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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
518 comments Add your comment
PN
June 3rd, 2009
10:48 pm
From a player/team perspective do I like the move? Absolutely. I have never been a Tom Glavine fan, I thought him leaving in 2002 was a plus for the Braves as he was about to decline (which he did), and I wasn’t particularly thrilled to see him back this season. That said, Frank Wren has turned this into a classless organization with absolutely no loyalty whatsoever. I think in today’s game when there isn’t much loyalty to begin with, there are certain players you just have to be loyal to. John Smoltz. Chipper Jones. Tom Glavine. I don’t know the drama from 2002, whose fault it was, who returned or didn’t return call, etc, but the point is, the Braves acted totally classless. They signed him and told him to rehab, and if he can, he WILL pitch for the Braves. His velocity is down? Anyone who has followed the Braves know that Tom Glavine has NEVER EVER relied on velocity. He’s in the high 70’s low 80’s now? Who gives a rip, he pitched 6 scoreless last night against competent hitters. Am I glad to see Glavine go, yes, but do I think Frank Wren is relative scum, yep. Go Braves. Good luck to Glavine and Smoltzy, and will anyone be surprised when Chipper is giving the kick to the rear pretty soon, for “performance” issues? I’m so shocked to hear that players don’t want to come play for Atlanta anymore, really.
hanson
June 3rd, 2009
10:48 pm
glavine made his money and had a chance to compete for a job.
smoltz
June 3rd, 2009
10:49 pm
come on over to boston they throw away money like crazy over here.
brent
June 3rd, 2009
10:49 pm
Frank Wren is not the smartest GM…you can fire GM’s and this should be a topic to watch the next few months…THEY PAY HUGE money for Chipper to come back and he is in and out fo the lineup..he has been great but he cant play to the level he once did, yes last year was great..he is good when he is in there but he is breaking down from all his pushing himself and wont contribute for the length he is still here..money saved if u ddint renew him past this seasona nd could have used him as a huge bargain chip when we fall out of contention
Tom Glavine may have declined but eh tried to come back and pitch for an organization…that is wrong to skimp like that. yes Hanson should be here but not at this expense…Bad move and I know Glavine left and soem are resentful fo that but he came back to pitch for the team and worked hard through an injury like the class act he is…only to be told to do this or that…CLASSLESS…You have KK picthign not well and signed to too much money..,Wren couldnt get the players like peavy and others in OF..he had a bad run producer still in Franceour….I am starting to wonder what the true direction fo the Braves is and I became a fan 29 years ago when we stunk and am trying to hold out hope..
The McClouth addition is good but like Buck Showalter just said he isnt totally a proven commodity but is an upgrade…But giving up Gorkys was wrong the others were fine..why didnt u give them franceour instead.
Wren is tryign to succeed but he isnt worth a darn in my book…garrett Anderson then Bobby Abreu….
Yes u have to save money yes u have to do this and that….but Wren is not picking wise yet and has to turn it around quick or kick him to the curb
Paul From Milton
June 3rd, 2009
10:50 pm
I love the McLouth trade. He is an excellent all-around player whose offense will only improve with Chipper and McCann protecting him in the lineup. Now go get us a second baseman and two more outfielders and let’s make a run at the division title.
NORRIS
June 3rd, 2009
10:50 pm
hey PN chipper has already got his contract. he will be here till his big toe falls off
Voice of Reason
June 3rd, 2009
10:52 pm
Paul Lentz,
It’s obvious to me that you’re making entirely too much sense for the sentimental folks that think Tommy G was wronged. I, like you, thought that the Glavine signing shouldn’t have taken place in the first place. Any professional org that pins its hopes on a 40-something year old is an org that is in deep trouble. Rehabbing against A-ball competition isn’t really getting one ready for the jump to the Bigs. Starting pitching isn’t the problem with this Brave’s team. Glavine should be thanking the Braves org for providing him with the opportunity to rehab his injured worn out self. It would have been classless to cut him when he got injured.
jen
June 3rd, 2009
10:54 pm
As we all must face as we get older, time to move on is a fact of life. To Glavine and Smolzie, thank you and goodbye. My favorite sports moment was at Fulton County Stadium, Game 7 of the 1992 playoffs when Sid Bream scored the winning run. It was magic and I am so glad I was there. But…please Glavine and Smotlz quit describing yourselves and your abilities as if you were life saving neurologists. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Adios.
hanson
June 3rd, 2009
10:55 pm
players will want to play in atlanta again. this ball club is taking the form of a good team. wren knows the game.
