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
edward
June 3rd, 2009
9:56 pm
FIRE PENDLETON AND HIRE CHIPPERS DAD!!!!!!!
Bobby Cox is DONE!!!!!!
June 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
Of course you bunt there. What was he thinking? Worst case is that you have Chipper up with 2 outs.
That is a rudimentary baseball move. I am sure that any of dads down at the local 12 year old league would have played it right, yet we keep getting fed the line that Bobby Cox is a great manager. Are you kidding me?
He is a joke. What was he doing? What was he doing?
NORRIS
June 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
I am glad we made the trade. You play to win now. The braves have been talking about next year for to long now.
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Hell, Edward— Fire TP AND Cox and hire CHIPPER. Jake Taylor style
Paul Lentz
June 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Edward, no team, the Pirates included, is going to accept Jeff Franceour in any trade. If the Braves were to cut him…then sure, I could see some team giving him the minimum salary and giving him a chance. However, with what he will be asking for in salary arbitration next year, no team is going to want him at that price.
So getting on Frank Wren for not doing the impossible (trading Franceour) is not fair.
I do have to correct myself. The only possible bad contract after this season on the books is Kawakami. He’ll be owed approximately $7.5 mil in both 2010 and 2011. However, he still has the potential to make the adjustments to become a good pitcher. He’s 2 months into his first season. He has shown that he can make some quality starts. He just needs to be more consistent. However his contract could turn out to be a bargain. Still, if he becomes a bust, it wont be at the prices that the Braves paid Smoltz, Glavine, or Hampton in 2008, nor the $15.5 mil the Braves are paying Hudson this year. The book is still out on Kawakami.
Father of 5
June 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Classless, classless move. Typical of everything Wren does.
Wren made his mistake when he signed Glavine, then compounded it exponentially with this. Wren needs to look up the work icon and think about what it means to fans.
As for the trade, Wren was behind it, so I can guarantee he gave away too much. Mc might have “upside” – but who would be he turns into another Kotchman. Any of 10,000 fantasy leaguers knew the Braves had no power and no speed this year, but Wren offered his famous “we’ll hit a lot of doubles” rationale. And people bought it. MY FAMILY WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER TICKET AS LONG AS THE PROVEN LOSER WREN REMAINS GM.
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Pretend- ur a broken record. We got a stud CF with pop and gave up a guy who was never going to play with us to get him. Move on.
kjb
June 3rd, 2009
10:01 pm
I will always be a braves fan til the day i leave here, but Frank Wren give these young guys a chance before you go trading them away (meaning Gorkys). Remember the Texas trade, we might have gave away superstar in Gorkys Hernandez, but I’m going to be patient and see how all of this pans out for the future. By the way Nate McClouth is a good player but he is another left handed hitter (too many of them already). We already have Heyward and Freeman coming up for the future and guest what, they are left handed hitters. As for Tom Glavine, he will always be a brave in my book with or without the braves.
Louis
June 3rd, 2009
10:02 pm
are we going to face the same situation when Hudson gets off the DL?
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:03 pm
that 3-2 riding fast ball to chipper was disgusting
Atl Resident
June 3rd, 2009
10:05 pm
What in the heck does TP got to do with this Glavine issue? I guess he is reason Chipper been hurt too. Stop blaming him for all batting issues, there is no excuse cause these guys make too much money and they need to make plays regardless. For money Chipper makes and cries Franceour makes, these guys need to score runs, every day and night.
YoungerThanThatNow
June 3rd, 2009
10:05 pm
Wes… true, the organization didn’t have a radar gun at the ballpark that publicly showed pitch speeds. There were several radar guns in use by scouts and the 83-86 MPH reports were very generous. He never broke 80 MPH, from a reliable scout who was very much hoping that his gun was broken… it wasn’t.
Bobby Cox is DONE!!!!!!
June 3rd, 2009
10:08 pm
Hey look, now we are wasting our bullpen and we do not have many bench players left.
Guess why? Dumbass Bobby Cox didn’t bunt the leadoff man over in the bottom of the 9th. He could have bunted with Mike Gonzalez and saved Garrett Anderson’s bat for later.
It would have also put a man in scoring position for Blanco and Chipper. Instead, we put in some kid who has never been in the majors who got caught stealing after Anderson flied out.
BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD BASEBALL! Cox SUCKS!
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:08 pm
No, young, there wasn’t a single gun in the park. The “reports” say that “glavine felt like he was throwing as ‘hard’ as he was in his last start.” 83mph is not major leagues for him anymore. We got to see last year what he can do with 83mph stuff…….and he stole 8 mill from us.
