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
No More Bobby
June 4th, 2009
1:21 am
I CANT WAIT TO SEE THIS HEADLINE FOR BOBBY COX!!!!!
No More Bobby
June 4th, 2009
1:25 am
ACE OF HEARTS – Glavine come back to haunt the Braves? Whats he going to do keep us out of third place? Woooooooooooooo.
Dawg19
June 4th, 2009
1:27 am
Paul, thanks for being a voice of reason interjected in the middle of all these bleading hearts.
I said it earlier that I was shocked by the Braves letting Glavine go. But that was only until I applied a little logic to the scenario. It is tough to see a sure fire, first round Hall of Fame pitcher let loose, especially one meant so much to the unprecidented run of success the Braves had in the 90’s and early 00’s. If you are still upset then you have to question your reason for being a Braves fan to begin with. How many of you out there, when making an important decision, go on sentimentality alone???
The silence is deafening.
The Braves other options for the 5th rotation spot, Hanson and Medlen, are both SO much better than Glavine.
I have read a lot of posts from folks who saw Glavine pitch last night against the Augusta Greenjackets. Many have raved about Glavines ability to still be able to get hitters out. Remember though folks, those players are in Low-A ball and are either fresh out of high school or college and are still making a HUGE adjustment to using wood bats for the first time. There were multiple plays made behind Glavine defensively that made his numbers so good. The left fielder making an over the shoulder running catch on the WARNING TRACK, the short stop making diving plays to his left and right and the play by Sumoza throwing the runner out at the plate. My point is there were a lot of VERY hard hit balls. Major league hitters would have tattood Glavine last night.
Yes, sentimentally I am sad to see Glavine go, but at the same time I am excited to see the Braves and the front office doing something to give this team a chance to win NOW.
patriots75
June 4th, 2009
1:30 am
Come on people, the same ones that are wanting to give Tom another chance are the same ones who called him a trader and every other name i want put on here, why does he deserve another chance just because he was the pitcher of record in the only title the Braves won he was a part of that night, if Justice doesn’t hit the home run we just may have never won the one title and i think they should have won more, time goes forward not in the past, it time for a new chapter, most of the people must not remember how bad we use to be and if they don’t go with the youth then we will be sure to continue to become closer to the pre 1991 Braves. If Tom has pitched his last game and what i saw in Rome i hope he walks away with a win,believe me he would not last long with the way those kids made contact and most were not just to young but never even born when he made his first major league start, just because he didnt give up a run can not paint the picture of his success, a runner was thrown out at the plate and many balls were hit very hard but right at some one, i wish Tommy a happy retirement,health and thanks for the memory of your career.
Paul Lentz
June 4th, 2009
1:30 am
You Tom Glavine supporters keep bring up Jamie Moyer, as if pitchers his age who are winning games is the norm. Here’s a news flash: There is a difference between the “exception” and the “rule”. Moyer is the “exception”. Tom Glavine nibbling and getting rocked when he has to come in is the “norm” for pitchers of his age who throw as soft as he does.
John Smoltz may well come back this year and pitch good for the Red Sox. However the Braves couldnt afford to knowingly pay a pitcher $5-6 mil, knowing that he was going to miss half the year. Hudson was hurt during his contract, so they have no choice but to pay him. However Smoltz was a free agent. It would have been foolish to sign him. The Red Sox can afford to have him waiting in the wings because they have all kinds of revenue coming in. But the Braves cant. Durability is the key. If Derek Lowe keeps pitching the way he has, and staying healthy like he has always been, then this contract will not end up being looked at as “overpaying”. At the end of 4 years, I’d like to see who has the better record, Lowe or Burnett. Imagine how much better the Mets or Phillies would be if they had outbid the Braves for Derek Lowe. Instead, the Mets paid big money to Oliver Perez. Both of those teams desperately need starting pitching. Our starters do not have a history of breaking down as the summer rolls along. Let’s see how other teams starting pitching health holds up.