-SMOLTZ GONE WE GET LOWE
-GLAVINE GONE WE GET MCcLOUTH
BraveCat
June 3rd, 2009
10:56 pm
To Paul Lentz………….you said it perfect!!! I am so happy with these moves!! Especially the with Glavine move. Welcome to Atlanta, Nate McClouth!!
Voice of Reason
June 3rd, 2009
10:57 pm
For the rest of the folks that like to toss the Chipper Jones argument out their regarding his pay and his injuries…..last time I looked he was the National League batting CHAMPION last year and one of 2 consistently steady offensive threats, along with McCann, that the Braves can trot out onto the field.
Woody Woodward
June 3rd, 2009
11:00 pm
Great news. The Bravos gave Glavine a shot even though he was a hurtin’ forty-three year old pitcher. Forty-three. Years old. Not even a knuckleballer. This is time to give the rock to the young arms.
Good move on McLouth, too. Schaeffer needs seasoning–too many whiffs. The move should also help Frenchy relax at the plate; he may even see better pitches.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Shuerholz was in the shadows calling the shots on this one.
Paulie
June 3rd, 2009
11:00 pm
Sentiment has no place in baseball anymore when the average salary is $1M. There is a reason why the Red Sox let Pedro go after they wone the World Series. Wren made great moves today (and this is coming from a Mets fan).
PS. I’ll take him over Omar Minaya any day of the week.
brent
June 3rd, 2009
11:03 pm
glavine deserves a office job with the Braves..will he want it after this..I dont think so…I am sad wren is spending money but he gave Chipper too much on hsi extension would have went less with age and injury problems..but we had cash for Chipper..and he will be a Mike Hampton for us and we have to pay the bill…
Not keeping Texeria and trading Andrus and others was utterly stupid…so Frank Wren has talent yes and that will make hima better GM btu makign other moves others then the talent in place he has to get wiser and make better moves and quit screwing up…
Yes Morale and wanting to come to Atlanta isnt what it once was..and yes the Braves will get better with their young farm kids..but u cant keep putting blemish on the braves image if u want to do well on field..in revenues WREN, and u have to quit riding off good talent to show u think u know what the Bleep u are doing because You havent measured up in 2 years…so u have a longer time to try and make yourself a name as a GM wren and it wont happen until after this season and may never be your time either so dont get too cocky thinking u can be a John Scherhoultz….U maybe a GM in title but u have to earn your title and money and get a D in my book for last 2 years of your service and people in ownership should be watching your deals more and putting more heat on u…If u were a yankee GM and dissing old tiem greats Steinbrenner’s qucik hook would have taken care of u by now…but their is southern hospitality in the south and they are putting up with u patiently thinking u knwow hat u are doing..SOME TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP WREN AND BE MORE CLASSFUL AND NOT TARNISH THE GRETA BRAVE image the last decade or so has worked hard to retain for a good franchise
hf2
June 3rd, 2009
11:05 pm
I bet none of you guys who hate Bobby Cox can every be a coach of any thing in atlanta you jerks.
brent
June 3rd, 2009
11:06 pm
yes Chipper is good when he is on the field but is breakign downa nd we could ahve used that money better in the future..we have too many holes to fill thanks to Wren and Mr. Jeff Franceour stinking up the place
hf2
June 3rd, 2009
11:07 pm
good going frank wren keep doing the job you have been doing.
