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
Dr.R
June 4th, 2009
8:36 am
Please don’t take this the wrong way because it sounds rather non-PC, but I find it interesting that more of the female fans are upset by the loss of a longtime team hero than the male fans. I think some of you may be more attached to the personalities on the team than the idea of winning. I suppose we look at sports differently that way. I admire Tom Glavine; he is the greatest pitcher ever to come from the Atlanta farm system and he will be celebrated as a Braves icon for years. But the people in charge of the team have to focus on the team now, today, and winning ballgames. Hank Aaron can’t hit any more, Biff Pocoroba can’t catch, and according to baseball people who know what they’re talking about more than the rest of us, Glav no longer had the stuff to get out major league hitters. You have to move past the sentiment and accept that.
Christy
June 4th, 2009
8:43 am
I think it was a great move to let Glavine go. Of course it would have been better to do it before he thought he was coming to Atlanta to pitch, but better late than never, right? I’m ready to see Hanson pitch, I bought my tickets for the game last night.
Obama hates Cheney's bald head the most
June 4th, 2009
8:48 am
STUPID STUPID STUPID…GIVE THE GUY AT LEAST 3 STARTS, ITS NOT LIKE OUR JAPANESE WONDER IS LIGHTING UP PEOPLE AND HANSON CAN WAIT ANOTHER 3 WEEKS…OH AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR SMOLTZ TO COME BACK AND LITE UP EVERYBODY FOR ANOTHER STUPIDE MOVE BY WREN…AND YOU MARK BRADLEY FOR SUPPORTING THEM, THAT GUY IN CLEVELAND CAN KICK YOUR A$$!!!!!!
Nativebird
June 4th, 2009
8:52 am
Tom Glavine, meet Bret Favre, Bret Favre meet Tom Glavine…
ENOUGH!
This is so time honored…there is nothing worse and degrading than has-been old guys hanging on to glory. Move over boys, these games are for the young.
Hey Tom, I hear George Blanda wants to make a come back!
Ughh!
KUDOS to Frank Wren…Best move of the year. “FORK IN IT!”
Doyle
June 4th, 2009
8:55 am
Yea, don’t you hope the Red Sox sign Tom Glavine to join John Smoltz in their rotation? Smoltz has yet to pitch this year. Neither will pitch this year, or if they do it will be limited to four or five starts. Probably the Red Sox and Yankees are the only teams rich enough in money and fans to be able to afford two over the hill Hall of Famers who don’t know when to hang it up. Be a Braves fan. It’s a team sport.
bull-gator
June 4th, 2009
8:57 am
Suck it up Tom. Time to get a real job. You’ve been playing a kids game for how many of your adult years now? And by the way, you earned a ton of money doing it. No sympathy or empathy deserved. Go out like a man and STHU. The Braves are doing what’s right for the organization and it’s fans. Time waits for no man…
Supes
June 4th, 2009
8:58 am
“My duty is to…”
Are you fraking kidding me? Son, don’t talk to me about your Duty. Frank Wren is a LOW LIFE human being for treating a future HOF like Tommy Glavine the way he did. Stringing him along, when I believe they knew all along they weren’t going to use him at all.
I’m so disappointed in the handling of the Smoltz and now Glavine situation. Two future HOF treated like some career JOURNEY man.
There is such a thing in life called LOYALTY. A way of treating people. With Respect. With Truth. This was a low ball move and I’m ashamed to be a Braves fan right now.
I grew up with the Tommy Glavine and John Smoltz posters and baseball cards.
It’s a DARK day for the Braves organization when the door is show in such a way to a future HOF.
May God forgive Wren’s transgressions toward these great team leaders and players, b/c I surely WILL NOT forget. I’m not going to penalize the Braves players or team, so I’ll continue to be a die hard supportive fan, but I will not forget and my respect for Wren and the “Upper management” people is all but gone now.
