some team with a good young staff will want him just to work with their younger pitchers.
He was a great pitcher (and hitter). Unfortunately, baseball is a game of very small margins and is cruel to its veteran heroes, except for a few.
Phil McCrotch
June 4th, 2009
10:13 am
Bush- Couple of comments on your post.
The payroll is actually closer to $100 million. Around $96m the last time I checked. And Boston will be in town in a few weeks so maybe you could see Glavine pitch that game against the Braves even sooner. Good luck with the Sox.
Chipper was asked and seen in the clubhouse after the deal and they said he was very pleased. This will be great for him in the batting lineup. Same with McCann. They hated to see TG go but they gotta be lovin this move.
Supes
June 4th, 2009
10:28 am
Mark,
you ask a good question. The honorable thing to do was to tell him (we are not going to sign you, and let him retire). You know that Tommy said he would come back only to pitch for the Braves. He had the surgeries, he did the rehab. He didn’t complain. He did everything he was asked to do b/c he was told he would get a shot at starting for this Braves team in 2009. The Braves organization comes out looking like a bunch of liers in this case. Once they addressed the SP issues with D-Lowe, Vazquez and Kawakami, knowing they had Hanson in waiting, plust JJJ already an established front line starter, plus Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton (as 5th starter options if anyone went down with an injury), if you know you are going to have SO MUCH suprlus in SP, why even SIGN Glavine?
Did Wren or anyone ever answer this question? Why? You have the depth in the SP, I just listed all your possible starters (not even going to include Medlen in the group, but as it turned out to be you can add him now).
Truth is…I understand business, but to say it’s not personal is BS to the 10th degree. All that means is that it wasn’t personal to you. That’s all that phrase means. It’s personal to Glavine, and to loyal Braves fans who DON’T want to see our HOF players “ran out of town” like career journeyman.
Bravesabove.500?
June 4th, 2009
10:37 am
I understand everyone’s outcry… for Glavine and Smoltz. Both were ICONs in ATL and two of my favorite players. But look at the facts, it’s 1/3rd of the way through the season neither has pitched an MLB inning yet this year. Both are 40+ and the body just doesn’t recover like it used to. With all due respect to these great men and their careers, it’s time to rebuild. It’s amazing to me that the same people screaming that the Braves need to get better and the same ones who want Wren’s head for letting these guys go. Times change, people age. When the rest of the league is moving forward and you’re standing still, it means you’re moving backward. Retire their numbers and give them their due…but it’s time to move forward. Good luck, Tom…you had me on the edge of my seat Game 6 1995.
Wonderin'
June 4th, 2009
10:41 am
Why is it low class to let the guy rehab up to the last minute before letting him go? Seems to me if they had cut him weeks ago as suggested by some here, then ya’ll would be moaning and groaning about not giving him a chance to get well. I think there are some fans who just can’t see anything but bad in Braves management no matter what they do. Fact is, knowing they could have pitching issues, they signed an old, injured and certainly formally great player as insurance in the hope that he’d rehab and have something left to contribute. Unfortuneately, he wasn’t ready when they needed him in April and apparently he wasn’t equal to the talent they had available now. The Braves did what a team should do: compared the people available to take the roster spot and called up the best availbale arm. Wins are too precious right now for a couple of sentimental starts.
GaLiberal
June 4th, 2009
10:44 am
The decision to let Tom “Choke” Glavin go was a good BUSINESS decision. The Braves saved $3.5 million by cutting this loser before he was in the pitching rotation. I’ve watched Glavin blow too many play-off and series games. At least now the Braves will have a better chance to win.
People have to remember the Braves are owned by Liberty Media, a company that sees them only as an outlet for more advertising. Until the Braves are owned by someone who gives a crap about winning division championships and World Series, you can forget about getting and keeping any serious talent on the team. I’m surprised that Cox has stuck around so long after the Braves headed towed the cellar. One good thing is ticket prices are coming down. Maybe they’ll go back to being $1 for a box seat like the good ol’ days. The Braves were bad, but it was really cheap entertainment.