Clayton
June 3rd, 2009
10:08 pm
Fact of the matter is whether it was money or not is that if Hanson is going to give us a chance to pitch better than they made the right move. And remember If Jordan and Frenchy werent struggling so much, they may not have to cut Glavine to trade for another bat, esp a CF. And they still maybe a bat short.
MichiganJeff
June 3rd, 2009
10:10 pm
Great move by the braves. Good head & good Class. If the Braves had released Tommy a few weeks ago, he would have to convince people to give him a chance but they let him get ready before letting him go. Now Tommy can go get another job pretty easily while the Braves improve themselves as well. It’s a win win situation. They basically let Tommy use their minors as a training camp. Tommy should thank the Braves.
NORRIS
June 3rd, 2009
10:11 pm
Father of five… You really need to think more into the story line here. Glavine isnt ready. They watched him and he cant do it. They told him that he just didnt have it. They tell him to retire and do it as a brave. But he wants to try and pitch still so we release him.
we cant afford to allow him on the mound and him turn around and then quit. we need players and if he steps on that mound we owe him millions just for the contract agreement.
if they keep making moves. I might want to try and go back to a game.
Glavine is a money man. It was all about the money when he went to the mets and it was about the money now.
NORRIS
June 3rd, 2009
10:14 pm
Todays moves were the best I have seen Wrenn make yet. GREAT JOB!
Paul Lentz
June 3rd, 2009
10:14 pm
Reid Adair…..I did not want the Braves to sign Smoltz either. However, I do understand what Wren was trying to do. He wanted to do the same thing with Smoltz that he did with Glavine. However Boston was foolish enough to offer Smoltz $5.5 mil guaranteed.
I understand Frank Wren having to placate many of you sentimental Braves fans with a “song and dance” about making an effort to make it look like he was trying to sign Smoltz. But it would not have been a smart thing economically for the Braves to do. I’m glad that Smoltz left.
How can you say that the Braves off season went “poorly”? Were there speed bumps along the way? Sure. But how can you say that adding Lowe and Vazquez to the starting rotation is a bad thing? It isnt how you start…it’s how you finish is what matters. You cannot blame Frank Wren on what happened with Furcal and Burnett. They werent serious about signing with the Braves. Some of you want to talk about “class”, how was what Furcal’s agent did “classy”? It’s a dog eat dog world. Professional sports is a cutthroat business. Remember that.
Kawakami may not be a “stud” right now. However he is getting into the 6th and 7th innings consistently….in other words he is not a strain on the bullpen. That in itself means a lot.
Garrett Anderson may have gotten off to a slow start, however he is starting to heat up. Besides, his contract of $2 mil is very team friendly.
And acquiring McClouth is a big move. Some of you guys must be smoking some serious bad shyt if you guys believe that the Braves are worse off than last year. Is this a finished product? Of course not. However, we are much better off than last year.
Unknown
June 3rd, 2009
10:15 pm
Bennett in to blow the game.
Willy from Filly
June 3rd, 2009
10:17 pm
here comes another loss to a .500 team at home that should have been a win. What a season this COULD have been.
YoungerThanThatNow
June 3rd, 2009
10:17 pm
Wes… I think we’re trying to make the same point on Glavine’s situation last night and last year. But there were at least three guns in the park last night regardless of what was reported.
If Glavine’s six innings (regardless of number of pitches) had been in Atlanta last night instead of in Rome, the Cubs would have had 20 runs by the time the six innings were over. And for that reason, Glavine was given the “opportunity” to retire or be released. I think he should have retired and saved himself the heartache and embarassment that is sure to come if he pitches to major league hitters again.
Jay
June 3rd, 2009
10:19 pm
Pitching is weak enough in the majors that Glavine is likely to make it somewhere.
MB – any idea who would want a 43 year old lefty coming off major surgery who’s old team says 85mph is a pipe dream?
Whether Glavine signs somewhere quickly will tell you if he still has anything left in the tank. I want the team to win, and McClouth adds a solid bat and defense to the outfield, for 4 years, and Hanson is who we have all been wanting to see. You guys remember what Charlie Morton did last year? Nothing. He has potential, but when given an extended chance to demonstrate it, he didn’t.
If the Braves could find a left coast team that wants Kawakami, I’d love to see him go. Any chance the Dodgers or Angels might be interested?
Hate to see Glavine go, and it’s sad he didn’t get to prove whether he has it still in a Braves uniform, but, it’s time to move on.