Tommy Glavine – Future HOF ; John Smoltz – Future HOF ; Frank Wren – EPIC FAIL (in treatment of HOF franchise players)
DavidTH
June 4th, 2009
8:59 am
Cowcrap! Why not let Tom pitch in the BIGS at least 3 games before saying he couldnt be a winner again in the BIGS? Why bring up hanson to let McDowell ruin him. I have been a Braves fan all my life but the way they have been doing things lately is destroying my fanship. And if they dont get rid of the batting and pitching coach then the Braves will never be back in the playoffs. I swear to you now, if they screw over Chipper – then I am DONE with the Braves and more than likely baseball.
ben
June 4th, 2009
9:00 am
For the ppl who say the hell with tom bring up hanson. I don’t want to hear a bad word if say jurrjen bolts for more money somewhere else. You don’t give loyalty you don’t get it, and from a baseball view we can’t opperate like that. we cant outspend. we have to have something other teams don’t have to keep our homegrown talent, and that used to be class.
Hoosier Aaron
June 4th, 2009
9:03 am
Honestly, Frank Wren should serve some jail time for this trade. McLouth not only had more homers last year than our entire outfield, he is a Gold Glove winner, can hit in the lead-off spot and can steal bases….plus he is under-contract at a very reasonable salary.
The only complaint I have is that Frank didn’t talk the Bucs into including Neal Walker into the deal as well. The Bucs have Andy LaRoche and Pedro Alvarez to play third and we need a Chipper replacement. C’mon, Frank….the answer is “No” if you don’t ask.
Ryan
June 4th, 2009
9:04 am
Mark for once I agree with you on something. Hate to see Mr. Glavine go, but I think the club made themselves a lot better with every move on Wednesday.
majatl
June 4th, 2009
9:11 am
MB, There are 40 people at the game and all I see is one Cubs jersey….that’s what your article should have been about! In regards to Glavine, good riddens. We finally got him back for leaving us for the scumbag Mets.
how2fish
June 4th, 2009
9:12 am
I’d like to thank Tom Glavine for all the great years and memories..I’ve always thought he handled himself with poise and class..he is 43 with a weakened arm I get that…but to not at least let him have a couple of starts before releasing him I think was wrong, he did the work they asked of him he thought he was ready and could pitch the Braves didn’t…there was a very easy way to prove who was right, by not giving a future hall of famer the benifit of the doubt they have opened themself up to a lot of second guessing.
timthebrave
June 4th, 2009
9:12 am
this was not about Glavine, it was about taking that money and getting an outfielder. nice move wren
Mine This Bird
June 4th, 2009
9:13 am
Bye bye Turncoat Tommie. You could have respectfully retired a Brave but you didn’t. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.
TBraveFan
June 4th, 2009
9:13 am
Just when I think the AJC reporting can’t be any more moronic – I see this as a headline… Yes, it is time for someone to go – but it isn’t Tommy. Performance based decisions? Then I’m assuming Frank Wren has his sorry behind sitting out on the curb right now along with the contents of his former office in a box.
This is definitely the most classless organization in baseball – Tommy Glavine is one of the most positive images in baseball – wanting nothing but to pitch for the team he started with, the team he helped MAKE what it is today, then retire as a Brave – at a very CHEAP pricetag…he wanted it for love of the game, city and team – and gets this treatment???? Wren – you are by far the worse GM in baseball – you should be DFA’d and released.
Jupiter
June 4th, 2009
9:14 am
A vast majority of you are missing what I feel the Braves did to help Tommy (Glavine). They allowed him to pitch through all his REHAB starts so that when they did cut him scouts would know exactly where he stood and his downtime before being signed would be minimal. Everyone here would have loved to see Tommy (Glavine) add 24 wins over the past two seasons, it didn’t and wouldn’t have happened. The Braves made the right move financially and organizationally.
As far as Tommy Hanson goes? Well lets just hope his ERA stays under 2.00 or his win totals will be < 8. Good luck Hanson, I hope you get tons of run support.
Dave from Delaware
June 4th, 2009
9:20 am
An Un-Maddux Ending
The 2007 season-ending shellacking Tommy G endured at Shea against the Marlins essentially ended his career. He tried to endure and extinguish that lasting memory. It didn’t work, although he managed to squeeze out a few more millions out of the Braves. It is unfortunate that they wasted their time. He certainly didn’t have any hesitation signing with the Mets in 2003 and thumbing his nose to Atlanta.305 wins.203 losses.3.54ERA…12 post seasons! First Ballot Hall of Famer, no doubt!………but. A big but : Maddux had a classy way about him besides being a superior pitcher, hitter and fielder. Glavine, it seems to me is a creep…not a Barry Bonds sort of a creep but a self absorbed creep none the less. He won’t be the Brett Favre “drama queen” when he hangs it up, but I hope, please, he just goes away quietly.