Ken Johnson
June 4th, 2009
10:45 am
Mine This Bird…SPOT ON,Brother! I, for one, am old enough to remember when Turncoat Tommy both cost us some games…PLAYER REP!…
…and then ran to the METS of all teams…saying how much he hated to leave Atlanta…He’s always demonstrated attention to SELF…and should not be surprised, nor act hurt, when the mutual un-kindness is returned!
JEM
June 4th, 2009
10:47 am
Mr. Glavine, THANK YOU for all the memories that you have given Atlanta fans throughout the years (especially this fan of 34 years [since birth]). Good luck wherever you might pitch (except against the Braves!).
With that being said, everyone angry with the Braves for making this decision might be driven by sentimentality. Sentimentality will not win baseball games. In my opinion, Glavine should retire as a Brave. He toyed with the idea all spring. If Wren and the gang doesn’t think he has it, probably a lot of clubs won’t either (at least not in the capacity that he would prefer).
The Braves being somewhat aggressive surprises me. With Liberty Media holding the Braves only as long as they have to, I thought they would only improve the roster until time to sell.
On that note, Arthur Blank, please buy the Braves! A league with no salary cap + deep pockets = CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!
Larry
June 4th, 2009
10:47 am
The next Braves game I attend, or watch, will be when they start Smoltz or Glavine on the mound. Until then, they can drop dead. They have no class whatsoever.
gene garbage
June 4th, 2009
10:51 am
guys, and gals, glavine basically was throwing batting practice. thats the bottom line. umpires don’t give that outside strike anymore,which he lived by… throwing 80 trying to hit the spots is the not the way to pitch now-a-days.. i hate that he didn’t finish his career here,as i did when hank, murph, niekro, and many others didn’t,even hubbard, but it was time.
we can’t live in the past and succeed. always needing to move forward.
Dawg Fud
June 4th, 2009
10:52 am
So, it was business decision for Glavine to go to the Mets? it was in his best interest. understood.
why then do we rake Wren over the coals for making wht he feels is in the best interest of the Braves?
it’s okay for a player to bolt on an organization but when a club tells a guy it’s not going to work, it is considered betrayal.
i am Glavine fan. i am Braves fan. i think this was handled well. Smoltz, not so much. this situation, yes.
GO BRAVES!
Troothsayer
June 4th, 2009
10:53 am
Frank Wren cannot win in Atlanta without Yankees money. He’s a loser.
AJC
June 4th, 2009
10:55 am
Supes,
I recall just a few weeks ago after a setback in his rehab, that Glavine said he might hang it up for good…It’s obvious now, that Glavine still wants to pitch, but a struggling team like the Braves can’t afford the luxury of carrying someone whose pitching they deem not good enough for the big leagues any longer…It can’t be easy for someone like Glavine who’s is relatively young in the real world, but old for baseball to come to the realization that his pitching ability is just not there anymore..Tommy still wanting to pitch, makes this a situation that can’t end happily ever after for everyone at this moment. But, in time, all the wounds will heal and Glavine, Smoltz & Maddux will go into the HOF as Braves.
BC
June 4th, 2009
11:06 am
As a Mets fan, I watched Glavine get RIPPED in a game (his last Mets game) that essentially gave the Phllies the playoffs. Then NY got to hear his post game comments, which essentially amounted to “Oh, well. Just another game.” He should have hung up his spikes after that game/season. Pride got in the way; he wanted to see if he could make one last run (mind you with the only organization that would even give him a look). Glavine could not bear the thought of being a 300 game winner / shoe-in for the Hall that flopped horribly in his last showcase start.
Can someone tell me why the Braves should have thrown away $1 million on Glavine if a young potential starter in Hanson was ready to make the move to the bigs? Hold a future contributor back so a washed-up defector could make a final stand?
We’ll see how much MLB teams think of Glavine if anyone signs him on. It’s time for Tommy to start making the minor league rounds as a pitching coach. Get in line for the next run in the bigs, where I have no doubt you can contribute from experience.
