It hurts to say it, but it was time for Tom Glavine to go

take tom you my hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mark, let’s say that from a baseball standpoint, you are right, and bringing Tommy Hanson up now helps the Braves win the 2009 NL Wild Card. (Not guaranteed, unless a lot of things go right). My problem is, why didn’t the team just not sign him this winter, and let him part ways with us that way, instead of doing it like this?

I had heard Glavine was pitching well in rehab, with six strong innings last night.

I want to see Tommy Hanson, just as much as anyone. I’ll be watching his major league debut on Saturday, if it’s on TV the Extra Innings package I have. I just don’t think the Braves should have let Glavine go in this manner.

I suspect that your blog will see strong opinions from both sides.

Mitch

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take care tom you my hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I think Tom had become a soft(er) tosser and the team has 5 kids who throw harder but they never manned up and told him that this was even a possibility. So, he rightly feels blindsided even if this is the right move in an abstract sense. Move could not look worse nor have been handled worse, but it was the right move.

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I have no problem with them letting Glavine go. Hanson is ready and we are going to be in good shape with our pitching. Mark…. would do you think of the trade the braves just made?

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Sorry I can’t spell………. What do you think of the trade?

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Why put a guy through all the rehab starts, and he pitched pretty well, then decide to not even give him a chance to see what he can do. He never overpowered anyone before, but he sure could get people out. Who did the observation on Glavine??? After pi$$ing away all that money on Tex, knowing there was very little chance of signing him long term, and the thought of paying Glavine a million sent a Braves Hall of Famer to the showers….Tom Glavine gave a lot to the Braves, Tex a cup of coffee……………………..Performance my fanny….If that be the case, a lot more of the current crew wouldn’t be around….The million dollar price stoned the once proud Braves…Get off the performance kick….300 victories, he deserved a chance, then if he fails, go get the young fireballer……ALL ABOUT MONEY….
NO CLASS ALL THE WAY….TYPICALLY BRAVES OF LATE…

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I was shocked to see it happen, but I agree Bradley, it probably is for the best. Tough to see it happen to Tom, because like you, I have been such a huge fan over the years. After all the work he has done the last couple of weeks, I am kind of surprised the Braves cut him today and not three weeks ago…kind of a low move IMO to cut him right before he was about to come back…Why now and not months before?

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Bringing up Hanson gives the Braves a shot at the 2009 Wild Card??? He better bring his bat AND HIT .340, too, cause the Braves can’t score enough runs to be the Wild Card….Haven’t figured out a way to steal 1st Base….REAL CLASS WAY TO HANDLE TOM GLAVINE, JUST LIKE WITH JOHN SMOLTZ….BRAVES AND WREN, JOKES OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL….

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YEAH, HE WORKED HIS BUTT OFF TRYING TO GET BACK AND PITCHED THOSE REHAB STARTS JUST SO HE COULD ASK FOR HIS OWN RELEASE….ASK SMOLTZ ABOUT WREN….WREN COMING TO THE BOOTH, SHOULD BE REALLY INTERESTING….

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Take your $125 million bank account and GO BACK TO NEW YORK!

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Hey, Frank Wren , ever hear of a guy named Jamie Moyer?? He just won 18 ballgames for the world champs last year.Soft-tossing no less. I hope Tom goes back to New York and keep the Braves out of the PLAYOFFS! Yet another stupid move by this so-called GM. My cat could make better moves than this.

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OMG, Nate McClouth is only 27, has 2 more years after this year before he is eligible for free agency. He’s only making $2.5 mil this year. He can hit for power (9 homers, 34 RBI’s), has speed (7 stolen bases) and has a good strikeout to walk ratio (21 walks, 29 strikeouts).

I guess this means that Jordan Schafer will be staying in Triple A until the September call-ups. Also, I think that this means that Jeff Franceour is staying in right field for the time being. However, I’m hoping that Cox will eventually put Diaz in there. Or maybe he is waiting for Omar Infante to come back at the All-Star break. Still, I do “understand” why the Braves are still giving Franceour a chance. They are holding out hope that he will be the right handed power bat that we need. While I do hope that the Braves are still looking for a deal for a right handed power bat, the McClouth trade does help the offense while not sacrificing defense.

I see no problem with who the Braves gave up. Charlie Morton, at best, will be a 4th or 5th starter. Giving up Gorkys Hernandez, no better than a utility outfielder, late inning defensive replacement. And the other guy, I havent heard much on. Now this trade reminds me of the days that the Braves used to fleece teams. Remember the bums the Braves gave up to get Fred McGriff? This could end up being that kind of trade.

Releasing Glavine, trading for a bonifide centerfielder with power, without paying an arm and a leg and not busting the payroll…..what a day.

Frank Wren and company…..WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, Jeff Franceour….another weak popout to right field. Looks like he is back to his normal ways.

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More good news. Nate McClouth has a very team friendly contract. His 3 year-$15.75 mil contract began this year. $2.5 mil this year, $4.5 mil in 2010, $7.75 mil in 2011, and $9.4 mil “team option” for 2012. Man the Braves made out big time on this deal. A bonifide Major League centerfielder with a very team friendly contract. This actually frees up big money for the Braves to either acquire a big right handed bat before the trade deadline….or…..go after someone in free agency. Remember, Garret’s $2.5 mil, Tim Hudson’s $11 mil ($12 mil option minus the $1 mil buyout), and if the Braves do not tender Franceour (another $.3.75 mil savings) all could come off the books at the end of the year. That is big time money to use to go after that elusive right handed power bat.

This trade gives the Braves big time flexibility.

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It was a dumb contract to begin with. Pay him $1 million if he starts one game. That’s ridiculous. It should be something more like 10 starts. Then he would be playing.

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I am embarrassed by the conduct of the Atlanta Braves toward Tom Glavine not just this time, which is beyond words, but also the first time when he wound up at the Mets. Also, when he tried to come back in 2007 the Braves wanted to put him on hold until it was what they wanted to talk about. He has tried not to leave twice, tried to comeback once, came back with a home town discount and the Braves have treated him like a stray dog – they might play with today or they might kick to the curb tomorrow. In baseball three strikes means you are out, well the Braves have 3 strikes against them where Glav is concerned and don’t deserve the respect as an organization that they are given. You don’t treat a sure Hall of Famer and a major corner piece of your organization’s history like Glavine has been treated and words like professional and class describe your organization. It is obvious that you were stringing Tommy along so you could make a deal – shame on you – Glavine deserves more respect than that! I have supported your events even when it was obvious you don’t have a clue what baseball fans are interested in when it comes to events like Fanfeast. I attended games and watched when you lost 100 games year after year. I have been a Braves fans since I was 5 years old (1966) now, not so much!

Vickie Carter

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Frank Wren isn’t telling the truth – at least, not entirely. The Braves save more than $1 million by releasing Tom Glavine now.

I, for one, disagree wholeheartedly with this. Give the man a chance to finish his rehab and come back. For all that he gave the organization and the city of Atlanta (far more than should be discredited by his alleged actions in the 1994 strike), I believe he deserved that.

I also believe that if he had not been able to perform at the level of his own expectations, he would have walked away on his own.

I believe, and always will, that both he and John Smoltz should have had the opportuntity to do that in Atlanta. Frank Wren denied both of them that opportunity.

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IT HURTS TO SAY IT BUT IT IS TIME FOR FRANK WREN TO GO

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This is the worst. If Glavine asked for his release, why did he say he was ready to return to the majors after his last start? Unless he tore his shoulder getting out of bed this morning it sounds like horsepatties! I understood the reason he left the first time, but this time makes no sense…
As for the trade. I live in Pittsburgh and let me tell y’all something..McClouth is the real deal. I have been wishing we’d pick him up for a year now. The fact he has 4 years left is even sweeter. The defense just got 100% better over Schaffer. He is a player who can go and hit also. No more 209 average in center! Frenchy better watch his back and grow up fast, Wren is serious about getting rid of people who don’t perform..Or just people in general.
I wonder what the “baseball experts” saw when Tommy pitched 6 great innings? His fastball was never above 85 and it was there in his now last game. It really takes balls to send a 305 game winner packing when he is about to join the club after all that rehab.

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I’m a huge Braves fan now living in Miami and don’t get the games on TV here. Just reading about all this disturbing news from today. Those of you watching the game on TV, is Wren saying anything that makes sense of his decisions? Have either of the commentators asked the tough question of why the Glavine departure handled in such a way? Or why he just gave up 3 of our top prospects, one of whom is a top 100 national prospect, for 1 kid from the Pirates?

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The Braves gave up alot for Mclouth.. I am happy to get him but I hate trading our pitchers away like that

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Doesn’t hurt me at all, to see Glavine CUT. Good riddance. We’re gonna make a strong run for the division. Thank goodness we’re not trying to do it with dead weight like Glavine strapped on our backs. Seems to me they still need another bat, however. Left field and right field are still black holes. As much as I like Vasquez, he seems like trade bait, for an outfielder.

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What a low class move on the Braves part. Wren needs a job where his bad decisions do not affect classy human beings. Tom Glavine has heart, something the decision makers with the Braves DO NOT HAVE. R E S P E C T in the Braves office just stinks. Tommy has always been a team player, a good leader and has shown his loyalicy and love for the Atlanta fams. My home is full of Braves collectibles and Tommy has the biggest corner, as well as, a corner of my heart. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BRAVES LOW CLASS TACTICS. THREE CHEERS FOR TOM GLAVINE !!!!!!!!!!!!