Willy from Filly
June 3rd, 2009
10:20 pm
You know you have a strong defensive outfield when DEREK LEE tags up from first to second on a pop up
Reid Adair
June 3rd, 2009
10:23 pm
Paul Lentz, I never said I thought Smoltz should have stayed. I said Frank Wren shouldn’t have lied.
There’s no way for you, I or anyone outside of the folks directly involved to know what really happened with Rafael Furcal or A.J. Burnett. I don’t think Furcal’s agent has an ounce of class, but I also have doubts that the Braves organization is as “innocent” in that fiasco as they would have everyone believe.
I am not concerned about “team friendly” contracts as much as I would like to see acquisitions that help the organization WIN games.
I never said acquiring McClouth wasn’t a big move, and I also never said that the Braves are worse off than last year.
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:25 pm
And now that we know you’re a 6 year old who dreams of being a cuban immigrant……..the conversation with you is over.
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:26 pm
I think Dereck Lee just tagged up on another foul pop up lol. And someone said Diaz was a solid outfielder.
TOWNER
June 3rd, 2009
10:27 pm
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
9:36 pm
Bobby Cox left Reyes in the rotation. Bobby and Bobby alone. Haha, you glavine lovers REALLY are idiots. Lowe, Vasquez, Jurrgens, Hanson, Hudson, Medlen, Kowakami……….and GLAVINE. Seems one of those names doesn’t fit. You tell me which one it
ANSWER – WES
randyarnold
June 3rd, 2009
10:27 pm
Mark’s right: Time waits for no man. Thanks Glavine. Please retire and go into the Hall of Fame with Maddux.
Plate Appearance
June 3rd, 2009
10:28 pm
NOT THE RIGHT TIME
No, it wasn’t the RIGHT time. And it wasn’t the RIGHT move.
And I might add that the word “right” certainly has a moral component to its meaning.
Tom deserved the opportunity to pitch, after all his hard work and successful efforts toward coming back. He clearly wasn’t treated in the RIGHT way — that is, in a righteous way.
He was deceived and led to think that he would soon be making a start with the Braves — of the Atlanta variety. And make no mistake about it, we fans were similarly deceived.
And if deception was taking place — and indeed it was — then there has to be a deceiver behind it. There is.
This deception has a name: Frank Wren!
Unknown
June 3rd, 2009
10:30 pm
Braves back at .500. Bennett blew it. 5.5 games back.
NORRIS
June 3rd, 2009
10:30 pm
And bennett loses another game for us…
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:30 pm
We make fun of Glavine, but the Braves just got worked by a lefty who can’t reach 90 and Kevin Gregg.
Coach (Moon Pie , Anyone?)
June 3rd, 2009
10:31 pm
I applaud Frank Wren. He made an incredibly difficult decision. But it had to be made and for several reasons.
Tommy Hanson could not be allowed to molder in the minors any longer. He is ready.
Unfortunately, Tommy Glavine was in the way and like Wren said, the Braves are committed to winning as evidenced by the trade for Nate McLouth.
Tonight’s 3-2 loss notwithstanding, this is a far different Braves team than the one we saw just twenty-four hours ago. They have actually have chance to compete now.
Wes
June 3rd, 2009
10:32 pm
Towner, I haven’t laughed that hard since at least 10:31. Thanks for that knee slapper.
Ripped again.
June 3rd, 2009
10:33 pm
You don’t treat people like s*** and think your going get away with it ..Big Frank going have someone tell him he’s not good enough anymore eand he’s going be shown the door Karma got love it !
NORRIS
June 3rd, 2009
10:34 pm
plate appearance…
You must not forget that we dont know the whole story. Glavine may have known the whole time. You just dont know.
But you also have to realize. The braves have to make the moves to help the team.
Glavine said it best when he left. “its a business”
edward
June 3rd, 2009
10:34 pm
I know but it would have been nice to have kept Gorkys and gotten rid of Frenchy. Kawakami is going to be a good pitcher this year. He still is adjusting to life here and that can play a part. I think he is a decent 4th starter for us right now. He does all you ever expect from that spot.
I do not believe in the fire Cox crap. I like TP as a player but a hitting coach??? Come on now! I am still suspect of McDowell only because of all the arm problems lately.
No, before anyone says it, I am NOT comparing them to Leo or anybody else from the 90’s. Leo had way better to work with than McDowell. I just think the conditioning could be done a little better. We can go 10years with no major problems with our pitchers but we can’t go a season without losing 2 to Tommy John?
I never expected Wren to be like JS, but I never dreamed it would get this bad with the deals. McClouth notwithstanding. That was a robbery in progress with a gun of soap. I applaud that one.