AJC
June 4th, 2009
11:10 am
Mark,
Thanks for the response.
If after I read your article on TP, and realize that I might be wrong about some of the things that I’ve said about him. Could you go back and erase all the spiteful things I wrote? LOL
James Smith
June 4th, 2009
11:18 am
This was the wrong move, Buster Olney is right. Glavine deserved three starts. If in three starts he’s hammered and is throwing 80-81 mph beef, then fine he’s done. But this was a classless move and the Braves should be ashamed of how they have treated Glavine and Smoltz. To string a Hall-of-Fame, franchise anchoring pitcher along and then pull the rug out from under him is inexcusable. They should have released him when he first had the injury if this was the outcome.
But let’s get to Frank Wren’s move. Interesting how horrible he is. Remember the last time we heard Morton, Hernandez, and Locke in trade talks? I do. They were for 27 year-old, Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy. Locke was “too much” to give up for Peavy, yet is good enough for an above average center fielder. So let’s look back at what we could have done to evaluate Wren. First, trade Escobar, Hernandez, and Locke for Peavy instead of signing 35 year-old Lowe to an outrageous contract and giving up a first and a sandwich to do it. Second, sign either Adam Dunn (who I was rooting for) or Raul Ibanez. Both have more homeruns than our entire outfield combined.
The Doktor
June 4th, 2009
11:21 am
One more ‘hanger-on’ in the baseball world to finally get the boot, and not a moment too soon. Appears that Glavine is taking the “Steve Carlton” route to the HOF… certainly takes the ’spit shine’ off a damn nice career… oh well
James
June 4th, 2009
11:24 am
Mitch,
I think its pretty clear the Braves didn’t want it to happen this way. When Glavine had an early setback, his time table shifted which put an overlap between Glavine and Hanson. The only thing I wish the Braves would’ve done was release him after his setback instead of making him go through the rehab starts…but I do believe his stuff is gone. That being said, I love McLouth
Cardinal Fan (laughing)
June 4th, 2009
11:29 am
So the Braves bring back a future HOF fr a goodbye tour and then cut him. Yeah, Karma gonna bit your ass for this.
WILLIS PALMER
June 4th, 2009
11:38 am
WREN IS THE GENERAL MANAGER AND HAS INFO THAT NONE OF US ON THE OUTSIDE HAVE, SO I DON’T QUESTION HIS DECISION. I DO QUESTION THE MANNER IN WHICH HE CARRIED OUT HIS DECISION. FACE IT, GLAVINE DOES NOT NEED THE MONEY, BUT I THINK BASEBALL SHOULD SHOW A LITTLE MORE RESPECT FOR PLAYERS THAT HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO THE GAME. AS WAS ONCE SAID ABOUT A FAMOUS COACH, “HE COULD TELL YOU TO GO TO HELL, AND MAKE YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE TRIP.” WREN NEEDS TO TAKE A COURSE IN TACTFULNESS.GLAVINE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN LED ON TO BELIEVE HE HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE THE TEAM. I THINK HE WAS JUST KEPT HANGING ON AS A SAFETY VALVE IF OTHER PITCHING DIDN’T PROGRESS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN A GLAVINE FAN, BUT THAT WAS NOT HANDLED PROFESSIONALLY.
Jeff R
June 4th, 2009
11:40 am
Look, baseball is great; the business of baseball stinks. But that’s business.
I’m a big fan of future Hall of Famer Tommy Glavine. But had Glavine been able to make the Mets work, he may very well have stayed in NYC. He returned to the Braves for personal, not professional, reasons. He didn’t come back to Atlanta out of loyalty to the Braves.
As to just dumping Glavine, agreed. Wren could have handled it better. Give Glavine a contract as a roving intstructor. His experience and success can be very valuable to future Braves’ pitchers.
braves fan
June 4th, 2009
11:54 am
has anyone considered it may have been worth the money to have smoltzy and/or glavine on the bench for their insight, experience, and expertise for these youngsters? I think both of these guys could do wonders for the organization at any level.