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Good piece MB!! As we were so aggressive in beating up Frank Wren and the Braves for some of the fiascos that happened during the offseason we must give a thumbs up for todays moves . . It was time for Glavine to go…It was past time for Jordan S. to be sent down . . Good move in bringing up Hansen . . We’ll have to wait and see how the Pittsburg deal pans out. . I’m not so sure that we didnt overpay for McClouth

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He makes 1 million no matter what. He would have made another for making the roster and more for 30 days of service. It was a money decision. This is what happenes when you bring in a guy with no ties to the history of the team. Is it nostalgia to bring him back?? Maybe but when he says he can pitch then I would trust a 300 game winner over a guy who never played

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I’m sad to see Glavine go and mostly the way he was released from the team. I wished for him to be allowed a chance to prove that he could still pitch in the “bigs” but he was not allowed the opportunity to do so.

However, there is no doubt in my mind that Tommy Hanson will give the braves a better chance of winning. He’s the real deal and barring major injuries he will help the braves by winning many games and creating a fresh new atmosphere in the clubhouse.

Also, the addition of Nate Mclouth will bolster the offense a great deal which I fell is the best thing that could have happened to the team today.

I’m going to miss Glavine as I miss Smoltzie. I don’t like the way the braves management handled these future Hall of Famers in releasing them from the team. But I still like the braves chances to at least get a wild card berth if the offense comes around and if the bullpen can hold the leads and save games in the final innings.

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This has become an absolutely classless organization. Yeah Glavine is old and throws soft but he has always thrown soft and along the way put up 300 wins. How many young flame throwers have we seen crash and burn at the big league level. Apparently we learned nothing from the Jordan Shaffer matter–a prospect is just a prospect until he does something. Glavine has done plenty, Hanson, Wren, Cox and Pendelton or merely prospects, and many of them do not look like such great prospects. Just turned my television off. So long Braves.

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great trade for Mclouth, Glavine should have been released sooner. he really thought he had a place here. Shaffer and Glavine are gone. now if we can find someone to take the French Fickler and Norton and Carlyle, we might have a decent team

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I would love to see the Red Sox pick up Glavine and he and Smoltz pitch them past the Yankees into the playoffs!!! I know, I can dream can’t I??

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Last year the Braves paid big money to players who were on the disabled list. Our starters could not go 5 innings. This year, the Braves have retooled the rotation, improved the bullpen, and gotten rid of those bad contracts. Frank Wren has done wonders in the past year for the Braves. He is trying to improve the Braves’ chances of winning this year. However, I feel that he has his eye on 2010.

It seems that many of you are more loyal to washed up, past their prime players…than to the team. Plus you would rather a home town player (Franceour) continue to make easy out after easy out……than to play someone who can hit the ball (Matt Diaz).

Many of you are not real Braves fans.

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Um… you are the devil Frank Wren!!! Stop spewing your twisted and explain why you stabbed Tom Glavine in the back! You humiliated him! Crushed him! TOM GLAVINE – a baseball legend who is (was?) destined to represent the Atlanta Braves in the Hall of Fame! He’ll probably opt to go in as a Met now!!! Yeah Tommy Hanson blah blah, it all makes sense on paper, but a player as honest and classy as Tom Glavine deserved something better, MUCH BETTER. He was working his ass off to get back and win games for us, which is why you signed him in the winter. Why would you wait until now to pull the rug out from under him? This could have been handled differently. I hate you. *Tom – I love you.

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I remember when Glavine was a young rookie, he was great, areal competitor, had alot of grit, like a pittbull, Henever gave in to the batters. Greatest left-hander we ever had? he and Warren Spahn

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^^^ “twisted LOGIC” …

And while I’m at it: YEAH six scoreless innings in class A ball doesn’t prove he can cut it in the big leagues, but it sure as hell doesn’t prove that he CAN’T!!!! Jerk. You suck.

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QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:

1) How does Tommy Glavine work up the nerve to say ANYTHING about loyalty?!?!?!

2) why are braves fans buying his sob story??

give me a break, the guy took a few extra bucks to sign with our most hated division rivals. after all, it’s just a business.

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Glavine gave the Braves and fans the finger when he led the players strike and again when he went to the Mets for a few bucks. Karma is tough sometimes.

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How fast can McLouth get here, the Braves may need him tonight? Glavine bolted for the Mets, Smoltz whined like a baby when he left. Did the Braves not pay these senior citizens last year, for doing absolutely squat?

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Paul, so did the Tex trade make you all happy like you are today? I don’t remember the team doing much when he was here. Or Sheffield. If Smoltz and Glavine are past their prime why would they try to come back? Glavine said he would retire if it wasn’t worth it. Hampton is doing good for the Astros and Smoltz is about to come back in a month..Against us.
You must be an accountant the way you sound. Yes, cold hard numbers are all that matters to you, right? It’s people that think like that that ruin a lot of good things. Not everything is up for cold analysis. Being a true Braves fan as you say, don’t you wonder about the timing and that maybe it might just be a little crappy? I thought the problems were with the outfield, not with a hall-of-famer.
And speaking of saving money..The reason they brought up Medlen instead of Hanson early was the fact that now they have an extra year before he goes to arbitration. Yes, Medlen was pitching better, but hanson is THE PRIZE not Medlen. They could have let Glavine at least pitch one game and see how he did. What would it have hurt? If he had done bad, he would have retired on his own and then Hanson could have been brought up. No harm.
So explain why we true fans are stupid for thinking that would have been a bad move? One game would not have hurt..considering how many games Frenchy lost for us with his lack of timely hitting

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Yeh baby…. I do hope some other NL club picks Tomy up and he comes back and skunks the Braves. I justbecame a Res Sox fan.

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Let’s hope Tommy Hansen is another Tommy Glavine and not another Tommy Greene.

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Look it is not the 90’s. It is time to move on, if dumping Glavine gets us a Hanso call up and our new all star center fielder. BYE Tommy. Move on Braves fans it is time to win now. The 90’s dont get you wins now.

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Mitch,

how on earth is this blackmail?

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There’s just too much to be angry about.

You are killing the spirit of this team!!! How do you expect them to perform when they have no faith in you!? I bet you Chipper is sitting in the dugout right now staring out into left field wondering when he’s gonna get traded, because you have made it obvious that there is no depth to which you will not sink.

Keep up this pattern, destroying the Braves’ legacy in the pursuit of a championship, but we’re still not gonna win! You got no heart man.

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Right move at the right time. This wasn’t handled all that badly either.

1. T.H. is ready and bringing him up now will allow the braves to keep him from become a super 2 and arbitration eligible a year early. Thanks to Melden.

2. Glavine wasn’t just due 1 mill. He was due 1.25 after 30 days and another 1.25 after 90. Hanson will make the minimum or so and likely do at least as well as if not better than Glavine.

3. Letting Glavine go after he failed to make the roster on April 17 due to injury might have made more sense to some but the braves would have still been out his 1 million. So they bought time they had ALREADY payed for just in case morton, melden, and hanson all sucked at triple A. They didn’t suck so why pay Glavine 3.5 million when they can pay that to the new outfielder.

4. They did Glavine a favor as well. By allowing him to make rehab starts other MLB teams now have proof that there is some gas left in the tank and Glavine will have a chance to catch on elsewhere.

5. Finally, Glavine was brought in as stop gap insurance for the 5th spot. The braves hoped he would be ready by April 17th and he was signed with that intent. Had he not been hurt this wouldn’t have been an issue unless he picked terribly.

——————–

OMFG… Morton, Hernandez… Both gone for this new OF? Thats WAY to large a price to pay.

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“ike,” it was more than a “few extra bucks,” and again, the Braves were not willing to make a long-term commitment like the Braves were.

He came back – for LESS money.

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Wow, MB are you or anyone else monitoring some of the crap being posted? (Looking in your direction “Max Minus”)You can disagree about the wisdome of the trade and be upset about the release, but personal attacks on Mr. Wren is just sad and pathetic.

I too think Glavine needed to go. 43 with balky arm vs. phenom Gwinnett, no contest. Don’t know much about the Pitt player they picked up, but the outfield as presently constructed ain’t cutting it.

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Was anyone at the game in Rome last night? I was and Glavine didn’t pitch that well. He got lucky and you had to be there to see it. Good move by the Braves.

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Come on guys? Grow up! This is baseball! We are here to win, not make friends and just be nice. Like Wren said, the goal is to put the best 25 players on the field. 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.

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Totally classless move by what’s become a CLASSLESS organization..

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“Braves Fan,” Frank Wren likes to throw that “goal” out there all the time. Unfortunately, his own efforts don’t seem to come close to achieving that goal. Just look at the debacle that was the Braves’ off-season free-agency negotiations.

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Oh ya Glavine was toast last year. And ask the Mutts about his last start 2 years ago. 7 runs in the first inning on the last day of the season for a chance for the playoffs. Glavine was done.

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“ChrisfromSacramento,CA,” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard fans say that already this season. It is moving closer and closer to the Cubs’ fans and their proverbial, “Wait ’til next year.”

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There is no reason degrade anyone. You can state your opinion of the sport, or a person, or a situation with a little class.

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WTF was he swinging at?? He is the “Rally Killer”.

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it was a good move. Glavine is a has-been. I too was a big Glavine fan during his younger years. But his worn out arm just finally caught up with him. He’s old and it’s time to sit down and let the young guys play.