My lasting memory of Glavine is: Tom Glavine (NL rep) 1994 and his arrogant self righteous attack on Dec. 14, 1994 – in the negotiations with federal mediator Bill Usery . The World Series has survived World Wars, the Great Depression, and racial riots, but could not survive the greed of Executive Director Donald Fehr and the MLPA. Glavine’s snide remarks and stance during this time played an integral part in depriving the fans from having a World Series in 1994. Some things will never leave fans memories, and Glavine’s success will forever be coupled with his role in wiping out the 1994 World Series. He has earned both memories.
Sharon
June 4th, 2009
9:24 am
Tommy’s a real pro – we’ll miss him terribly, but wish him all the best!
GP
June 4th, 2009
9:24 am
Braves saved $1 mil by not allowing Glavine to start – good move.
I would like to see Medlen get another start. Anybody else watch him Saturday? He looked great.
Dawg hatin' Jacket
June 4th, 2009
9:30 am
I’ve been a Braves fan since they came to Atlanta, and I’ve seen lots of lows and too few highs. Tommy G. gave us the biggest high back in 1995. But face it folks, it is time to move on. Players are the last to believe they are through (can anyone say Brett Favre?) so just because he says he can do it doesn’t mean he can.
Look at the Pittsburgh Steelers. They let players (even very good star athletes) go MUCH earlier in the process, when they are just starting the downward part of their careers. Even players who some would say have “earned” chance to stay longer. But they recognize the value of fresh legs and fresh minds and fresh hearts. That philosophy seems to be working pretty well for them.
The Braves held on to Smoltz and Glavine WAY too long, throwing away truck loads of money last year for very little return. The days of retiring with your first team are long gone, Chipper maybe being a rare exception. It is time to move on. Get over it.
Kip
June 4th, 2009
9:33 am
The Braves have done this for years, but with Glavine it’s wrong. He was pitching well in his rehab assignment. He has earned the rest of the season with Atlanta. The Braves will not catch the Mets or Phillies. The Marlins will also finish with a better record than them. A Hall of Fame player deserves to be treated better than this.
clifton grant
June 4th, 2009
9:37 am
Wish both Glavine and Smoltz had just retired gracefully the way
Maddox did. Instead, they became pathetic figures.
Phil McCrotch
June 4th, 2009
9:38 am
Good riddance. Glavine bolted for the money as soon as it was dangled in front of him. Anyone remember that. And how good was he? He was awful. Couldn’t beat the braves even. Got pulled in the 1st inning of the last game of the season giving up 7 runs and the mets lost the division. Remember ‘94. He was behind that money hungry group as well. Sentimental hogwash. Get over it. Stop hangin onto the 90’s.
Mark Bradley
June 4th, 2009
9:42 am
There’s a Glavine jersey and a Francoeur jersey in my extremely professional photo. But you have to look hard. (Tip: Clicking on the picture enables you to blow it up to all its blurry glory.)
Bob Caffey
June 4th, 2009
9:43 am
They treated Tom like the Eskimos alledgely treated their old. Wren and the Braves should have told him sooner. They knew what was going to happen and let themselves get into this situation.
AJC
June 4th, 2009
9:44 am
McLouth can’t get here fast enough to help the Braves anemic offense in my opinion….I guess we saw Francoeur’s highlight of the year, 2 nights ago. Matt Diaz is a decent hitting utility outfielder at best, and should not be considered as a starter. Garret Anderson needs to start full-time. If he can’t hit lefties, than he needs to go…Schafer should get it together soon. I hope…DeRosa could help this team.
Mac
June 4th, 2009
9:45 am
If the Braves don’t make a big uptick soon, don’t be surprised to see Bobby Cox “retire,” before the end of the season. I got this from a very reliable source — my gut.