P Rose
June 3rd, 2009
11:07 pm
When Glavine bolted for the Mets, many supported him: this is a “business,” they said, and he had no obligation to be loyal to the Braves, their fans or the city of Atlanta. Well, it works both ways. The Braves have no obligation to be loyal to Glavine, either. It’s a business, remember?
hf2
June 3rd, 2009
11:07 pm
i bet you can do any better than chipper or frenchy
Will
June 3rd, 2009
11:08 pm
Grab hold of this for those of you who are crying foul. Tom Glavine was given an opportunity by the Braves to get himself back in pitching shape. He says he has done that but come on seriously, do you thing Class A is the ultimate test. Anyway, if the Braves hadn’t given him the chance to rehab at their expense then who else would have. Now they are giving him a chance to catch on with a club that might get a few innings out of him. Still at their expense really. I think in all fairness he has gotten something out of this deal with Atlanta. If no rehab-no possibility to pitch anywhere. Quit crying and for once look at what was done rather than what wasn’t.
hf2
June 3rd, 2009
11:08 pm
and it would stink up the place even more
dl
June 3rd, 2009
11:08 pm
When Tom bolted for New York after the loyalty he was shown previously, he did it for his own benefit ( It’s his right) Now that the Braves released him before shelling out 1 million, it’s for the teams benefit (also the teams right) Tom has more money than all of us posters combined! So he’ll be alright. The Braves did what they had to do. Tom pitched one hell of a game for Atlanta back in 1995, and Atlanta rewarded him hansomely for a long time. Have a nice life.
Rickster
June 3rd, 2009
11:09 pm
I agree with you Braves Fan…”The best 25 players will be on the field. Don’t get me wrong, I am a Glavine fan, but I am also a Braves fan. I want to win. Period.”
As a business, trying to be as profitable and accomodating to its clients (we fans), you want to offer the best product. The Braves had no intention of doing Glavine wrong; it was a matter of what was in the best interest for the organization, and after accessing his minor league rehab it was determined that he no longer had good enough stuff to help the Braves organization become the stronger, possible playoff team, that so many fans are hoping for. And I can pretty much bet that all the true Braves fans on the blogs are looking for the Braves to win!
Thank you Tom Glavine for everything you have given us; especially game 6 of the ‘95 Series.
hf2
June 3rd, 2009
11:09 pm
Enter your comments here
brian
June 3rd, 2009
11:09 pm
All these people are whining about Glavine – be realistic and stop looking through your FANactic googles. Respect? Why does Glavine deserve respect? He left for the Mets – the Mets!! I wish that we would have said no thank you to him last year. Glav is 43 years old and is just coming back from an injury – use common sense. Glav doesn’t give the Braves the best chance to win. Yes, he was a great player in his first round as a Brave, but people have realize that great memories don’t win games. The same principal is for Smoltz – if anyone was disrespected, it was the Braves. – I thought that Smoltz was a standup guy, but he came across as being a whiny brat when FW decided not to offer him a huge contract. In regards to Glav and Smoltz, why should FW give big bucks to old, coming of surgery players? Let them go somewhere else that has deeper pockets and are true competitors – not somewhere that is trying to build a team to compete against NY and Philly. To all the Glav and Smoltz were disrespected ppl, walk over to your wall of Smoltzy and Tommy collectables, and realize that there is a reason that fan is short for fanactic.
Cool Kat
June 3rd, 2009
11:10 pm
You guys are dense. Glavine is past his prime and has been for quite a while. The minor league guys hit some nice hard ones against him. Let him go out to pasture. Maybe they will let him pull the team wagon on parade day. Next stop – the glue factory.
Darrin "The Vent King"
June 3rd, 2009
11:11 pm
All good things must come to end…thanks for the memories and the ‘95 World Series MVP effort. You’ll be missed.
I'm Done
June 3rd, 2009
11:11 pm
I’m done with the Braves. I’ve been a fan since the early 80’s. I flew home from school for many games in the 90’s. My family and I attend numerous games each year. I have maintained stupid superstitions because I thought if I watched the t.v. in a certain room or sat in a certain position that the Braves would win. I watched through the 12th inning last night and was thrilled when the Braves won. I did not watch tonight. I will not watch any time in the foreseeable future and will not buy any more tickets this year. It is disgraceful to put a future Hall of Famer through months of rehab and minor league rehab starts and then unceremoniously give him his walking papers when he reports for duty back in the bigs. No class Braves. Not the organization I used to love.