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Well Ried i hope you are wrong. I am trying to stay up beat. But watching Jeff strike out while not even swinging at a strike does make me wonder what the deal is. God he is horrible.

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Glavine had a chance to retire as a brave today and chose to test the market. The funny thing is that he cant cut it and he will find out soon enough. We have scouts for a reason to test whether someone can do it. Glavine just thinks he can still do it. It is hard for an athlete to admit it sometimes that its over.
Wrenn made the best moves he has ever made today!@!!!

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All brilliant moves today, my enthusiasm for this season is much higher. Next step: make Soriano the closer, let Gonzalez be the lefty setup man. Gonzo makes me nervous every time he takes the mound. Soriano has looked better all year.

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WRITE THIS DOWN… Tom Glavine will pitch somewhere else in the Major Leagues this year and he will get bombed and it will be embarassing for him. A lot of people saw this coming for Glavine and the Braves gave him the opportunity to exit gracefully and he chose to be released so he could go somewhere else.

I agree that he and Smoltz deserves to retire at their own discretion and the competitor in them tells them that this is the way to go. Only time will tell but odds are that neither of them will ever pitch effectively again for an extended period of time.

I hope that I’m wrong and that the heart of both men shows that which can’t be measured is greater than the physical things that common people believe in.

Regardless of what anyone says, both men left Atlanta because they wanted to leave and even though they would make a few million more dollars, what could a few million more dollars mean to someone that has already made more than them and their children and their grandchildren could ever spend.

If their loyalty had been to the Braves like they say it was, then a few million more dollars shouldn’t have made a hill of beans to them, at least at this point in their careers. Bottom line is they wanted to leave (Glavine when he left for the Mets and Smoltz when he left for Boston) or they would have been in Atlanta to retire as Braves.

It would have been great to see Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz retire at the same time and to then be enshrined in the Hall of Fame at the same time and they should all be in the Hall of Fame. But Glavine and Smoltz decided to try to give it one more shot and make a few more million dollars.

I’ll get attacked for this, but the truth is the truth.

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“ChrisfromSacramento,CA,” you hope I’m “wrong” about what? I’ve heard people say that after a win here or there. I’ve probably heard it 10 times this season. Each time, the anticipated “turnaround” hasn’t occurred. They haven’t “gotten on track.”

As much as I hate to say it, I’m not sure that all of the pieces are in place to get things headed in the right direction – and that starts all the way up at the general manager’s spot.

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Now that he Braves are making moves, can we get rid of TP?

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That’s a rough way to treat Tommy Glavine. He did everything that was asked of him this year, to get back and pitch, and he gets axed just as he’s finally able to do so. Everyone’s vilifying Wren for this, and rightly so, but he’s being vilified for the wrong reason. None of this Glavine drama would have been necessary if Wren hadn’t felt the need to spend $7 million/year for 3 YEARS OF KENSHIN KAWAKAMI!!! That move is now forcing his hand. Wren chose Kawakami over Tom Glavine AND John Smoltz. This man may be unstable. As for Mr. Glavine, all I can say is thanks for all the wonderful memories, ‘95 especially.

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Tom was terrific. He’s on his way to the HOF. Hopefully he’ll take his release like the professional he was and is. Best of luck to you, Tom. Thanks for everything.

Cox ought to tell the Frenchman that the next time he swings at a first pitch (another pop up), he can keep on walking … out of the dugout, through the locker room, and out to the parking lot. Get in his car and drive north on I-85 to AAA ball. Man … he is stubborn. He just doesn’t get it! The G-Braves should be pretty good with Shafer in Center and Frenchie in Right.

Bring on Hanson. Can’t wait to see him pitch.

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smoltz was offered a contract with just as much incentive pay as boston offered. we just didnt offer the guarantee. Anybody should understand with the circumstances we had to make it incentive and not guarantee because of the injury.
so smoltz left because he wanted to.

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Chipper is the man period!!

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“jch,” Frank Wren is definitely the loser in this, and I believe he has earned it. You may think that Wren offered John Smoltz a fair deal, but Wren lied publicly by saying it was close to Boston’s offer. It wasn’t.

I don’t see this or Glavine’s situation being that different. The primary similarity is that Wren handled both of them horribly.

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I don’t know why the Braves paid him the first $Million$ Dollars. What did they get for that? The opportunity to pay his medical and rehab bills. I would take a million to do that. What did they get last year, 2 wins for $8Million$? Good by Greedy Glavin!!

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Edward. You obviously don’t know baseball if you think glavine was anything other than an insurance policy. Think for a second.

Glavine was pitching in spring training. DL stints do not go from Sept of one year to April of the next.
They signed Glavine thinking and hoping he would be the glavine of 2006/7 of the mets and not the first time DL 08 glavine we recieved. Signing him made some sense because we got him on the cheap for a veteran with big game experience. No one knew his shoulder was going to go to crap. It wasn’t even the problem last year his elbow was. The shoulder was suppose to just be a clean up type situation.

He pitched decently well against A ball. Many of those guys will never see the light of day at double A much less the majors.

Again, Glavine was a security blanket incase Hanson, Melden, or Morton were not ready or were doing horrible at triple A. None of which occured. Add in the fact that Glavine wasn’t there when they needed him in April and you get todays release.

Baseball is a business as much as anything else. If this were Chipper I’d be as upset as the next guy. Glavine while a great brave was treated with respect and given the option of retiring as a brave or getting his release.

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Absolute CLASSLESS move by this organization. Maybe it was time, but not the way the Braves did it. Gave him hope that he will be up with the big club then cut him 2 days before. You don’t do this to a guy that has meant so much to the great run of the 90’s.

Totally Classless!

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Reid, Wren is a loser because he wouldn’t dish out big money to two has-been’s who have combined for how many innings pitched this year? OH that’s right. ZERO.

As big as the market is for lefty’s who can’t break 81mph and haven’t pitched in a year…….Glavine is done. Smoltz- he might make a start or two before he is “banged up” and calls it a careet. Man, I sure wish you ran the Braves.

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I have only lived in Atlanta for 11 years and do not pretend to know how some of the life-long Braves fans feel. But the truth of the matter is Smoltz and Glavine stole about 20 million dollars from the Braves last year and have not made a start in nearly a year. Gregg Clifton can spin it anyway he wants, but let’s be honest, the phone did not ring last year from other teams for Hometown Discount Glavine.

Glavine did not average the 15 outs a start to qualify for a win and had an ERA approaching 6 runs. Let’s see what he does if and when he lands a job before we crucify Frank Wren

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BY the way, class does not put people into seats. Atlantans want to see Tommy Hanson’s 87 mph slider, not Tommy Glavine’s 81 mph fastball.

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To you “classless” people. Time to step into reality. If you truly believe the Braves just dumped him without giving him the choice of bowing out with some respect, then YOU really are idiots who need to have some filler pumped into your head.

They asked him to retire. He said no. They cut him. He will never sign with anyone ever again.

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PRETEND- hahahaha, he threw 6 scoreless against a bunch of 17 year old Cuban immigrants. Good for him. There wasn’t a radar gun there for a reason. The move saved us at least $3.5 mill and let us finally get an outfielder. Which, by my last count, brings the “actual outfielder” total on the atlanta roster to —- ONE

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Aw, come on, Wes, Matt Diaz is a decent outfielder…

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Let me add my two cents worth. I read the comments on AJC daily and there is a constant carping about Wren’s failure to add players that can move the Braves forward. Today he did just that. To get someone of McLouth’s ability required giving up a bit. I just read on another site that rated the trade B+ for the Braves and Pirates C-. The rating would have been higher for the Braves if McLouth had been a right handed hitter, with the team being very left handed. Releasing Glavine is a business move…and the right one to make. Glavine left for business reasons, just as Smoltz did. Why should a team not make business decisions. If they don’t make the right decisions, fans don’t show up at the ball park. Get over it. Glavine might catch on with some team for the remainder of the year and I hope he does. I value his contributions to the Braves over the years, but ultimately we all have to understand that baseball is a business..not just for the team, but the players as well.

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Thats the only thing they did right..Sign Chipper for the next 3 years or so. I like Chipper but him not being there hurts us and he goes on the DL alot. So in everyones argument for letting Glavine go, why not the same for him? Not that I want him gone. I really would quit caring they ever did.
Again, Dl stints do go that long. Or is Hudson on the roster?? If I remember it correctly he has been Dl’d since August last year. Or was he moved to the minors? I guess i do know something about baseball. I also know we gave up our farm the last couple of years for who? Oh yea, players on other teams. Where did that get us? Same place we are now. And guess what??? We are going there again soon. We still need a big bat in right.
And if Vazquez is so good why is it the big rumor he is going once Hudson comes back? We have to make room for Hudson soon. Oh yea, he is in the minors according to OBGYN not on the DL. We can just call him up in September right?

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Glavine didn’t deserve a chance to show he has something left or not? Not even one start? Or the Braves couldn’t have made this decision a month ago to give him an early start to look elsewhere? Whatever. Do me a favor Mark, next time you talk to Glavine, tell him his fans apologize for the way he was treated at the end. And tell him we appreciate everything he gave this organization and city. Love ya Tom.

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WES-thank you-

Does anyone remember when he turned to the Braves and lifted his middle finger in 2002?

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Wes, they gave up a future all star center fielder to bring in that outfielder. And for fun they through in a possible number 2 or 3 starter. For a guy who only made the all star team because he played for Pittsburg. He would not even be a starter in NY, Boston, TX, etc. So yes, nice move. Give up two pieces of the future for a slightly above average outfielder? Gorkys was not a top Braves prospect. He IS one of the top outfield prospects in all of MLB.