Glavine will get a job with someone who will overpay for his services. And they will find out that he will tax their bullpen even more. So in essence, letting Glavine rehab in our minor league system, and “show casing” what he has left in the tank, may induce a team like the Mets or Phillies to pay him $3-4 mil to end up hurting them. So maybe this could end up helping the Braves in the long run. Do you guys remember how the Braves punished Glavine pretty much every time he pitched against us when he was with the Mets? I’d love to see an encore of that.
Mike
June 4th, 2009
1:33 am
I have lived in Atlanta all my life. A lot like the Phil Niekro situation. Glavine should be brought back when he decides to retire and given the opportunity to pitch a last game for the Braves with a grateful crowd. He built the braves, and I have been watching him for a long time. But just like me, he’s gotten older. He’s probably in better shape, but hard to compete with the 18-22 year old crowd.
Keith
June 4th, 2009
1:34 am
Glavine is 43, a professional ballplayer and a grown up. He knew the odds were against him. He knew that this could happen. His “successful” forced a very difficult decision on the Braves. Maybe if our CF, 2B, RF, 4 starter and relievers had performed as hoped then a sentimental short stint would have been fun. But this team is still in the hunt and with 4 months left, have a good chance to win. (Only because of our starters, set up and closer) This trade for McLouth and maybe one more will make these last 4 months worth watching instead of last years AAA callups and auditions. We assume the Braves did wrong to Glavine. I don’t think so but I am sorry to see him go. Good luck Hanson.
varodrunner
June 4th, 2009
1:35 am
You know the Glavine thing is a mute point. I have to agree with Wren, it was the best thing for the Braves. I salute Tommy for his gamesmanship and leadership through the years, but apparently his time had coem to an end. NOW, how about this, it’s
varodrunner
June 4th, 2009
1:39 am
(continued) It’s June 4th adn we are 5 games behind the world champions and we just traded AWAY a top pitching prospect and a top out fielder along with another pitcher for McLouth. Does this tell you where we expect to end up in the standings? I’m not feeling the warm fuzzies by this trade. We get McLouth and the Pirates get Morton, Gorkys, and the other guy. I am considering becoming a phillies fam. They seem to know how to WIN. Something the Braves have forgotten since JS left his post and gave it to Wren.
varodrunner
June 4th, 2009
1:48 am
to Paul
Cannot disagree with your post, I too have been a long time Braves fan, but I am in total disblief that the trade happened.
A 256 hitter is our answer? We traded away Mortin and Gorkys for McLouth? OMG!!!
I can only hope he can produce enough for what we gave up. I think Mr Wren should be selling GM cars right now. or Maybe Crysler’s. Just not the GM of the Atlanta Braves. Does he answer to anyone? Where the F is JS when we need himi? I’m pissed and hope McLouth makes me eat my words.
varodrunner
June 4th, 2009
1:50 am
Maybe Wren shoudll be reevaluated
Keith
June 4th, 2009
2:00 am
This trade will put the Braves in the hunt. One more may have them playing in October. We gave up Morton who may be at best a good 3. Locke could be a 2 but was at least 2 years away. Gorkys was showing promise as a prospect but had no home runs and the latest evals had him at least 2 years away. A lot of maybe’s for an allstar CF with power and speed, 27 with 4 years left on his contract. Call me a fool but we stole the guy.
ABravesFan
June 4th, 2009
2:09 am
I’m still shocked by this news even though I could see it coming for weeks now. Barring an injury to one of the SPs, Glavine wasn’t going to crack the now deep Braves rotation. I would love to see Tommy Glavine pitch and succeed (.500 record, ERA of 4) for half more year, but it’s not meant to be.
It’s a shame that the business side of baseball won today.
Buzzfan1936
June 4th, 2009
2:15 am
Glavine gave us great games & superb memories, but the odds were against his regaining the performance level he once had or that he would really help the Braves get into the playoffs. Yet he seemed to pitch well in his last game in the minors so I expected him to come back to the Braves. The professionals get paid big bucks to make these tough decisions & have more info than we do. Time will tell, If Glavine is given a shot elsewhere and does well, then we may question the decision.