P
June 3rd, 2009
11:12 pm
I think Wren is pushing some good buttons. McLouth should be a great addition. Diaz, Anderson, and Kotchman are starting to hit the ball well. If Chipper and McCann stay healthy this team should be in it till the end. They could win this division and certainly have to be a favorite at the wild card. It will hinge on the pitching and now there will be a lot of pressure on Hansen to perform.
BUT…If this team now finishes poor with a losing record and out of the playoffs Wren will probably never live it down.
I hope Glavine lands somewhere but he probably won’t unless he is willing to play for minimum salary with big incentives.
Cool Kat
June 3rd, 2009
11:15 pm
**I’m Done** Boo hoo. We don’t need crybaby fans. We need fans that want to win!
Frank Wren
June 3rd, 2009
11:15 pm
The Braves have decided to sign Greg Maddox to a two-year deal.
Oh wait, on second thought, he’s fired. It’ll make us a better ball club.
EdtheMan
June 3rd, 2009
11:16 pm
As bad as I hate to say it, Tom Glavine should see that his time has come. If he went on the 25 man roster and took the place of a pitcher like Tommy Hanson it would be selfish on Glavine’s part. I know he stillwants to pitch, but so does most guys to play in the bigs. It’s hard to accept that he had a great career, but it’s time to move over and make room for the young kids who give the Braves a better chance of winning. As far as McClouth, this one is a steal, a no brainer. The Pirates continue to give away their best players. I would hate to be a Pirate fan.
alsim
June 3rd, 2009
11:16 pm
Tom, please retire so you and Maddux can enter Cooperstown together!
.
Mark Bradley
June 3rd, 2009
11:16 pm
Headed home now. Added a postgame quote from Chipper that seemed both poignant and apt. Would also note that Bobby Cox seemed close to tears when talking about Glavine.
Anybody want anything from Taco Bell?
Cool Kat
June 3rd, 2009
11:18 pm
Tom Glavine has one foot in the Brave – oops, I mean grave.
Cool Kat
June 3rd, 2009
11:18 pm
Chalupa here.
Cool Kat
June 3rd, 2009
11:21 pm
He and Smoltzy are talking on the phone right now, bad mouthing the Braves.
Frank Wren
June 3rd, 2009
11:23 pm
Mark Bradley, get me a 10 pack (5 hard, 5 soft) and some scotch.
And not the cheap stuff you drink.
Andy
June 3rd, 2009
11:23 pm
I live up in Spokane, Washington but have been following the Braves since I was a kid and they were on TBS all the time and losing over 100 games a year back in the 80’s, and they are my second favorite team, after my Seattle Mariners (by the way thanks for HoRam – what a crappy waste of space he was). When I saw the scroll at the bottom of the screen on ESPN saying the Braves cut Glavine, I yelled out “What the fu*k are they doing down there?” But then I saw they traded for McLouth and brought up Hanson, I was saying, “FU*K YEA!!!!! AWESOME MOVES!!!!” I will always love Glavine for all he has done for this team, but this article is dead on, it was time for him to go, hate to say it, but he should have retired when he left the Mets. Go Braves!!!
Neil
June 3rd, 2009
11:24 pm
It’s as if, in an instant, the Braves began making sense to me again today. Hanson is definitely the man for the No. 5 job, McClouth is a great ball player who will do worlds of good for this struggling lineup – for several more years – and Tom Glavine – as he proved last season – is no longer Major League material. That, coupled with the clutch performance by Frenchy and Chipper last night, has me feeling pretty good about this team. It also has me feeling pretty good about Frank Wren.
edward
June 3rd, 2009
11:27 pm
They may have been A-ballers, but they are still somewhere we aren’t…the minors playing ball. before you say these guys(kids) aren’t that good remember that McCann came from AA-ball. A is above rookie which is above college, which is above all of us so 6 scoreless innings is still better than what we could do. And this from a person about to join a 38+ baseball league as a pitcher!
Not everyone moves up and falls off to the side just because they are in the low minors. Give them credit for busting their tails and playing the dream. They make nothing and live 6 deep in a 3 bedroom apt most times.
Glavine got them out because he is a crafty pitcher. maybe now that they know what is ahead of them they work harder and make it. All Glavine needed was to get his location down and he felt he did. Did he deserve a shot back with the team? Maybe for one start or 2. It just would have been good to see them at least keep the promise they made intact.