Yes, Glavine looked good against a bunch of minor league players. If you did not care how he did, why send him at all. Let him know up front there is no room for him and give him the chance to retire or sign with someone else in the spring, not in June. Again, it looks to me like Wren was just trying to show Glavine up.

Bad trade, and horrible treatment of a first ballot hall of famer.

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“Wes,” if you read what I said, Wren has been a disappointment from practically the time he was put in the general manager decision. Did you follow the Braves’ fiasco that was off-season free-agent negotiations? That was Wren, plain and simple.

As far as your statement that the Braves gave him a chance to retire, why should he retire if he honestly believes he can still pitch in the Major Leagues? That is a decision for Tom Glavine to make, not Frank Wren and Liberty Media. He said when he decided to try and come back that if he could not pitch at the level he wanted, he would retire. For Glavine to have “retired” today would be publicly saying he thought it was over.

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“WestPalmDawg,” I remember in 2002 when the Mets were willing to make a solid commitment to Tom Glavine that was more LONG TERM (his primary concern) than what the Braves were willing to offer.

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Frank Wren’s spin is lame, and Mark I’m usually defending you to the water cooler crowd, but you’re showing some real ignorance in buying it.

Frank Wren go home and DJ Anderson make the key points above . . . it was about nothing BUT the money. He was sharp in his rehab starts. What, exactly, was it he needed to go out and do in those in order to get a shot? Strike out every batter faced?

A team that has started Jo-Jo Reyes can give Tom Glavine the ball once or twice before kicking him to the curb. Frank Wren is a jerk, and the Braves have devolved into something I don’t really recognize.

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“Wes,” no, I wasn’t. That doesn’t lessen my interest as a fan in this organization. I’m sure you’re probably not willing to share what the “fans” were saying to him on that particular day either.

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And whoever it was that said, “Glavine still believe he is big league level.”

The guy hasn’t pitched in a year and couldn’t break 81. You want him on your team? PLEASE, I beg you, go get the GM job for the Mets.

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“Bart,” that’s a very good point. All of this praise for Frank Wren on getting rid of Tom Glavine and bringing in this outfielder.

This is the same GM who left Jo-Jo Reyes in the starting rotation for nearly two years. This is the same GM who was the primary factor in the numerous off-season free-agent negotiation failures between last year and this year.

This is the same GM who made numerous decisions in Baltimore that are still hurting that organization.

But, hey, he got rid of Glavine. That makes up for all of his past mistakes – to some people, at least.

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Bobby Cox left Reyes in the rotation. Bobby and Bobby alone. Haha, you glavine lovers REALLY are idiots. Lowe, Vasquez, Jurrgens, Hanson, Hudson, Medlen, Kowakami……….and GLAVINE. Seems one of those names doesn’t fit. You tell me which one it is

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“Wes,” I’m not sure what you’re referring to as far as your comment about stats and pitching against “high school dropouts.” If you’re referring to Glavine’s minor-league rehab starts, I’ve said nothing about those, positive or negative.

I do feel that it should be up to Tom Glavine when he retires. If he feels like he can pitch at the Major League level (and I never said I thought he could), then I’m all for him giving it a shot.

He said publicly that when he finished his rehab, if he couldn’t pitch effectively, he would retire. I still believe that will be the case.

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From a business standpoint, yes, Tommy Hanson makes more sense. The way this was handled highlights again Wren’s incompetence. You say all winter long and through the spring how much you want Glavine back. He does everything you ask of him to gear up for the season. After his last rehab start, he shows up at the stadium thinking he’s about to rejoin the team but gets told, “thanks but no thanks. Retire or we’ll release you”. How about some honesty? I agree that Hanson is the better choice, but how about telling Glavine all along that it’s always possible he won’t make the team, that you have several other options. This decision would be much easier to stomach had Wren and Cox been upfront all along instead of being pussies and stringing him along all winter and spring.

Speaking of incompetence… you think Glavine isn’t capable of performing at the major league level? How do you justify Cox and Pendleton still drawing a paycheck? Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur speak volumes about Pendleton’s ability (or lack thereof). When one of your players goes outside the organization for help during the off-season, shouldn’t that tell you something?

As for Cox, here’s a guy who was handed a once in a generation, perhaps a once in a lifetime starting rotation. 3 out of 5 games, there was a Hall of Famer standing on the mound. Another Hall of Famer at 3rd base, a center fielder who at the time looked to be on a Hall of Fame trajectory. All of that supported by some VERY good players over the years (McGriff, Galaragga, Justice….) and we have one World Series to show for it. 14 straight division titles? They should’ve won 14 straight. Many of those years, the NL East was not that tough. The Braves beat up on the teams they were supposed to (Rockies and Marlins in their expansion years, Cubs in their bad years) but were just average against top flight teams.

What might that team of the 90’s have been with a real manager (Torre, perhaps LaRussa… any decent Little League manager)?

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This is a BUSINESS not a Hallmark card. Bye, Tom. You gave us the finger. Now we get the chance to give it back.

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Thank you Tom for all the hard work and excitement you brought to the Braves. I hate to see you go under these terms. Enjoy life after baseball.

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Paul, trust me, I live here and know McClouth is good. I was just thinking it would have been nice to let Franchy go here then stay with my team. The Pirates would have traded him anyway or cut him. I know all about them not paying players..That’s why I walk up to the window on gameday and get $27 front row seats to any game I want to see!! God bless their cheap owner!
And they never said Hudson would be in the majors in August I know, but starting rehab then. they expect him for september. If we are in it. Actually it would make better sense to keep him and have it be Lowe, Hudson, Hanson, Medlen, Kawakami. That way we have 2 proven number one starters and 2 very near future number ones. Hudson is only an option year pitcher and we don’t have to sign him after. Heck, we could even trade him for whatever we need next year.
Ok, Flowers was a good loss for us, but what about the others? Salty and Elvis are everyday starters for Texas. Tex is in New York now. That really sucked as a trade.
Again, it wouldn’t have hurt the Pirates to have gotten frenchy. Heck, they are already out of it…

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Edward – But its over and done. Now lets move towards firing TP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now we are starting to see eye to eye…

Other than a few good years with the braves when did that guy ever freaking hit.

I have never been impressed with him as a hitter. He had a few good years for average but .319 I think the year he got that batting title…

Job interview – Hitting Coach – MLB Level

Resume 1 batting title .319.

So Mr. Pendlton what was your career average…

Hysterical laughter ensues when he states. I hit a well rounded .270 for my career…

Mr Pendleton unfortunately you don’t qualify as a hitting coach. However we do have a position open on the grounds crew.

Jury’s out on this trade. The guy is at least proven so there is that…

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Younger – they didn’t have a radar gun in the ballpark. Not since Steve Urkel have I seen speed guessing like that.

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The Braves owed Tom Glavine nothing more than they owe any other player. Tommy G didn’t owe the Braves anything when he decided to leave for the Mets. It’s a business. The Braves gave Glavine an opportunity to prove his worthiness in the minor leagues, and they determined he wasn’t the best option. I am disappointed that Glavine would insinuate that the Braves owed him more than he received the second time around – surely he can see that the team has better, cheaper options at this point. He was a tremendous player and he gave us many great moments, but it is time to move on.

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Wes, you dont get it. Gorkys is one of the top 100 prospects in all of MLB. The Braves just traded him away, and threw in a very good pitching prospect for a career .260 hitter. Mclouth was an All Star because he played for the Pirates. Thats it. We are not talking about Jason Bay or even Xavier Nady.

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Wren Report Card:

Smoltz Move: A+
Glavine Move A+

Next…..

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FIRE PENDLETON AND HIRE CHIPPERS DAD!!!!!!!

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I am glad we made the trade. You play to win now. The braves have been talking about next year for to long now.

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Edward, no team, the Pirates included, is going to accept Jeff Franceour in any trade. If the Braves were to cut him…then sure, I could see some team giving him the minimum salary and giving him a chance. However, with what he will be asking for in salary arbitration next year, no team is going to want him at that price.

So getting on Frank Wren for not doing the impossible (trading Franceour) is not fair.

I do have to correct myself. The only possible bad contract after this season on the books is Kawakami. He’ll be owed approximately $7.5 mil in both 2010 and 2011. However, he still has the potential to make the adjustments to become a good pitcher. He’s 2 months into his first season. He has shown that he can make some quality starts. He just needs to be more consistent. However his contract could turn out to be a bargain. Still, if he becomes a bust, it wont be at the prices that the Braves paid Smoltz, Glavine, or Hampton in 2008, nor the $15.5 mil the Braves are paying Hudson this year. The book is still out on Kawakami.

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Pretend- ur a broken record. We got a stud CF with pop and gave up a guy who was never going to play with us to get him. Move on.

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are we going to face the same situation when Hudson gets off the DL?

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What in the heck does TP got to do with this Glavine issue? I guess he is reason Chipper been hurt too. Stop blaming him for all batting issues, there is no excuse cause these guys make too much money and they need to make plays regardless. For money Chipper makes and cries Franceour makes, these guys need to score runs, every day and night.

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Hey look, now we are wasting our bullpen and we do not have many bench players left.

Guess why? Dumbass Bobby Cox didn’t bunt the leadoff man over in the bottom of the 9th. He could have bunted with Mike Gonzalez and saved Garrett Anderson’s bat for later.