Anyway, what’s done is done so let’s move on & pull for the Braves to win.
Bad call by the umps in tonight’s loss to the Cubs. Replay showed the Braves stole second but the runner was called out on a bang-bang play late in the game. It would have brought Chipper to the plate with 2 outs & a runner in scoring position which is what we wanted. Of course, they might have walked Chipper, but Kelley Johnson was hitting the ball well. As it was, Chipper had to lead off the next inning, tried to hit a home run & struck out instead. The Cubs scored the winning run in the next inning. Oh well.
anotherMark
June 4th, 2009
2:22 am
Sigh. And the Braves reveal they have no loyalty, no sense of how to handle a HOF player. I have been a fan of this team for most of my 31 years on this earth, and now I sadly saw I could care less what Frank Wren and this ownership group do. If this was a performace issue, then they should have sucked it up and let him get banged around for a start or two to hammer the point home. It’s not like we’re going to make the playoffs anyway. But no, this was about money, plain and simple. Now Glavine will not be able to retire a Brave, just like Smoltzie, just like Chipper sometime in the near future. Good luck, Tom, and from all of us true baseball fans, I am sorry.
atliving79
June 4th, 2009
3:18 am
There is absolutely nothing to be at all mad about! TG was a great pitcher for a long time and we appreciate all he did for the city but his time was over 5 years ago. He is no longer the same guy we want to remember from the 90’s. This is a business and I want to see the best players on the field and he isn’t one of them. As for the trade I like what the Braves did in getting McClouth because we all know we need all the help we can get. But with that I still do not think we will be a better team!!!!!! We have had three consecutive bad seasons and we basically have the same players! Time to retool the entire team from top to bottom. The Braves are weak, soft and nobody fears them anymore. Face it, they are a bad team with a bunch of utility players starting! Can’t wait for football season!!!!!!!!!!!
atliving79
June 4th, 2009
3:24 am
If the braves are in the releasing mood, then why won’t they let go of jo jo reyes! What does Bobby Cox see in this joker! Been wanting to say that for a long time.
.D-Nice
June 4th, 2009
3:40 am
Can someone tell Larry Orange that the best starter on the team is not D Lowe. That honor would belong to Jair (Jurgienns).
AS far as releasing Glavine you have to understand that they had to wait until he was healthy to do it. We have a logjam at pitching and someone will still be moved by the July trade deadline. Must you forget that one Tim Hudson is rehabbing and will be back to join the team which means that Vasquez or Medlen will be moved probably with either Brandon Jones or Jeff Francouer. My bet on this is that the Braves go to Boston and bring back JD Drew even though I dont agree with it or give Vasquez to the Yankees and get Melky Cabrera or Robinson Cano and if its Cano then Kelly Johnson also gets moved.
I have spoken now wait and see how accurate I am.
Mitch
June 4th, 2009
3:40 am
I hope that Tommy Hanson helps us right away. That having been said, the numbers, even for guys who became Hall of Famers someday, sometimes arent pretty.
A recently retired gentleman by the name of Gregory Alan Maddux- 1986 rookie year, 6-14, 5.61 ERA.
A recently released gentleman by the name of Thomas Michael Glavine.
2-4, 5.54 ERA in 1987 for the Braves, ironically, the same exact record and ERA as in 2008, his last year with the Braves.
A rehabbing gentleman named John Andrew Smoltz, 2-7, 5.48 ERA in 1988 for the Braves.
The point being, sometimes, even the most stellar of pitchers, and position players, struggle in their first season in the bigs at times. Big league action is far different than minor league.
One Hall of Famer who did pitch well in his rookie year was George Thomas Seaver, who went 16-13 with a 2.76 ERA for a 1967 Mets team, that lost 101 games, and finished in last place.