HC
June 4th, 2009
12:22 pm
I recall after Mr. Glavine helped to engineer the strike in 94 (last time I EVER attended a MLB game) that he made the statement that “the fans have an obligation to come see us play”. To hell with Glavine. What goes around, comes around. Retire and enjoy your millions, you bum.
JEM
June 4th, 2009
12:22 pm
Oh yeah, like either Smoltz or Glavine would stick around and not pitch just to mentor the youngin’s!
chas
June 4th, 2009
12:27 pm
OK NOW GET RID OF FRENCHY AND BRING ON SOMEBODY WHO CAN HIT
how2fish
June 4th, 2009
12:29 pm
I have a question if my memory server that before Glavine “bolted” to the Mets he gave the Braves every chance to match that offer and stay a Brave the Braves made a “business” descsion to pass…Glavine gets labeled by a lot of pointy heads as a greedy take the money and run , me,me,me guy..but that was a business descsion the Braves made…many folks forget that…anyway I wish him well as I do Tommy Hanson and our new outfielder..if between the both of them they help the Braves half as much as Glavine did in his career well we my friends are getting a DEAL!
Good job GM Wren!!!
June 4th, 2009
12:33 pm
about time Atlanta ditched the box of tissues and sentimentality and started getting a little cut throat and serious about winning! WELL DONE GM Wren!!! I am going to go to more games now, I go to games to watch wins, not to watch ancient Hall of Famers rub ben-gay on and throw high 70’s, let’s throw some flames over that plate
Jay
June 4th, 2009
12:36 pm
Simple math. Hanson comes up, makes 7 starters with Medlin. Medlin is young, will agree to go to bullpen. Glavine? Probably too proud to not start or stay in minors until Sept callups. Let us not forget, Hudson is supposed to be back in August, making another starter. Good move Braves, and GREAT trade for McClouth. Maybe Tommy G, who I still like, can go back to the Mets.
BrutusWilson
June 4th, 2009
12:51 pm
It was about time for Tommy to go, but it was classless the way it was done. Tommy gave everything he had to the Braves organization and also GAVE THEM THEIR ONLY WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP. Remember, Tommy pitched a gem in the deciding game in the world series and without Tommy’s spectacular effort, the Cleveland Indians would have won the series in 1995. What does Tommy get in return for helping the Braves win the world series; Tommy Terrific gets kicked out on the streets. Boy, what a wonderful organization the Braves are. I will never, ever watch another Braves game as long as I live.
Dan
June 4th, 2009
12:58 pm
Ya reap what ya sow, Glavine showed the Braves his butt when he went to the mets for an extra couple of bucks. The Braves showed great class bringing him back at all. He has been washed up for years
SaulRunigan
June 4th, 2009
1:03 pm
This is the second time that the Braves have disrespected Tom Glavine.
When Glavine signed with the Mets, the Braves management made Glavine look as though he was the blame for leaving the Braves, painting Glavine as being greedy. Now this abrupt release of Glavine after tricking Glavine into thinking he was tuning himself up in the minor leagues to return to the big club. What a dirty trick by the Braves organization. Truth be told, Tommy was also washed up and could not longer pitch in the big leagues. I wonder why Bobby Cox didnt call Tommy into his office and tell him his services were no longer needed. Instead, Tommy is sent to a Triple-A farm team, Tommy pitches like Cy Young, then is told he is ready for the major leagues. So instead of carving out a space on the Braves roster, Tommy is dumped into the incinerator never to pitch for the Braves again. Well, thank God Tommy can still pitch and should catch on with another ball club and continue to add to his illustrious win total.
MindSweeper
June 4th, 2009
1:11 pm
I guess the Braves will be releasing Chipper Jones and Jeff Francour on the next round of cuts. Wow!!! The economy is much worse than I ever thought for the Braves to release arguably the “Greatest Braves Pitcher of all times in Tommy Glavine”. Goodness, this one hurts a lot!