It would have also put a man in scoring position for Blanco and Chipper. Instead, we put in some kid who has never been in the majors who got caught stealing after Anderson flied out.

BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD BASEBALL! Cox SUCKS!

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Fact of the matter is whether it was money or not is that if Hanson is going to give us a chance to pitch better than they made the right move. And remember If Jordan and Frenchy werent struggling so much, they may not have to cut Glavine to trade for another bat, esp a CF. And they still maybe a bat short.

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Father of five… You really need to think more into the story line here. Glavine isnt ready. They watched him and he cant do it. They told him that he just didnt have it. They tell him to retire and do it as a brave. But he wants to try and pitch still so we release him.
we cant afford to allow him on the mound and him turn around and then quit. we need players and if he steps on that mound we owe him millions just for the contract agreement.
if they keep making moves. I might want to try and go back to a game.
Glavine is a money man. It was all about the money when he went to the mets and it was about the money now.

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Reid Adair…..I did not want the Braves to sign Smoltz either. However, I do understand what Wren was trying to do. He wanted to do the same thing with Smoltz that he did with Glavine. However Boston was foolish enough to offer Smoltz $5.5 mil guaranteed.

I understand Frank Wren having to placate many of you sentimental Braves fans with a “song and dance” about making an effort to make it look like he was trying to sign Smoltz. But it would not have been a smart thing economically for the Braves to do. I’m glad that Smoltz left.

How can you say that the Braves off season went “poorly”? Were there speed bumps along the way? Sure. But how can you say that adding Lowe and Vazquez to the starting rotation is a bad thing? It isnt how you start…it’s how you finish is what matters. You cannot blame Frank Wren on what happened with Furcal and Burnett. They werent serious about signing with the Braves. Some of you want to talk about “class”, how was what Furcal’s agent did “classy”? It’s a dog eat dog world. Professional sports is a cutthroat business. Remember that.

Kawakami may not be a “stud” right now. However he is getting into the 6th and 7th innings consistently….in other words he is not a strain on the bullpen. That in itself means a lot.

Garrett Anderson may have gotten off to a slow start, however he is starting to heat up. Besides, his contract of $2 mil is very team friendly.

And acquiring McClouth is a big move. Some of you guys must be smoking some serious bad shyt if you guys believe that the Braves are worse off than last year. Is this a finished product? Of course not. However, we are much better off than last year.

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here comes another loss to a .500 team at home that should have been a win. What a season this COULD have been.

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Pitching is weak enough in the majors that Glavine is likely to make it somewhere.

MB – any idea who would want a 43 year old lefty coming off major surgery who’s old team says 85mph is a pipe dream?

Whether Glavine signs somewhere quickly will tell you if he still has anything left in the tank. I want the team to win, and McClouth adds a solid bat and defense to the outfield, for 4 years, and Hanson is who we have all been wanting to see. You guys remember what Charlie Morton did last year? Nothing. He has potential, but when given an extended chance to demonstrate it, he didn’t.

If the Braves could find a left coast team that wants Kawakami, I’d love to see him go. Any chance the Dodgers or Angels might be interested?

Hate to see Glavine go, and it’s sad he didn’t get to prove whether he has it still in a Braves uniform, but, it’s time to move on.

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Paul Lentz, I never said I thought Smoltz should have stayed. I said Frank Wren shouldn’t have lied.

There’s no way for you, I or anyone outside of the folks directly involved to know what really happened with Rafael Furcal or A.J. Burnett. I don’t think Furcal’s agent has an ounce of class, but I also have doubts that the Braves organization is as “innocent” in that fiasco as they would have everyone believe.

I am not concerned about “team friendly” contracts as much as I would like to see acquisitions that help the organization WIN games.

I never said acquiring McClouth wasn’t a big move, and I also never said that the Braves are worse off than last year.

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I think Dereck Lee just tagged up on another foul pop up lol. And someone said Diaz was a solid outfielder.

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Mark’s right: Time waits for no man. Thanks Glavine. Please retire and go into the Hall of Fame with Maddux.

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Braves back at .500. Bennett blew it. 5.5 games back.

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We make fun of Glavine, but the Braves just got worked by a lefty who can’t reach 90 and Kevin Gregg.

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Towner, I haven’t laughed that hard since at least 10:31. Thanks for that knee slapper.

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plate appearance…
You must not forget that we dont know the whole story. Glavine may have known the whole time. You just dont know.
But you also have to realize. The braves have to make the moves to help the team.
Glavine said it best when he left. “its a business”

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To everyone calling the Braves “classless” – this is a baseball team…a business. Not an episode Barney. The objective is to put the best team out there and make sure that it makes financial sense. Not to make everybody feel good about themselves.
It doesn’t make sense to bring back Glavine when there are a lot of better options.

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Glavine showed no loyalty to the Braves when he left for NY and deserved no loyalty in return. He made big $ last year and did not produce (Hampton script). If he was a horse he would be taken behind the barn and shot. He has a lame arm and is washed up. He would have been savaged by major league hitters with his 70 MPH fastball if he was allowed to pitch. It is just about the money now for Glavine. He can’t quit gracefully, with some dignity. He needs to pad his retirement some more. He will leave Atl and his family for a few more $. Quite the measure of his manhood.

Let’s face it, the Braves need to rebuild and cannot compete with the elite teams. Great move, so long Tom.

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Mrs P – well said. He is a class act and a good guy. Bad PR move, Bravos. He still had it in him – shouldhave given him a chance.
Only crybabies still harbor a grudge – hmmmmm, would we have a World Series title without him??? NOT

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John… would we have a world series ring without him. Probably not.
But there comes a time to admit you cant play anymore.
We are trying to win here.

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I BET GLAVINE SIGNS WITH THE PHILLIES!

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Frank Wren is a clown. Give Glavine Wren’s job!

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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.

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come on over to boston they throw away money like crazy over here.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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I bet none of you guys who hate Bobby Cox can every be a coach of any thing in atlanta you jerks.

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good going frank wren keep doing the job you have been doing.

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i bet you can do any better than chipper or frenchy

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and it would stink up the place even more

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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.

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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.

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All good things must come to end…thanks for the memories and the ‘95 World Series MVP effort. You’ll be missed.

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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.

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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.

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Tom, please retire so you and Maddux can enter Cooperstown together!

.

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Tom Glavine has one foot in the Brave – oops, I mean grave.

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He and Smoltzy are talking on the phone right now, bad mouthing the Braves.

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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!!!

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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Suckers.

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Dang … 4 rehab starts at $250,000 per? wah, boohoo…
“stringing” him along .. what crapola that is.
Tommy … you lost me in ‘94.
It’s just business, baby

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A great article, Mark. I agree and disagree with a lot of the folks speaking out. Glavine was great for the Braves–no question. But in my opinion people should defer to the GM in certain situations, if not because you respect him, then because he has so much more information. Wren, et al, gets info from scouts everyday. He is in a better position to know how far away G. Hernandez and C. Morton are from being major leaguers and if he feels they are 3-5 years away and that does not fit into the current plan then that creates one scenario. If the info is different, that is another. For those talking about the embarrassment Wren has been in the postseason, “Wow.” I remember last year thinking we better win with Hudson and Jurrjens because our very best bet was to win 1 of 3 with our last three. Now we have three quality starters, a pitcher who shows promise (KK), and a future-phenom. Not to mention, next year you can add a #2 starter to that in Hudson. For people to say
Wren is embarrassing because of this is beneath ignorant and beyond sad. All that being said, best of luck to Glavine.

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I was at the game that Glavine pitched last night. He only gave up 3 hits (all hard) but was backed up by some outstanding defense in the game too. Seeing Glavine that last time live for me was quite exciting and I am glad I was there and that things worked out the way they did. I was shocked to hear the news today, but at the same time I had to keep reminding myself that, in my personal opinion, I don’t think that Glavine is a better solution to the number 5 spot in the pitching order over anybody we currently have. Then I heard that Hanson had been called up and we traded for McClouth and I now fully understand that Wren and the Braves upper management are shooting for the Division THIS YEAR!

Sentamentally it is a sad day to see Glavine, the next-to-last 300 game winner, go, but at the same time I am pumped to see that Wren is making moves to make the Braves successful now. I was spoiled by the run of 14 straight and am ready to see the Braves back in the playoffs… THIS YEAR!

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You are all boohooing because these guys “used” to be the best. They are wayyyy past their prime. Quit your crying about the way it was handled. They gave the guy and opportunity and it didn’t work out. If he had shown that he had his stuff back, then he would have been put into the rotation. I know it’s hard but the Glavine needs to be put out to pasture. I can guarantee you all that if he signs with any other team it, he is just going to be dead weight. He has not done well at all in the last few years. Age does that to you. This sentimental thing only goes so far. Fans want WINS.

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Those of you who have a problem with Glavine being released are probably brain heavy on your feelings and not your thinking. The people that critique these decisions based on their feelings are the same group that think that Sid Bream should still be on the Braves. Glavine’s career was finished when he was injured last year. It was worth one more run for Glavine and the Braves this year because they both needed each other, but ultimately he had no role on the roster when you have young guns waiting to pitch in the majors. The Braves gave him an opportunity this year, but prolonged injuries deemed him unreliable as a starter. Glavine had a great career with the Braves and that should not be forgotten, but I don’t think you jeopardize your team’s chance of winning just because you like the guy no matter who it is. I just pictured Glavine filling in that 5th starter role and getting shelled and costing us quality starts and maybe even a shot at the playoffs. Cox would have been put in awkward position and because of his loyalty would have left him in games too long just as he did in the 2002 playoffs. In the 2002 playoffs Glavine had a 15.26 ERA in two games and lost both games for the Braves. And that was 7 years ago. We’ll miss you Tommy and thanks for all the great times and games, but it is time for us all to move on. I hope he does land somewhere and proves us wrong, but the Braves are doing the right thing. Note to Braves’ GM though: Don’t ever bring back a player that has previously donned the Braves jersey (i.e. Otis Nixon, Terry Pendleton, Julio Franco etc.). Take care Tommy G and good luck to you!