I hope that Hanson does well up here, and does better than Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz
One interesting question: I’ve never remembered how this works. Greg is eligible for the Hall in 2014, and should definitely get in on his first try. If Glavine does decide to retire, or cant catch on with another team, and never pitches in a major league game this year, is he then eligible for the Hall in 2014, or does he have to wait until 2015, because he had a contract with the Braves for the 2009 season? Any answers to that one?
Mitch
Nancy
June 4th, 2009
4:03 am
Can’t we just move on???? It’s 2009, not 1995…..Let’s start supporting the younger players (this comment applies to the AJC sports writers…I am so sick of them kissing Glavine and Smoltz’ behind with all of their articles about them…Enough is enough…
The_Future
June 4th, 2009
4:15 am
Anyone who thinks the pitching staff is the reason for the Braves’ troubles needs to take a look at the batting lineup, especially when Chipper is out. Yikes! I mean, seriously, does anyone with any sense think those eight can go toe-to-toe with the Phillies or Cards or Dodgers or whomever else we’ll be competing with for the wild card berth? I mean, Martin Prado has hit cleanup, people… CLEANUP!
McLouth at least adds some pop to the outfield. I side with the crowd that thinks Wren isn’t done dealing. Atlanta still has more starting pitchers than they need, with Hudson on the way back in a month or two. If another power hitter goes on the trading black, expect a guy like Vasquez or KK to be part of that deal.
We’ve been patient long enough, people. It’s time to be proactive once again.
aps
June 4th, 2009
4:25 am
Let’s see what that fine baseball players union he loves so much will do for him now. See ya Tom.
Paul Lentz
June 4th, 2009
4:37 am
Nate McClouth should flourish playing for the Braves. The Braves are only going to get better, he wont have to carry the Braves. His average will go up. His 9 homers and 34 RBI’s would easily lead the Braves. He’ll probably bat lead-off, which would drop Kelly Johnson to the 6th or 7th spot, depending on whether they have him or Kotchman bat 7th. Which means that either way, Jeff Franceour will be batting 8th for whatever time he has left remaining with the Braves.
Again, it is nothing personal. To be honest, I have rooted for him and wanted him to be the power hitter that leads the Braves for the next 10 years. However after watching him swing at bad pitch after bad pitch….after seeing him strand so many runners and kill so many rallies….I have no choice but to say that he will never be a good Major League player. Going after a right fielder with power, whether it is before the trade deadline or after the season..is a must. The Braves have too good of a team…too good starting pitching…to keep giving an easy out playing time.
Imagine this line-up:
Nate McClouth CF
Yune Escobar SS
Chipper Jones 3rd
___________ RF (right handed power hitter)
Brian McCann C
Diaz/Anderson LF
Kelly Johnson 2nd
Casey Kotchman 1st
_____________ P
Plus you’d have super subs Prado and Infante to play if the Braves wanted to load up the line-up with righties when a left hander is pitching.
If the Braves were to acquire a big right handed power hitter….putting him in the cleanup spot makes the lower of the batting order stronger. Having Kelly and Kotchman bat 7th and 8th is much better than Franceour and Schafer. Brian McCann would be much better batting 5th. Having a lefty, righty, lefty in the 3rd, 4th, 5th positions of the line-up would make the line-up much more balanced and potent.
McClouth is the first piece. A right handed power hitter is next. Getting Infante back at the All-Star break will be a big plus. And if Tim Hudson can do anything close to good in August…the Braves will have so many options. Most of you guys do not realize how good the Braves can be with the addition of a right handed power hitter. I really feel that that is the final piece. Getting that will make the Braves a tough team to bet.
However, the key to all of that is keeping Chipper healthy. Having Prado and Infante to spell him would be really important.
So please Mr. Wren, please keep looking for that elusive right handed power hitter who can play right field.
Bob
June 4th, 2009
4:58 am
Pittsburgh got hosed on this deal-
http://minorsandmajors.com
B-Bro
June 4th, 2009
5:19 am
Myself I don’t think they should of ever signed him on a second time. His actions alone back in the 90’s when he headed up the players strike made my stomach turn as he and many players ditched the fans because they wanted more MONEY give me a break it’s a baseball game not a teacher. Try to be a roll model if your going to get paid like some kind of icon…….