ATLfan15
June 4th, 2009
9:45 am
Releasing Glavine was a business decision….that’s all. I realize what he has done for the Braves (and the city of Atlanta), but you can’t sit around and ‘hope’ that the surgically repaired shoulder and elbow of a 43 yr old pitcher will carry the fifth spot in the rotation. Wren is just trying to field the best possible team with the budget he has been given. It’s time to let Hanson come up and take his shot.
If they had kept Glavine and he ended up being 0-6 with 5.00+ ERA, you would hear these same people criticizing Wren for keeping Glavine on the roster too long…..can’t have it both ways.
Mac
June 4th, 2009
9:46 am
Or it could just be the cold pepperoni pizza for breakfast.
Loafer
June 4th, 2009
9:48 am
Agree with Sacramento 100% Glavine didn’t get all sentimental when he bolted for not just another team but our arch rival the Mets. I love this move. Let Glavine feel like we felt when he dumped us. Good Riddens and I hope you wear a METS jersey at your induction ceremony.
T.O
June 4th, 2009
9:48 am
Finally a great move by Wren. Glavine wasn’t going to be a factor this season. He might have thrown a few games but he wasn’t going to be effective enough to warrant a spot in the rotation. We saved close to 3 million with the call up bonus and his salary for the season. I understand that he gave us great years in a Braves uni but when he bolted to pitch for New York and showed zero loyalty to the Braves Franchise and then after sucking for 2 and a half years and not getting an offer from the Mets he comes running back to Atlanta where we did him a favor and offered him a deal. Why should we have to be loyal to him after he skipped town on us. And to New York out of all places. Love the McClouth sign. Cheap contract and didn’t have to give up much. We were forced to make a deal for a center fielder since we were getting .200 2hr and 8 rbi’s at that position. So what if we have up a couple of prospects. Morton??? Are you kidding me? There’s as 100 Mortons pitching in the minors right now. Way to go WREN. Now go after Matt Holiday with that remaining money and we’ll be a contender!!
Hamad Meander
June 4th, 2009
9:50 am
Right move by the Braves. No criticism should be levied. For the fans who say the Braves should have brought Glavine up, paid the one million dollar roster bonus, and let him retire, let me give you this fact: Tom Glavine earned 128,000,000 during his baseball career – most of that with the Braves. The Braves can clearly say they don’t OWE Tom Glavine anything else.
Bottom line: He didn’t have major league stuff anymore. The scouts said there was no separation between Tom’s fast ball and change-up and that is a formula for batters to ‘tee off’. I think Glavine got away with being a ‘just off the plate’ pitcher for a long time.
Glavine was paid a lot last year for two wins and 13 starts. He wasn’t going to be a contributor this year. The Braves were extremely generous in giving him the chance they did.
Big Picture
June 4th, 2009
9:50 am
I love Tom Glavine as much as anyone, but MLB is a business. It was business when Glavine went to the Mets and its business when Wren released him. Pure and simple. Would you rather see Glavine shelled the next time he plays or would you rather he given the choice to retire or play somewhere else. Why is he any different than any of us? If I can’t perform at my job, do you think they will allow me to hang around for old times sake? No.
While I’m at it. Chipper. The man is approaching more time on the DL than playing time. Its getting close to time for him to move on too. I am the biggest Chipper fan ever, but the Braves are bigger than any one person. I just hope he doesn’t hang on past his prime too.
tulsabravo
June 4th, 2009
9:51 am
Frank Wren and John Schuerholtz are BUMS. I’m so sick of the way this team is being run now. The team neads to be sold and the front office needs to be cleaned out! I’m just can’t believe the way they handle things. For God’s sake, if you want to dump him, pay him the million bucks, let him lose a couple of games, and then tell him “Thanks for trying.” Just pathetic. Can’t believe I’m saying this after being a Braves fan all my life, but I’m done with them until Wren and the idiot Schuerholtz are gone.
bbfanforlife
June 4th, 2009
9:51 am
The decision to release Glavine was his, after being told the Braves weren’t going to put him on the major league roster and that his choices were to either retire or be released. I don’t have an issue with the decision, it’s their team and they’re responsible for the product they put on the field, but I sure have an issue with how it was handled. Why string him along asking him to continue with rehab assignments in the minors when Wren said they felt for some time that he wasn’t improving enough to get out major league hitters? Unfortunately, this manner of dealing with players seems to be a pattern for the Braves lately that you never would have seen in the 90’s. If fans wonder why atheletes don’t seem to have any loyalty to the teams, they need look no further than this story for the answer. If “performance” truly was the reason for the decision, why is Francoeur still playing every day in right field? Sorry, I don’t buy the “performance” excuse.