BBF
June 4th, 2009
1:19 pm
Big, gigantic mistake! Tom Glavine’s speed, accuracy and Stamina would beat out Any 20 year old! He was perfectly ready to go, then Mr. Wren, just pulls the rug out! You are an idiot! Peter Moylan, Jeff Bennett, Buddy Carlyle, Jorge Campillo, James Parr or even Mike Gonzalez or Jo-Jo Reyes should be gone! Same crap done to Jordan Schafer, fantastic CF, yeah, kinda sucked offensively, but he improved greatly in the last month, then demoted! You guys are screwed up. You demote somebody for improvements and then before even giving Glavine a chance freaking at all, ditch him! You will pay for it, though. And all those who disagree here, anywhere, are either too young, ignorant, or both to know any better. I’ve been a Braves fan since about 1987 – I know the Braves well. I’ve been watching this year more intently than ever; haven’t missed a game, save the 1st 3. Frank Wren, you’ve just cost the Braves any chance at all at winning just the NL Championship, so much for Any freaking hopes at the World Series now!
aswingruber
June 4th, 2009
1:20 pm
How was this done the wrong way?? We signed Glavine to bridge the gap to Hanson. We had room for him in April and May to do just that but he was not ready to go. The organization gave him the benefit of the doubt by entrusting the 5th spot in the rotation to him at the beginning of the season but he was not physically able to go. It was no certainty that Hanson would be ready this early so why not evaluate Glavine during his rehab to see if he’d be able to step in if Hanson couldn’t? Hanson’s obviously ready to make the jump now and Glavine’s clearly not. Bottom line. What’s wrong with taking a long contemplative look at the two before coming to a decision? Nothing. Kudos Braves management.
Mark Bradley
June 4th, 2009
1:20 pm
What would have been the better course? To put Glavine in the big-league rotation knowing he’d get hammered? Who exactly would that have benefited? Glavine? The Braves?
I have the utmost respect for Tom Glavine, but even he’ll tell you — once he cools off — that you can’t put one man’s agenda over the team’s. It is a team sport.
Tomy Fournier
June 4th, 2009
1:20 pm
TRASH THE OLD(TP…&%$###@@”MORON COX” AND COMP.)AND BRING THE NEW…YEAHHHHH!!!
Wonderin'
June 4th, 2009
1:22 pm
SaulRunigan, are you for real? Do you really think the Braves signed Glavin just so they could “trick” him into the minors and disrespect him? Puleeeze! If they thought he could still pitch he’d be on the roster. Somebody remind me what his ERA was in his AAA starts, I don’t remember him pitching like Cy Young down there.
MD N8tv in GA
June 4th, 2009
1:29 pm
Well said Bradley! Best of luck to Glavine and thanks for the memories.
aswingruber
June 4th, 2009
1:35 pm
It’s freakin’ hilarious to read these posts from people that think the Braves organization had these evil intentions to string Glavine along and then blow him out just when he’s ready to make a triumphant return. Who in their right mind would believe that the front office just wanted to screw him over? Give me a break. Their business is to evaluate baseball talent and make a decision on which players would give the TEAM the best possible opportunity to win. I’ll trust judgement of baseball professionals over these emotionally charged bloggers who let sentiment get in the way of rationale.
WhiteyFord
June 4th, 2009
1:57 pm
It really makes no difference how rotten the Braves have treated Tom Glavine. Tom Glavine will win the Cy Young award next season anyway, regardless of whether he pitches in the American or National league. Tommy is STILL the best pitcher in baseball and he will prove it emphatically next season by winning the Cy Young Award.