Dave
June 4th, 2009
6:42 am
I don’t understand any fan who would want to go with nostalgia of say giving Smoltz or Glavine one last season rather than getting on with the Braves future in developing Tommy Hanson and our young players.We all know this team probably won’t be in the playoffs. The Florida Marlins have shown rebuilding can happen quickly if you concentrate on doing it. I am glad we have made a decision for our future not our past.
Kevin
June 4th, 2009
6:43 am
Let the greedy bastard go some place else. He will always represent what is wrong with baseball players to me.
PJ
June 4th, 2009
6:49 am
I still think the Braves owed Glavine a shot in the majors after all the rehab he did. If he got bombed then, let him go. This move was purely economic in my opinion. http://braves.gearupforsports.com/blog
The Real Fan
June 4th, 2009
7:01 am
Excuse me Mark but aren’t you supposed to be a newspaper man? I would think that would involve a modicum of investigative journalism. Not take the Braves at their word on Glavine’s MPH but verify independently on your own. You have sources. What was the true speed?
The Braves led Glavine to believe that he would at least be given a chance to start a major league game. Wren saying it was not a business decision (1 million worth) was dishonest on its face.
STOP being a shill for the Braves!
jofske
June 4th, 2009
7:29 am
Good riddance. Let him go already, he’s past his prime and his heart’s not in ATL anymore.
It Happens
June 4th, 2009
7:32 am
I’ve been saying the Braves needed to play more of the younger guys for about 3 years now. I do think the way this was handled was crappy but let’s face facts. People get treated like this on 8 to 5 jobs everyday! The man has made his money and as far as I’m concerned was holding a rotation spot hostage. He should have retired at the end of last season…and saved Frank and co. some time. If some other team wants to scoop him up then let em’. The Braves don’t owe Glavine a thing – I’m sure he didn’t think the same when he ran out of town for the Mets and their money. We shouldn’t have resigned him in the first place
BringOnHanson
June 4th, 2009
7:36 am
As I read the comments on the blog, I am not surprised at all by the outrage created by the release of Tom Glavine. Glavine is a legend in the lore of Atlanta’s glory years. Even his prodigal years as a New York Met didn’t tarnish the memory that Braves fans have of Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux anchoring the best starting rotation for over a decade. He will forever be etched in the hearts of Braves fans. Again, I say, I do understand the outrage. On the other hand, I agree with Mark Bradley for once. It was time. We are not talking about a young Tom Glavine. He is 43. He just came off of major arm surgery and wasn’t effective prior to going under the knife. In addition to the age factor, the Atlanta team has a depth of starting pitching. That was evidenced not only by the release of Glavine, but the trade of Charlie Morton. Jim Powell said on Braves radio: “If there’s not room for Tom Glavine on the Braves staff, there isn’t room for Charlie Morton.” I totally agree with Powell’s comment. There isn’t room on the Braves staff for Glavine if the Braves honestly want to make a run at the playoffs. Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurggens and- gulp- Kenshin Kawakami give Atlanta a rotation more formidable than any in the National League East. The Braves felt- and I agree- that Tommy Hanson was ready and would give them the best shot at winning a playoff birth that they haven’t enjoyed in recent years. At this point, no one could say that Glavine gives Atlanta a better shot at the playoffs than Hanson. I would have loved to have seen number 47 retire as a Brave, but he made the choice to continue pitching. If he felt that he could physically pitch and had the desire to continue pitching, that was his choice and rightfully so. In addition to the days dealings with Glavine, the Braves trade of a trio of prospects caught me off guard at first. Then, the more I thought about it, it made sense to me. Atlanta acquires an all-star, gold glove center fielder who immediately becomes the team leader in home runs, RBI and stolen bases. They give up Charlie Morton whose ERA was above six in sixteen starts last season. In addition to him, the Pirates get Gorkys Hernandez who they have always coveted and Jeff Locke. I see no scenario where Locke would have pitched in Atlanta. Hernandez was the wild card. He is a great athlete who has hit well and plays good defense. Make no mistake about it, Hernandez is not a home run hitter. He would have offered a bat at the top of the lineup who stole bases. McLouth will be in center field for four years. He is a complete package. For this reason, Hernandez was expendible. Atlanta still looks at Jason Heyward and the struggling Jordan Schafer as the two brightest outfielders. On a day when Frank Wren appears not to have appeased many Braves fans, this one for once applauds him.