Hamad Meander
June 4th, 2009
9:55 am
Clifton Grant – great comment. You have to look at Greg Maddox today as a class act. Seems all we hear out of the old time Braves (Glavine, Schmoltz, Jones) is criticism of how they are treated by organization. If I had an employer than paid me over $100,000,000 before I hit 40 years old, I think I would say: THANK YOU!
AJC
June 4th, 2009
9:55 am
Mark Bradley,
When is that Pendleton article you promised going to show up? Do you feel that he’ll be a good manager to replace Cox when he retires? I have a feeling that TP was handpicked by Hank, and that no matter how the Braves fan base feels about TP, he’s the heir apparent.
ronald
June 4th, 2009
9:56 am
tommy g gave no loyalty to the braves prior to bolting to the mets where he struggled forever to reach the 300 plateau.had he stayed with the braves he would have surpassed 300 victories a long time ago and would be 330 plus in victories.i can’t see anyother major league team wanting to pick him up,not even the nationals.he gave no loyalty he should not expect any loyalty.
Braves73
June 4th, 2009
9:57 am
I can honestly say that nothing surprises me. I have always held the Braves organization with such high regard in respect to being “classy” franchise. I don’t think that the way this situation was handled resembled the front office that we are accustomed to…Gulp!
I realize that Frank Wren made the decision that best promotes the future of the Braves, but he handled it poorly. On just business alone, this move needed to be made (save a $1mill & bring up your future – Hanson). In regards to public relations (which other potential players/free agents view), this was not done with great disclosure. If Frank Wren had information from scouts that Glavine didn’t “have it”, then why go through the motions, have him rehab & pitch in the minors, only to cut him…Gasp!
KCrowe
June 4th, 2009
9:58 am
You know what I say…BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me get this straight, you let two of the greatest pitchers since Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain go without dignity and without warning. Yea, yea, yea it’s a business but Smoltz and Glavine (along with Maddux) brought respectability to Braves baseball for the first time since they left Milwaukee. They deserved to be treated better. If they needed $10M a year to come back at not win a single game the entire freaking season, you OWED it to them! Instead, you put a freaking offense on the field that’s nearly at the bottom of the AL AND NL and think that trade to Pitt is going to bail you out! The Braves couldn’t take the freaking division from the Marlins this year!
I hope TG signs with the Phillies and ONLY pitches when they play the Braves and sits on the bench rests all of the other games so that he can be fresh when he faces that little league offence we call a team and shuts them out every freakin game.
Aside from me believing the Braves OWED TG a chance to prove what he’s got, it was a crappy way to handle it. Are you really telling me in todays day and age you can’t predict a little better that your prospects are ready or not? If the organization couldn’t have figured this out two months ago, why are they trusted with the future of the franchise??????? Bunch of bumbling idiots.
And for all of those people who hate TG for his role in the strike: Ticket prices would still be the same without a strike. Only the money would be in the owners pockets. Owners say it’s a business, players say it’s a business and neither is wrong. But when they take to the field it’s supposed to be more than that and the Braves have lost sight of that. I don’t give a crap about the business side of baseball. I care about TG’s Game 7 performance in the 91 WS! 9 innings of shutout ball and he begged to go out for the 10th? BTW, Bobby you should have let him! After the strike did you cheer his performance after Game 6 of the 95 series. Eight innings of 1 hit ball.
Yea I know half of what I wrote wasn’t coherent. I’m too P.O.’d to put together sentences that are intelligent.
MB you’re an idiot and completely missed a great opportunity to highlight what Glavine did for the Braves.
I grew up watching the Braves of the 70’s/80’s and even though they lost more than they won, I still loved them. Other than Chipper who appears to be the only one with class left in the entire organization, I wouldn’t pee on any of them if they were on fire!