444
June 4th, 2009
1:58 pm
Will you all get over the way Tommy was let go. Everybody that has a compliant seems to want to hang on to the good old glory days. You think we owe everybody from those days special treatment. I love those guys just as much as the next person but I also want to see a winner on the field again, and if anyone cares we have not made the playoffs in three years.Giving Tommy 1 million $$$$$$$$$$$$ just as a show of loyalty will not change that fact. They already did him a favor by signing him to the contract they did. Do you think anybody else would have done that at the start of training camp. If you think so you do not know baseball!! I am a true BRAVES fan and want nothing more for my kids than for them to enjoy the same winning teams that I enjoyed growing up. The only way for that to happen is for someone to have the balls to make the tough decisions. Thanks Frank!!!
TopCat
June 4th, 2009
2:02 pm
Its really a shame the way Tom Glavine was treated yesterday. Glavine was responsible for helping the Braves win their lone world title during their 15 year string of division titles and the Braves show their appreciation for that by treating Tommy like a homeless bum by dumping him out into the streets.
Steveo
June 4th, 2009
2:09 pm
Booo hooo.
Glavine should never have been picked up at all after leaving the Mets. He got SHELLED there… never started here… Got SHELLED in Gwinnett. Oh yea… he pitched mildy well in one game in Rome. Wow.
See ya Tommy. Should have retired 2 years ago…but hey the extra cash didnt hurt in the meanwhile. We forget these people are multi-multi millionaires. Its big business… stop crying for him or any of them. You do poorly = you’re out! I dont want to hear about how someone is “treated” and “respect” for all the previous years of service.
Whatever. You people are so stupid.
Steveo
June 4th, 2009
2:11 pm
Hey Whitey… smoke some more crack why dont ya.
Win the Cy Young next year. ha ha ha… coke just shot out my nose.
Hollis Griffin
June 4th, 2009
2:13 pm
Re your caption under the picture to find anyone with Glavine’s jersey on, try to find someone with anyone’s jersey on. If Frank’s and Bobby’s boys keep playing like they have been, the few fans that do show up will probably be wearing paper bags on their heads. Please explain why Schafer was kept on the roster for two months!
GoldenRetriever
June 4th, 2009
2:20 pm
I am shocked and appauled by the treatment of Tom Glavine. The Braves showed utter abuse to Tommy in their unfair treatment of him when Glavine was released. Tom Glavine was truly their golden child and was so rudely and offensively treated. In giving Glavs his unconditional release, this was analagous to kicking the crap out of him. What an utter display by the Braves of pure crap and I am no longer proud to wear Braves memorbillia. I will burn everything that has a Braves logo or emblem on it.
Robert
June 4th, 2009
2:23 pm
It was the right move, but handled totally wrong. First off, the Braves shouldnt give us the hoo-ha about the issue being Glavine’s velocity. 22 year career and velocity aint ever been an issue with, or a key to, Glavine’s success. Second, giving him 3 rehab starts and every indication he was wanted back and then poof see-ya is totally classless.
Come out and admit it. They played Glavine as an insurance policy until they felt certain Hanson was ready.
Not that Glavine never played the Braves – but two wrongs dont make a right
Classless way to handle a legitimate albeit tricky-to-execute-well move by what has become a classless organization
Fire Frank Wren
June 4th, 2009
2:23 pm
The only person more incompetent at his job than MB is Frank Wren.
Stephen
June 4th, 2009
2:26 pm
I, for one, don’t understand all the folks that are so disappointed in what the Braves organization needed to do. Glavine left for NY to get paid (financial decision) so what if now the Braves need to make a financial decision based on his perceived potential effectiveness as a major league pitcher after rehab. If he still has anything left, some other team will gladly pick him up and he’ll get paid….so chill!!!!
CaptainCrunch
June 4th, 2009
2:37 pm
The only way that Glavine should have been treated the way he was treated by the Braves is if his name was Roger Clemens or if the Braves were suspicious of Glavine taking steriods. Since Glavine has been squeaky clean for 22 years, and has had an impeccable, absolutely steller, phenominal career, not to mention the Cy Young awards, world series MVP and everything, how could this happen to someone who has had such a glorious career. The Braves are a classless organization and will reap what they sew in the years to come.