Ken Johnson
June 4th, 2009
7:52 am
‘Bout time. Whenever I hear the name Tom Glavine…the FIRST two words that pop into my head…followed IMMEDIATELY by a STRONG sense of disgust…is “player rep.”…Didn’t want him with the Braves during or after the strike…and don’t want him with the Braves NOW or evermore!
GOOD Riddance! Thank You, Frank Wren!
jose
June 4th, 2009
7:55 am
I wish the Gwinnett Braves will sign him. He is a crowd pleaser, and will sell seats in the (NO INCREASE IN TAXES) STADIUM OUR COMMISSIONERS BUILT….
Coastal
June 4th, 2009
7:56 am
Feel the same way, should have never signed this traitor 2 years ago. When Glavine signed with the Mets, he became the enemy.
J-man
June 4th, 2009
7:57 am
It was the right move, but it was done in a completely classless way, as seems par for the Braves now. In truth Glavine should never have been re-signed and letting him pitch in rehab only to pull the rug out from under him was not cool. This is the sports equivalent of asking a girl to go to the prom with you and she says yes, but what you don’t know is that you are her backup plan and if any other guy asks her, she’s going to go with him and dump you. This whole thing seems to be a cover for the Braves who couldn’t admit publicly that the only reason that Hanson went to the minors was to delay his arbitration eligibility and he did, in fact, make the Braves out of spring training.
I hate to break it to the Braves, but even if Hanson does live up to expectations they still don’t have enough to make the playoffs.
tip
June 4th, 2009
8:03 am
Okay, Glavine is gone. Now, how does Mark feel the addition of McLouth will improve the team? What does this mean for Scheafer in the long term? Can they move one of these center fielders to one of the other outfield positions when Schaefer is ready to come back the the bigs? Wher in the lineup do we expect McLouth to be? Cleanup, number 3 or number 5? I have to think that with the great pitching our starters have been giving us that the ability to score runs more consistently will make this a better team immediately. And yes, we do have a very solid starting 5. If you watch the games most all of these guys keep the opposition to 2 runs or less through 6 innings most every night. So does Medlin go into middle relief? If so, then I think Wednesdays dealings also improve our bullpen. Given what I see I think this really improves the team. Too bad we couldn’t have McLouth around the 9th inning last night!
Fire Frank Wren
June 4th, 2009
8:05 am
MB, if in your brilliant opinion this was such a great move, why weren’t you writing in advocacy before it happened?
No one was advocating the release of Glavine before it happened. Everyone was writing about his impressive rehab outings. Now that the winds blow the other way, you try to foist yourself by praising the move after-the-fact, as if you had these thoughts all along and were finally redeemed.
That, my friend, is a lack of integrity. But, we can’t expect much else from such an ardent supporter of Frank Wren.
Wren is.a dangerous GM with a serious ego problem. We saw it in Baltimore when he tried to get rid of Cal Ripken and actually left him behind on a road trip when he knew Cal was minutes from the airport.
Wren got rid of both Smoltz and Glavine for one simple reason–they were bigger than he is in this town. If I were Bobby Cox or Chipper Jones, I’d watch my back.
Frank Wren says that Glavine wasn’t throwing pitches that could get major league hitters out. Glavine should have at least been given the chance. He worked his butt off to rehab and, after all that hard work, was done dirty (dirtier than Smoltz). For God’s sake, we have Kawikama, and he can’t get major league hitters out either.
Frank Wren was right about one thing–this wasn’t a financial decision. But, it wasn’t a performance decision either. It was an ego decision. Frank Wren’s ego.