Former Braves Fan
Tami
June 4th, 2009
9:59 am
I really, really, really hate that Tommy didn’t get to go out the way he wanted — his terms — which he has more than earned in his career. Despite anyone’s personal opinions of the man, he is a classy guy. Having said all of this, if he wasn’t yet back to pitching up to major league strength by now, would have been by the All-Star Break? And, could the team wait another month? The Braves are hanging by the hairs of their chinny-chin-chins in the middle of the division. They could dramatically go either way and fast. The difference maker is Hanson coming up and the new CF. I wasn’t in agreement last night with this move – emotionally. But, after having slept on it, it was the thing to do.
Glav: If this is your retirement, thank you for your years of service to the Braves & to MLB. It has been a goal of mine to try to make my first visits to Cooperstown for when you, Doggie & Smoltzie are inducted. I hope I can be there.
gene garbage
June 4th, 2009
10:00 am
mark, just now getting a chance to get to see the article, and i agree. hanson or glav, no brainer in my book…we could soon have a rotation that looks like this….lowe, jurrjens,vasquez,hanson, and hudson..move kamakazi to the bullpen(or back to japan).
which leads me to this, would you please ask mr.mcdowell, why do our relief pitchers insist on coming in and walking people? every single one of them do!!!! i do know that coming in out of the bullpen is one of the toughest things to do in baseball,other than pinch hit, but these guys have got to learn to throw freaking strikes!! the winning run last nite was a walk,again. we learn in baseball at a very young age that WALKS KILL YOU. and just because these guys make millions, doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be coached anymore..besides, for many of them, their job is to come in to throw to 1-2 hitters. please get back to me with his answer…
thanx.
Mark Bradley
June 4th, 2009
10:02 am
I’ve heard the argument about the Braves stringing Glavine along, but what would have been the alternative? Cutting him after one or two rehab starts? Wouldn’t the argument then have been, “They didn’t give him a chance”?
bushwacker
June 4th, 2009
10:02 am
I don’t care if it is time, the way the Braves handled Tommy and Smoltz and Maddux is disgraceful!!
3 HOF’S run out of town.
I heard Bobby Cox on the radio and its obvious he did not agree with the decision, as well as Chipper and McCann.
I hope Boston picks up Glavine even if its just to pitch out of the bullpen, and some how if the Braves were to meet Boston in the WORLD SERIES, “of course that will never happen because the “BRAVES SUCK”
I WILL BE PULLING FOR BOSTON TO WIN!!!!
I am done with the Braves and if Chipper is smart, he’ll ask to be traded and Francouer should leave as soon as he is a free agent.
The magic is gone and it ain’t coming back with a $80 million payroll!!!!
gene garbage
June 4th, 2009
10:02 am
oh yeah, k-crowe, that was smoltz in game 7 begging to go out in the 10th. not glavine.
Pete nose
June 4th, 2009
10:03 am
His pitching skills were declining when he left to go to mets. Give the Braves credit for seeing this and making the right moves.Way to go Braves.Thanks Tom Glavin for all the good years you gave Atlanta.
Mark Bradley
June 4th, 2009
10:03 am
This afternoon, AJC.
Rey
June 4th, 2009
10:06 am
Good…I never liked Tom Glavine. He sucked in the post season for the Braves after 95. Doesn’t have the heart and passion of John Smoltz.
Paul W
June 4th, 2009
10:08 am
This is a completely appropriate move. Can ANYONE argue that Glavine would be better than Medlin OR Hansen? People are questioning the timing, but he was given a chance to prove the Braves wrong. Shutout innings against Class A players didn’t prove him ready to perform, but an 82 MPH fastball proved that he COULDN’T. I have no pity for the man who jilted us for more money to go to Queens a few years ago; results have shown that the Braves offered him more than he was worth before the Mets topped it.
As for the trade- I think it is a good one. We won’t miss the two pitchers we gave up, and the Braves have decided that Schafer will be our CF of the future, so Hernandez was expendable. McLouth can play CF, and if Schafer gets his groove back, MCLOUTH CAN PLAY RIGHT FIELD. This deal allows us to do something with Franchouer- demote him or trade him- if he doesn’t start responding to coaching. Wednesday night he looked like classic Frenchy- striking out with the bases loaded chasing three balls, and then looking completely carefree afterward. He was once ny favorite Brave, and now I shudder whenever he comes to the plate.