JD
June 3rd, 2009
10:34 pm
To everyone calling the Braves “classless” – this is a baseball team…a business. Not an episode Barney. The objective is to put the best team out there and make sure that it makes financial sense. Not to make everybody feel good about themselves.
It doesn’t make sense to bring back Glavine when there are a lot of better options.
mrs. p
June 3rd, 2009
10:35 pm
wow – Tom, you are a class act and a wonderful & giving person. Although you rocked on the field, your best work is in helping all the people you do by lending your name, time and energy. God will continue to bless you and we, our whole town of ALPHARETTA, wish you nothing but the best.
Mark
June 3rd, 2009
10:35 pm
Glavine showed no loyalty to the Braves when he left for NY and deserved no loyalty in return. He made big $ last year and did not produce (Hampton script). If he was a horse he would be taken behind the barn and shot. He has a lame arm and is washed up. He would have been savaged by major league hitters with his 70 MPH fastball if he was allowed to pitch. It is just about the money now for Glavine. He can’t quit gracefully, with some dignity. He needs to pad his retirement some more. He will leave Atl and his family for a few more $. Quite the measure of his manhood.
Let’s face it, the Braves need to rebuild and cannot compete with the elite teams. Great move, so long Tom.
don pardo
June 3rd, 2009
10:36 pm
This is the same GM who left Jo-Jo Reyes in the starting rotation for nearly two years. This is the same GM who was the primary factor in the numerous off-season free-agent negotiation failures between last year and this year.
Reid Adair what in the world are you talking about.
“He left Jo Jo Reyes in the rotation for 2 years”. Not his call, that’s the managers call.
“numerous off-season free-agent negotiation failures” what failures? Peavy rejected the Braves. Furcal’s agent used the Braves. A.J. Burnett took more money (and we are glad he did) Ken Griffy Jr. approached the Braves then changed his mind out loyalty, hardly Wrens fault,
and not big loss. What about trading a shortstop we did not need and his best years behind for a future #1 starter and a top outfield prospect.
If Smolz had wanted to stay he had the chance the Braves just were not going to pay him 15 mil again for less than 10 starts. Galvine, Brave’s scouts did not believe he had major league, stuff, he getting a million going a way present ( 1 mill was guaranteed)
John
June 3rd, 2009
10:39 pm
Mrs P – well said. He is a class act and a good guy. Bad PR move, Bravos. He still had it in him – shouldhave given him a chance.
Only crybabies still harbor a grudge – hmmmmm, would we have a World Series title without him??? NOT
Reid Adair
June 3rd, 2009
10:42 pm
“Mark,” Glavine left in 2002 because 1) the Braves let the negotiations break down and 2) they were not willing to make the long-term commitment that the Mets were. The money was not the primary issue.
I have no idea where you get the impression that it’s all about the money for him now either. He said before he started rehab that if things didn’t go well and he couldn’t pitch at a competitive level, he would retire. I think he wanted a shot at facing Major League hitters. If it didn’t work, I have no reason to believe he wouldn’t have retired as he said.
NORRIS
June 3rd, 2009
10:43 pm
John… would we have a world series ring without him. Probably not.
But there comes a time to admit you cant play anymore.
We are trying to win here.
Ken Stallings
June 3rd, 2009
10:43 pm
Sounds like every scout, coach, and manager saw the same thing. It had to be a clear call to make this bold decision. Sorry Tommy, but it happens to everyone and nearly everyone it happens to believes it happens too soon. Like in the close of the movie, “… hangin’ ‘em up, for the good of the game!”
Bill Heller
June 3rd, 2009
10:44 pm
I BET GLAVINE SIGNS WITH THE PHILLIES!
JEFF
June 3rd, 2009
10:45 pm
when will this team LEAVE THE 500 BENCH… please win a game lose a game win lose a game.. come onn. this trade better help otherwise another baddd deall again by a braves GM..and I was at the rochester gwinnett game and OUR PAL jordan schafer went 0-5 with sac fly rbi including 2 k’s. he looked like a fool on those 2 k’s.. regarding tonights game AGAIN bennett loses the game and an error by escobar.. bobby please stop bringing in JEFF BENNETT when the game is tied… 2 games we have lost so far this week with him starting an inning and back to 500 .. get with it atlanta and this team is not yet viable and will not challenge for a playoff spot…
jim
June 3rd, 2009
10:46 pm
Frank Wren is a clown. Give Glavine Wren’s job!
hanson
June 3rd, 2009
10:47 pm
time for glavine to go. no way around, the braves have better arms and the braves gave him every chance to get healthier and better; now at least he can go and get a job with other team.
GREAT JOB WREN!!