AJC
June 4th, 2009
8:08 am
Now Smoltz is whining again how his buddy, former Met, Tommy Glavine was mistreated by the Braves…All of a sudden the Braves are bad guys for wanting to make their team better by not including a couple of aging injury prone pitchers in their plans.. Hey Smoltz, this time I’d suggest a real psychiatrist rather than a sports psychiatrist. Smoltz, you say “you know too much”. What, are you in the 5th grade with that kind of talk? You got something to say, than say it. Baseball is a business, and the Braves business hasn’t been very good lately. I applaud the decisions & trades the Braves made yesterday. At least it gives us fans some glimmer hope, rather than the same ole same ole. Smoltz, I’m pulling for you to do well on the loaded Red Sox team, both you and Tommy were great pitchers for the Braves. But, you really need to just shut your ignorant mouth.
Kevin
June 4th, 2009
8:12 am
Its time for change sounds u remember from…..well glavine crys its not fair give me a chance his agent say so tom Glavine signs with Tampa Rays….pitch against us here….what a sight see Glavine in a Rays uniform winnin here and make Wren sicker john smoltz winnin here with redsox…..great moments in Braves history n for u wonderin where did glavine n maddox get there 300 win with….U guess it that be hat they wear when in HOF in cooperstown!
ChillyMutt
June 4th, 2009
8:13 am
Wow. Just when you think Frank Wren could be more classless or shortsighted he does something despicable like this.
Sometimes its about how you do it not what you do.
I was angry when Glavine let for the Mets too. But I think he eventual realized his mistake – the damage to his legacy. thats why he came back to Atlanta.
Glavine may well have nothing left in the tank but sure would have liked seeing him back in the fold either as a pitcher, coaching, scouting, front office. Wren you should have paid Glavine the bonus, let him make his start and retire as a Brave.
Wren you are an embarrassment to the long time Braves franchise.
ndirish23
June 4th, 2009
8:13 am
The mistake wasn’t releasing him. That’s the sadness. The mistake was signing him in the first place.
Scott B
June 4th, 2009
8:15 am
Please, Tom, don’t go the route of a bitter QB who wears jersey number 4. It is beneath you–
AJC
June 4th, 2009
8:17 am
Awesome post Kevin….You may not be coherent, but you’re still one of my favorite blog posters.
Time is now
June 4th, 2009
8:23 am
Its about time the braves ended this love afair with Glavine. Why they went that route in the first place was beyond me. You have the next potential ace just throwing spades in AAA while we wait for Glavine who has been done for 4 years now?
I applaud Wren for finally taking the team upward and letting go of the past. The past has not served us well. The Glavine, Maddux Smoltz days are long over but they just wanted to keep it going. There are 25 men on this roster and its well past time they start backing them.
Now when is Pendleton gone for a real hitting coach?
NCBravesFan
June 4th, 2009
8:27 am
WOW! The McLouth trade is EXACTLY what the Braves needed to do! They traded non-essential pieces to their puzzle to get a solid young player the team can control for years. Incredible move, and I’m shocked the Pirates did the deal, especially in early June.
As for Glavine, sad day. But if he really wants to pitch again and someone wants to take a flyer, it’ll happen.
My guess is he’ll elect to retire in a few days or weeks.
Connie
June 4th, 2009
8:28 am
Thanks, Tom Glavine, for all the years of great baseball and being a great role model for our young men! I am really disappointed in the way Braves management (Wren) handled this situation. No class! I am a long time Braves fan, but it is becoming harder to be proud of this organization.
Herschworld
June 4th, 2009
8:31 am
I like the move but karma bit us in the arse last night
Ny Nick
June 4th, 2009
8:33 am
I told Tom HGH was the way to go…..He should have talked to Roger!!!!
Scott B
June 4th, 2009
8:35 am
McLouth can flat out mash! I was watching video of him at mlb.com and not a one of the homers I saw him hit was cheap. They were all crushed.