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Fans are too sentimental about players. The team’s goal is to win ballgames, not to keep old players around like a dog you hate to put down. Root for the uniform but don’t get attached to what’s in them. Braves fans put up a fuss before when their little favorites get sent along, but that’s the way it is. Do you want to collect memories or win ballgames? The big three were great, the best ever, but they’re done, all of them. Time to move on and embrace the future. If you can’t do that, then give your tickets to a real fan who wants to watch a team win NOW, not just reminisce about the 90s. As for how it was done, what other way? Would you have preferred them to put Glavine out there and get knocked out in the second inning four or five times, then cut him in humiliation with a 9.00 ERA? That would be much worse in my view. I think they didn’t want to put him through that. I doubt any team will take him based on the Braves’ evaluation of how he was pitching. Doesn’t matter how many bush leaguers he got out; it’s the big leagues. They have tiny ballparks, rock-hard maple bats, a tiny strike zone and massive sluggers. Pitchers need every tool in the bag to get hitters out, and Tommy just doesn’t have them any more. He should have retired last year, though I tip my cap to him for giving it a shot. Anyway, couple of years from now he and Smoltzie will get their numbers retired at the Ted and all will be right. Many a player has been cast off only to realize in time that it was for the best.

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Hey, screw you buddy!

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Complete B.S. don’t think I’ll ever call myself a Braves fan after today. Completely DISGUSTED.

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To all you haters: I like Wren, he’s got a huge set of cojones. And its just what they need right now.

Glavine was a safety net & PR for the Smoltz deal. Loved Tommy G but sentiments don’t win games.

Now is McLouth gonna hit behind chipper or Bmac or is he better off as lead off …. and is Wren still looking for another outfielder (RF)?

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I went to see Glavine pitch for the Rome Braves on Tuesday evening. He was certainly effective in that he pitched six shutout innings. And he threw strikes. But he wasn’t fooling Class A hitters and would have given up some run if not for some strong defensive plays behind him. He also gave up a number of at-em balls.
For nostalgia reasons, I left the game hopeful that he would do well when he got the call to Atlanta. But I couldn’t help feeling he never showed big-league stuff in his rehab peformance. I understand the Braves’ hard decision Wednesday. As much as I like and admire Glavine, after seeing him pitch Tuesday, it’s hard to argue with the logic of the Brave’s choice.

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So, what the heck are the Braves going to do with Schafer (our can’t miss prospect) for the next four years now that he’s stonewalled by McClouth? Going to trade him? Going to let him rot in the minors? I can’t imagine how bad this kid’s going to have his confidence shaken by Frank “Can’t Even Last a Year in Baltimore” Wren.

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Brad,

If you holding onto Glavine would be stringing out a sentimental memory of some sort then what do you call throwing Kris Medlen out there the last three times? They act like it’s 1988.

“Well, nobody’s perfect in their first outing.” Yeah, but this isn’t Chuck Tanner’s Braves. I don’t even care if he won his last start or is going to the bullpen now. Tom Glavine put everything into a final comeback and they won’t even let him have one last shot when he’s done everything he’s needed to do?

We lost the heart and soul of this team today. This organization hasn’t a soul anymore.

But if that’s what they think it takes to win then they better damn well win everything.

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I have and always will appreciate Tom Glavine. I think he out of everyone involved in this blessing understands that its just “Business.”
Where did he run off to a few years ago for the better deal? Well Hanson is the BETTER DEAL NOW, and I am truly excited for Saturdays game. I think Nate is going to shine, and Im more than pleased to See our new GM finally get an opportunity to show what he can do. Do you fair weather Braves fans actually believe former GM John S would leave the reigns to an idiot? You have to wait for the RIGHT OPPORTUNITY as opposed to what is the most attractive at the time. Again, anyone remember giving up Adam Wainwright for JD DREW? And where are they now? As far as RF # 7, i dont even want to say his name right now. He desperately needs to play a game of wiffle ball and just relax. That front shoulder opens to early, plus over aggression creates terrible habits. With TP, The BEST HITTER I HAVE EVER SEEN CJ #10, Matt Diaz, how is this guy not getting it. The strikeout with the bases loaded says it all. The guy has all the tools no doubt, but he needs to learn to adjust mentally, or maybe he needs to watch more tape because it seems the only person who doesnt know what the pitcher is gonna throw Jeffy 7 is Jeffy 7. It blows my mind that he cannot hit a ball to RF with the same swing he would any other time, plus hard. LET THE BALL GET DEEP, TRUST YOUR HANDS, BE PATIENT, SWING AT STRIKES, RELAX, REMAIN CCC : COOL, CALM, COLLECTIVE.

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I want to see McLouth out there tomorrow first thing and I want him to hit a three run homerun to win or I’m going to be pissed. I don’t have any reason to think he alone is going to help turn around this season.

This is absolutely shameful. If it wasn’t for Tom Glavine this city would be the biggest joke in all of professional sports. I don’t give a ****. He doesn’t deserved to be treated this way.

It’s disgaceful.

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It is nice to see Pittsburgh Pirate fans come on here and let us know how good McClouth is. Many of you guys are so hung up on prospects. How many “future” superstar Major Leaguers do you think that the average team has in their minor league system? It isnt like the Braves gave up a Hanson, Medlen, Heyward, or Freeman. I feel that those 4 have far more potential than the 3 prospects that the Braves gave up. This deal reminds me of the Fred McGriff trade. Can any of you name the 3 bums that we gave up in that deal? I recall back then that many fans said that the Braves gave up too much for McGriff.

There are so many upsides to McClouth. He is under the control of the Braves for the next FOUR years. Prime years, from 27-31 years old. And under a very team friendly contract. Dude has a good arm, can run, hit for power, and has some pop in his bat and can play some centerfield. From the “proposed” trades that many of you come up with…..if Frank Wren had gotten Albert Pujols instead of McClouth, many of you STILL would have complained about who the Braves gave up. I’m not saying that McClouth is as good as Pujols. However McClouth is a very good centerfielder who significantly upgrades the position.

Franceour still needs to go. Last night’s home run just delayed the inevitable. The Braves are still in need of a right handed power bat. However, I’m confident that there is still a trade out there that Frank Wren can make. This trade did nothing to hurt acquiring a right handed power bat. In fact, releasing Glavine made the payroll actually go down today, even when you include the rest of McClouth’s contract for this year.

You Glavine supporters are so unreal. Glavine could really care less about you guys. He wants to get paid and still play. Sure he wanted to do it in Atlanta because he wants to see his kids. However, if playing in Atlanta was “that important” then he would have stayed when he was a free agent 6 years ago.

Bottom line, the Braves paid $1 mil to have him around as “insurance” or “a back-up option” in case the other 4 starters got hurt or bombed out…or…if Hanson Medlen werent ready to play at the Major League level. We kept him around for 2 months. In the whole scheme of things, $1 mil is cheap…especially compared to the $3.75 mil that the Braves are paying Franceour to stink up the place.

Personally, I feel that these moves went a long ways towards making the Braves a better team, both now and in the long run. I’m anxious to see what else Braves management has planned.

Comparing last year’s roster to this year’s is like comparing night and day. If the Braves can acquire a legit right handed bat to play right field and plug him in the clean-up spot of the order….I feel that that will be the final piece that the Braves need to make a run at this thing.

Also, as far as the “Tex” trade 2 years ago, it remains to be seen if any of those “prospects” pan out. Andrus so far looks like all glove and no pop in his bat. Harrison is battling arm problems. Salty is a switch hitting Franceour. The others just have potential. None of those guys that the Braves gave up are anywhere close to being solid, everyday major leaguers. Just because some sports commentators “rave” about so and so’s potential, does not mean that they are going to make the Hall of Fame.

Remember, the Braves traded Edgar Renteria for Jair Jurrgens and Gorkys Hernandez. So in essence, you could say that the Braves gave up Renteria for both Jurrgens and McClouth (Morton and the other kid will not be anything more than, at best, 5th starter or mop-up bullpen guys). Now wouldnt you guys call the Renteria trade a “steal”?

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This may be a stretch of an analogy but remember that Terry Pendleton left the Braves after 1994 because Chipper was ready to make the move to the majors. TP was great for the Braves from 1991 to 1994, but what if we had signed him again in 1995 and held Chipper back another year? Would we have won the WSeries in 1995? We’ll never know and TP actually had a very good year with the Marlins, but you have to go with the young potential stars over the aging veterans especially those coming off major surgery.

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As Bradley stated, Glavine was pilloried for his role in the 1994 strike. Bradley is dead wrong in suggesting that it wasn’t justified.

Glavine’s a cinch for the Hall of Fame with 305 victories. Let him take the honor as a New York Met. He showed no loyalty to Braves’ fans when he bolted for New York. Let him live with that decision and the many times he took the mound for the Mets only to be ripped time after time. What did that disloyalty cost him…10…20…30 more victories?