And who will ever know what the guns really read? Knuckleballs don’t move in the 80’s either and the location isn’t always pretty but Wakefield has stayed awhile. 2Mil to let the guy retire on his own is not much considering what teams get these days for not much in return. We all knew Hanson was coming up anyway this month.
But it’s done and good luck to you Tommy.
In a month we’ll all be talking about Frenchy rumours.
Drew
June 3rd, 2009
11:28 pm
In reality, they should have given Glavine the option to retire at the end of last season. If he made the effort to rehab and was doing a decent job in the minor leagues, they should have brought him up out of courtesy and given him 3 starts. If he faltered and showed that on the MLB level that he didn’t have it, they could have shut him down and brought up Hanson.
The way this was done was pretty crude. The Red Sox are giving Smoltz basically all year to rehab and see if he can fill the #4 or #5 role, and he’ll probably be up after the All-Star Break. At least Glavine should have had the chance to rehab and show if he could still be a starter who could go 6 innings and give up 3 runs to give the Braves’ anemic offense a boost.
McLouth will help, but they need more offense. This is a mixed but mostly negative day for the Braves. Wren should have done this a lot more tactfully.
Kevin
June 3rd, 2009
11:29 pm
Another classless move by this floundering organization. I don’t question the move if you feel the young guys will help you win more games, it’s the way they went about it. Sending Glavine on a charade of a rehab schedule only to tell him he’s done after pitching in Gwinnett and Rome. This guy has done way too much for this team to be treated in such an embarrasing manner! Some people say well he left for the Mets. Yes he did after the franchise nickel and dimed him in the same manner they did Smoltz this past off season. He answered the call every fifth day for years for this team pitching his butt off and being just as reliable off the field and in the community, he deserved better. Put Kawakami in the bullpen and let Glavine pitch in his spot.
The Mcclouth trade would never be neccessary if Wren hadn’t of shipped Anderson to Det so Schaffer could start opening day. I agree MCclouth is a good player but the team gave up alot to get him.
Rufus
June 3rd, 2009
11:30 pm
Everything has to come to an end.
I'm Done
June 3rd, 2009
11:30 pm
“Cool Kat” (doubtful): Given your comments, I think you are more of a Glavine hater than a Braves fan. That said, this is not just about whether or not Glavine could help the team right now. It is about the way they let him go. The way they handled it is embarrassing and low class.
Chuck Uga
June 3rd, 2009
11:31 pm
They should have brought him back, let him pitch some middle relief or something. Anything to let him pitch a bit more before he retires.
I look VERY forward to some sort of Tom Glavine Day and John Smoltz Day, not to mention a Greg Maddux Day. My gosh we’ve been blessed. It’s a shame that it’s all over. I want to see their pictures and images on the stadium. We will never see this kind of pitching on one team again (especially the Braves).
Sad Braves Fan
June 3rd, 2009
11:32 pm
If you want to look at today’s actions by the Braves involving Glavine and the trade as a strictly business/baseball deal, then they probably improved the team overall. What makes true fans of the pure game of baseball sad is that character qualitites like integrity and honor that used to be words that described the Braves organization have vanished as quickly as some of the players those words described. I find it interesting that the arrival of Frank Wren as GM seems to coincide with this change, but that’s another topic for another day. Loyalty, mentoring of younger players, and all the other intangibles that help make a team united have been replaced by the bottom line. When you see a respected future hall of famer treated in such a way, how could you fully relax and play for the sheer joy of the privilege to do so knowing you always had to watch your back? Baseball, like the rest of the world, has moved past its glory days and it’s sad to watch it happen.
BigHittas
June 3rd, 2009
11:33 pm
Glavs!
My most favorite Brave ever!
Good Luck Tom!!! Wish it had worked out.
Tom Glavine
June 3rd, 2009
11:33 pm
Suckers.
Chuck Uga
June 3rd, 2009
11:34 pm
Glavine at least could close a game occasionally UNLIKE JEFF “CHOKE” BENNETT and that BUDDY “SINGLE A” CARLYLE. What a joke.