Frankly, I was disappointed when the Braves picked up back up, even more so when they paid him millions more to suck the organization dry. Glavine received what he wished for – millions more dollars past his prime. Let him go with best wishes and good riddance.

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It was time to left Glavine go. Im sure he will have a better retierment then I will on my cop salary. I think he will be ok.

I love the trade, I hope we get one more right handed thumper.

Thanks Tommy, but it was time to move on. The 1990’s are not going to win us games anymore. Hanson and the new guys are.

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I have loved Tom Glavine since he arrived in the late 80s. I have a #47 Jersey. But the Braves need serious pitching and offensive help. They could not afford to spen 4-5mil on a weak armed pitcher for sentimental reasons. It isn’t fair to the team. Wren had to determine if the $ was better spent on Glavine or getting OF help – it was the right decision. Tom may well pitch somewhere but it won’t last. As for Smoltz – well good riddance. 15mil last year for nothing and he has yet to throw a pitch in a game. he got his widdo feewings hurt? too bad. He should have pitched for free this year.

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I was one of the 5,105 fans at the Rome game Tuesday night. I was sitting behind home plate and Tommy still has the ability to get hitters out. I am sure some will say that is minor league hitters but he could still help the Atlanta Braves. Don’t forget the games Jamie Moyer has won the last two years. I am sure some other team will pick up Glavine, I just hope it is a American League team and he doesn’t come back to haunt the Braves.

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I wish the Tom Glavine situation had been handled better.But it definitely was the right move.Tommy Hanson should have made the rotation out of spring training.He was ready then and certainly is Now!!Tom Glavine was a Great pitcher for us and I will always cherish the memories he gave us.But the Braves Goals are trying to win a World series.Sentimentality does not help accomplish that.I wish him and John Smoltz well.Also I really like the Mcclouth trade.I wish we did not have to give up Gorkys Hernandez but who else could we give them Franceour?(I WISH) But We still have Jayson Heyward waiting to take Franceours place and Freddie Freeman in the near future.I just wish we could get rid of Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton.Rumor has it that Cox will retire next year and that they already have a agreement with Phillies 3rd base coach Ned Yost to take over next year.I personally do not like this move either.Would love to have Joe Torre back we should have never fired him way back when.Kick Cox upstairs he is a a good judge of talent.But I do not like him as a manager.If you gave someone else the chance to manage during those years I think we come away with more than 1 Championship.Wish we could hire Tony Gwynn away from his head coaching position at SanDiego State to be our hitting coach.Anyway enough ranting on that.One more decent bat and we really Have a shot whether it come from within meaning the afore mentioned Jayson Heyward or from somebody elses firesale.The starting rotation is sound and with Tommy Hansons presence should only get better and I think Kawakami will steadily improve and they all will if we start hitting and scoring runs.It is just easier that way:))and the bench is solid hopefully Norton will find his stroke.Middle relief could use some improvement though.So lets let go of the past and try to win 14 world series titles instead of just collecting division titles.

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Jamie Moyer won 30 games in 2007 and 2008, to say a so called soft tosser can’t win games is just wrong. Would Glavine win 30 games the rest of this year and next maybe not but 20 would be a real possibility and that is more than Kawakami will have won in this year and the next combined.

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I CANT WAIT TO SEE THIS HEADLINE FOR BOBBY COX!!!!!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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(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.

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Maybe Wren shoudll be reevaluated

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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…….

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Let the greedy bastard go some place else. He will always represent what is wrong with baseball players to me.

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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!

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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

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‘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!

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Feel the same way, should have never signed this traitor 2 years ago. When Glavine signed with the Mets, he became the enemy.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Please, Tom, don’t go the route of a bitter QB who wears jersey number 4. It is beneath you–

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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?

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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.

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I told Tom HGH was the way to go…..He should have talked to Roger!!!!

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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.

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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$$!!!!!!

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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.

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“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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tommy’s a real pro – we’ll miss him terribly, but wish him all the best!

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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.

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Wish both Glavine and Smoltz had just retired gracefully the way
Maddox did. Instead, they became pathetic figures.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!!!!

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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.

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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.

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Steve Carlton was another Hall of Fame lefty who tried to stay in the game a few seasons too long. I understand. The game is the player’s life. If Glavine actually pitched well in rehab, then some team with a good young staff will want him just to work with their younger pitchers.

He was a great pitcher (and hitter). Unfortunately, baseball is a game of very small margins and is cruel to its veteran heroes, except for a few.

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Mark,

you ask a good question. The honorable thing to do was to tell him (we are not going to sign you, and let him retire). You know that Tommy said he would come back only to pitch for the Braves. He had the surgeries, he did the rehab. He didn’t complain. He did everything he was asked to do b/c he was told he would get a shot at starting for this Braves team in 2009. The Braves organization comes out looking like a bunch of liers in this case. Once they addressed the SP issues with D-Lowe, Vazquez and Kawakami, knowing they had Hanson in waiting, plust JJJ already an established front line starter, plus Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton (as 5th starter options if anyone went down with an injury), if you know you are going to have SO MUCH suprlus in SP, why even SIGN Glavine?

Did Wren or anyone ever answer this question? Why? You have the depth in the SP, I just listed all your possible starters (not even going to include Medlen in the group, but as it turned out to be you can add him now).

Truth is…I understand business, but to say it’s not personal is BS to the 10th degree. All that means is that it wasn’t personal to you. That’s all that phrase means. It’s personal to Glavine, and to loyal Braves fans who DON’T want to see our HOF players “ran out of town” like career journeyman.

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Why is it low class to let the guy rehab up to the last minute before letting him go? Seems to me if they had cut him weeks ago as suggested by some here, then ya’ll would be moaning and groaning about not giving him a chance to get well. I think there are some fans who just can’t see anything but bad in Braves management no matter what they do. Fact is, knowing they could have pitching issues, they signed an old, injured and certainly formally great player as insurance in the hope that he’d rehab and have something left to contribute. Unfortuneately, he wasn’t ready when they needed him in April and apparently he wasn’t equal to the talent they had available now. The Braves did what a team should do: compared the people available to take the roster spot and called up the best availbale arm. Wins are too precious right now for a couple of sentimental starts.

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Mine This Bird…SPOT ON,Brother! I, for one, am old enough to remember when Turncoat Tommy both cost us some games…PLAYER REP!…
…and then ran to the METS of all teams…saying how much he hated to leave Atlanta…He’s always demonstrated attention to SELF…and should not be surprised, nor act hurt, when the mutual un-kindness is returned!

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The next Braves game I attend, or watch, will be when they start Smoltz or Glavine on the mound. Until then, they can drop dead. They have no class whatsoever.

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So, it was business decision for Glavine to go to the Mets? it was in his best interest. understood.

why then do we rake Wren over the coals for making wht he feels is in the best interest of the Braves?

it’s okay for a player to bolt on an organization but when a club tells a guy it’s not going to work, it is considered betrayal.

i am Glavine fan. i am Braves fan. i think this was handled well. Smoltz, not so much. this situation, yes.

GO BRAVES!

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Supes,

I recall just a few weeks ago after a setback in his rehab, that Glavine said he might hang it up for good…It’s obvious now, that Glavine still wants to pitch, but a struggling team like the Braves can’t afford the luxury of carrying someone whose pitching they deem not good enough for the big leagues any longer…It can’t be easy for someone like Glavine who’s is relatively young in the real world, but old for baseball to come to the realization that his pitching ability is just not there anymore..Tommy still wanting to pitch, makes this a situation that can’t end happily ever after for everyone at this moment. But, in time, all the wounds will heal and Glavine, Smoltz & Maddux will go into the HOF as Braves.

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Mark,

Thanks for the response.

If after I read your article on TP, and realize that I might be wrong about some of the things that I’ve said about him. Could you go back and erase all the spiteful things I wrote? LOL

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One more ‘hanger-on’ in the baseball world to finally get the boot, and not a moment too soon. Appears that Glavine is taking the “Steve Carlton” route to the HOF… certainly takes the ’spit shine’ off a damn nice career… oh well

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So the Braves bring back a future HOF fr a goodbye tour and then cut him. Yeah, Karma gonna bit your ass for this.

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Look, baseball is great; the business of baseball stinks. But that’s business.

I’m a big fan of future Hall of Famer Tommy Glavine. But had Glavine been able to make the Mets work, he may very well have stayed in NYC. He returned to the Braves for personal, not professional, reasons. He didn’t come back to Atlanta out of loyalty to the Braves.

As to just dumping Glavine, agreed. Wren could have handled it better. Give Glavine a contract as a roving intstructor. His experience and success can be very valuable to future Braves’ pitchers.

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I recall after Mr. Glavine helped to engineer the strike in 94 (last time I EVER attended a MLB game) that he made the statement that “the fans have an obligation to come see us play”. To hell with Glavine. What goes around, comes around. Retire and enjoy your millions, you bum.

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OK NOW GET RID OF FRENCHY AND BRING ON SOMEBODY WHO CAN HIT

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about time Atlanta ditched the box of tissues and sentimentality and started getting a little cut throat and serious about winning! WELL DONE GM Wren!!! I am going to go to more games now, I go to games to watch wins, not to watch ancient Hall of Famers rub ben-gay on and throw high 70’s, let’s throw some flames over that plate

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It was about time for Tommy to go, but it was classless the way it was done. Tommy gave everything he had to the Braves organization and also GAVE THEM THEIR ONLY WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP. Remember, Tommy pitched a gem in the deciding game in the world series and without Tommy’s spectacular effort, the Cleveland Indians would have won the series in 1995. What does Tommy get in return for helping the Braves win the world series; Tommy Terrific gets kicked out on the streets. Boy, what a wonderful organization the Braves are. I will never, ever watch another Braves game as long as I live.

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This is the second time that the Braves have disrespected Tom Glavine.
When Glavine signed with the Mets, the Braves management made Glavine look as though he was the blame for leaving the Braves, painting Glavine as being greedy. Now this abrupt release of Glavine after tricking Glavine into thinking he was tuning himself up in the minor leagues to return to the big club. What a dirty trick by the Braves organization. Truth be told, Tommy was also washed up and could not longer pitch in the big leagues. I wonder why Bobby Cox didnt call Tommy into his office and tell him his services were no longer needed. Instead, Tommy is sent to a Triple-A farm team, Tommy pitches like Cy Young, then is told he is ready for the major leagues. So instead of carving out a space on the Braves roster, Tommy is dumped into the incinerator never to pitch for the Braves again. Well, thank God Tommy can still pitch and should catch on with another ball club and continue to add to his illustrious win total.

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Big, gigantic mistake! Tom Glavine’s speed, accuracy and Stamina would beat out Any 20 year old! He was perfectly ready to go, then Mr. Wren, just pulls the rug out! You are an idiot! Peter Moylan, Jeff Bennett, Buddy Carlyle, Jorge Campillo, James Parr or even Mike Gonzalez or Jo-Jo Reyes should be gone! Same crap done to Jordan Schafer, fantastic CF, yeah, kinda sucked offensively, but he improved greatly in the last month, then demoted! You guys are screwed up. You demote somebody for improvements and then before even giving Glavine a chance freaking at all, ditch him! You will pay for it, though. And all those who disagree here, anywhere, are either too young, ignorant, or both to know any better. I’ve been a Braves fan since about 1987 – I know the Braves well. I’ve been watching this year more intently than ever; haven’t missed a game, save the 1st 3. Frank Wren, you’ve just cost the Braves any chance at all at winning just the NL Championship, so much for Any freaking hopes at the World Series now!

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SaulRunigan, are you for real? Do you really think the Braves signed Glavin just so they could “trick” him into the minors and disrespect him? Puleeeze! If they thought he could still pitch he’d be on the roster. Somebody remind me what his ERA was in his AAA starts, I don’t remember him pitching like Cy Young down there.

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It’s freakin’ hilarious to read these posts from people that think the Braves organization had these evil intentions to string Glavine along and then blow him out just when he’s ready to make a triumphant return. Who in their right mind would believe that the front office just wanted to screw him over? Give me a break. Their business is to evaluate baseball talent and make a decision on which players would give the TEAM the best possible opportunity to win. I’ll trust judgement of baseball professionals over these emotionally charged bloggers who let sentiment get in the way of rationale.

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Will you all get over the way Tommy was let go. Everybody that has a compliant seems to want to hang on to the good old glory days. You think we owe everybody from those days special treatment. I love those guys just as much as the next person but I also want to see a winner on the field again, and if anyone cares we have not made the playoffs in three years.Giving Tommy 1 million $$$$$$$$$$$$ just as a show of loyalty will not change that fact. They already did him a favor by signing him to the contract they did. Do you think anybody else would have done that at the start of training camp. If you think so you do not know baseball!! I am a true BRAVES fan and want nothing more for my kids than for them to enjoy the same winning teams that I enjoyed growing up. The only way for that to happen is for someone to have the balls to make the tough decisions. Thanks Frank!!!

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Booo hooo.

Glavine should never have been picked up at all after leaving the Mets. He got SHELLED there… never started here… Got SHELLED in Gwinnett. Oh yea… he pitched mildy well in one game in Rome. Wow.

See ya Tommy. Should have retired 2 years ago…but hey the extra cash didnt hurt in the meanwhile. We forget these people are multi-multi millionaires. Its big business… stop crying for him or any of them. You do poorly = you’re out! I dont want to hear about how someone is “treated” and “respect” for all the previous years of service.

Whatever. You people are so stupid.

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Re your caption under the picture to find anyone with Glavine’s jersey on, try to find someone with anyone’s jersey on. If Frank’s and Bobby’s boys keep playing like they have been, the few fans that do show up will probably be wearing paper bags on their heads. Please explain why Schafer was kept on the roster for two months!

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It was the right move, but handled totally wrong. First off, the Braves shouldnt give us the hoo-ha about the issue being Glavine’s velocity. 22 year career and velocity aint ever been an issue with, or a key to, Glavine’s success. Second, giving him 3 rehab starts and every indication he was wanted back and then poof see-ya is totally classless.
Come out and admit it. They played Glavine as an insurance policy until they felt certain Hanson was ready.

Not that Glavine never played the Braves – but two wrongs dont make a right

Classless way to handle a legitimate albeit tricky-to-execute-well move by what has become a classless organization

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I, for one, don’t understand all the folks that are so disappointed in what the Braves organization needed to do. Glavine left for NY to get paid (financial decision) so what if now the Braves need to make a financial decision based on his perceived potential effectiveness as a major league pitcher after rehab. If he still has anything left, some other team will gladly pick him up and he’ll get paid….so chill!!!!

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I am far from being a San Francisco 49ers fan (growing up in Arkansas, I’m a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan). However I totally respect what the late Bill Walsh said: “It is better to get rid of a player a year early….than to get rid of him a year late”. The Niners traded Joe Montana. He went on to have 2 good years with the Chiefs before retiring. The Niners werent saying that Montana couldnt play anymore. The were saying that it was time for Steve Young to play (He led them to the Super Bowl during Montana’s last year in Kansas City). The Niners also cut Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, and Jerry Rice….who all played several more seasons before retiring. All 4 of those guys are Hall of Fame players. As much as I hate the Niners, letting those 4 guys go was the ABSOLUTE best thing to do.

However many of you guys simply cannot look past that. You get so attached to these guys (kind of like how a crack addict gets addicted to crack), that you cant reason with logic. Get over it. If you are truly a Braves fan, then embrace the moves that Frank Wren made yesterday. Use some logic and try to understand why yesterday was a “proud” moment for the Braves.

Big Picture………I’m not with you on getting rid of Chipper. Sure, he gets hurt. But man, the guy can still hit. He simply produces when he plays. Plus he puts fear and stress on the opposing pitcher. When Infante comes back, the Braves will be able to rest Chipper a little more, take him out when the game has already been decided.

tulsabrave…how can you call Frank Wren a “bum”? Did you even watch the Braves last year? The health of the starting rotation is like night and day compared to last year. Our starters, even when they struggle, consistently go 6-7 innings, keeping the Braves in the ballgame. Paying 2, injury prone, 43 year old past their prime pitchers precious payroll dollars is not the smart thing to do.

KGrove….uh….I hope that the Phillies follow your suggestion of signing Glavine and only pitching him against the Braves. Why dont you look up the Glavine’s stats when he pitched against the Braves for the Mets? We “owned” him. And now he is even older and lost whatever zip he had left. In fact I’m hoping that either the Mets or Phillies will sign him. That will help the Braves. Us subtracting a “bum”, a division adding a “bum”. (when I say “bum”, I mean about “current production’).

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When Glavine signed with the Mets, he showed us no loyalty, so he deserves none now.

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I agree with you Luke Merriman: Releasing Glavine so harshly and so coldly was a chance for the Braves to get even with Glavine for leaving to go to the Mets years ago. The Braves were waiting for the right opportunity to seek revenge on Glavine and they were laying in the weeds waiting to strike and they saw this chance when they knew it would sting Glavs the most. The Braves baited Glavine into going to the minors saying that this was the chance for him to get tuned up and ready to come back into the rotation. As soon as Glavine was ready, the Braves threw the third switch and left Glavine out in the cold. In other words, as soon as Glavine finished his work at Triple-A, instead of the Braves waiting with open arms to welcome Glavine back and give him a roster spot, the Braves were waiting with the gloves to give Glavine the knockout punch sending him to the canvass for good.

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There is a right way and a wrong way to handle any situation. Frank, this was the prime example of the wrong way. String the guy along and just when he thinks he has made it back—-shoot him in the back. Talk about a dirty low down back shooting coyote. This should have been done during spring training-why sign the Glavine and then cut him in such a low down sneaky manner. Respect works both ways-except when it comes to braves management.

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All I can say is that I am glad that he is gone before he turned into another pitcher who “tweaks” his pec muscle and sits on the bench for 15-30 days, while still pulling in a paycheck. Come on folks! You were just as mad when they resigned him as you are now. “He’s too old!” you said.

And Mark, there is one Glavine jersey wearing fan in the crowd.

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The Braves handled Tom Glavine worst than Smoltz. If this was truely a performance issue why not give him a start or two in the “Bigs” and let his performance speak for itself.

The Braves resign Chipper Jones to a long – term contract knowing (I hope)that he can no longer play the field everyday and in fact will end up on the DL several times during this and every year.

Why not trade Chipper to an American League team where he can DH thus extend his career and the Braves can get some real value for him?

This would be a very smart long-term “performance” move for the Braves but would be a nightmare with the fans.

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Greedy Glavin, what did the Braves get for the first Million dollars they gave you this year? I would love a million just to go to physical therapy and rehab! You should be paying them. Handled badly, bull, you are all greed!!!

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They should have let him finish out the season and retire in Atlanta. Tommy Hanson will still be here to pitch next year and for years to come. Frank Wren is an idiot!

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