Tom Glavine speaks and does himself a disservice
“The last thing I want to do was come in here and sound like a bitter athlete,” Tom Glavine said on 790 The Zone this morning.
Call that a swing and a miss.
My favorite Brave ever went on the radio (link requires registration) and did himself a massive disservice. He sounded like a bitter athlete. He called the Braves liars. He called them cheap. He said he’d been “misled and mistreated to a certain extent.”
And also this: “It could have been handled a whole lot better … This organization sometimes boxes itself in. They don’t ever take into account [that some] guys deserve to be treated a little bit differently.”
Tom Glavine was treated differently. He was handed a million dollars coming off shoulder surgery at the ancient age of 43. No other team would have given him a job — or a dime — without first seeing if he could pitch. The Braves gave him a million dollars. Then they took a long look and decided he couldn’t.
And now he’s mad. He’s mad because he had to drive (his estimation) “an hour and a half” to pitch in Rome on Tuesday. He’s mad because he worked hard to get into shape only to be told he wasn’t good enough to make the Braves’ 25-man roster. Had he been told, Glavine said, he was going to have to audition for a place on the team, he wouldn’t have signed the contract.
Loading ...So there it is: If he was going to try and make a comeback, Tom Glavine wanted a guaranteed roster spot. At age 43. After arm surgery.
Folks, this is not college. Athletes — even great athletes, which Glavine indisputably is — don’t get tenure. There comes a time when every athlete must realize he’s no longer the guy he was at 25 or 35 and step aside. And too many of them simply don’t grasp that. Too many of them walk away blaming somebody else for the inexorable march of time.
Glavine said on 790 he probably wouldn’t show up at Turner Field to honor Greg Maddux in July. Because he’s mad. But you know what else made him mad? That the lying, penny-pinching Braves didn’t offer him a job as a pitching consultant or something. Glavine is so mad he wants to have it both ways — or, more precisely, all his way.
But he’ll get over it. Guys invariably do. He’ll step back and realize he’s no longer a big-league pitcher, and the Braves will call and say, “We’re putting up a statue of you — will you come for the unveiling?” and he’ll say, “Yeah, sure.” And he’ll show up and smile and forget he ever called the Braves liars and cheapskates and he’ll join the broadcast team and forget how mad he felt in June 2009.
Rip-A-Hall-Of-Famer Friday: In case you missed it, here’s what I thought of John Smoltz’s criticism of the Braves for releasing Glavine.
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545 comments Add your comment
Tale of Woe
June 5th, 2009
10:27 am
Glavine forgets that he jilted the Braves 5 years ago for more money. Smoltz and Glavine need to remember that the Braves did just as much for them as they did for the organization.
MB, you are on a roll…..
Chris
June 5th, 2009
10:29 am
And you forget that he changed his mind and tried to undo it. The only reason Glavine pitched for the Mets for those years was because the Braves were being petty. Just like today, and just like these last two columns and their responses.
BTW, how have the Orioles faired since Wren’s one year in charge? Welcome to that scenario, folks.
griftdrift
June 5th, 2009
10:29 am
Mark, the problem here is he did everything they asked him to do and when it was time for the Braves to live up to their end of the deal they didn’t. I’d be mad too. And it just makes me sad that the era is ending in bitterness everywhere. Back in 91, I told a friend that we really needed to savor this feeling because it would never be this good again. I always knew we’d reach the last chapter of the book, but I really hoped it would end better.
Tale of Woe
June 5th, 2009
10:35 am
I dont think the Braves were being petty 5 years ago. Because of Glavine’s position in the players union he needed to go where he was going to get the most money. Now he wants favors from the Braves. I just think he is wrong on this one.
Scott Womack
June 5th, 2009
10:37 am
Bradley you’re a #@$%#$%#$ idiot! Wake up and show some class! Business decision or not, it was handled with piss poor decency and class! That is the only point that Glavine is trying to make here. Any other town in America would be a little more respectful of the athlete that provided the city’s ONLY world championship in any sport! That’s not how you treat people! And Atlanta has botched the situation twice now with him!
Rex
June 5th, 2009
10:40 am
GOOD RIDDANCE !!! Tom “The fans don’t pay my salary” Glavine is bitter….Who cares…How bout the cancellation of the World Series you orchestrated in 94 Tommy Boy ? I am bitter..I went to 14 games that year…drove way over an hour & a half doing so. Bought overpriced beer & food and then had those games rendered usesless. And I was’nt making millions to drive tot he stadium like you, & I worked 5 days a week, not every 5th day. Cry me a river Glavine…my only regret is that your left arm did’nt peter aout BEFORE you won 300. You will be the LEAST DESERVING HOF player in MLB history. Good Riddance !
Rex
Mark Bradley
June 5th, 2009
10:40 am
I absolutely concur, Tale of Woe. I thought the Braves were in the wrong in 2002 because John Schuerholz went out of his way to make Glavine mad. (And succeeded.) But I think the Braves were absolutely justified this time. They’re trying to win games.
Mark Bradley
June 5th, 2009
10:42 am
I’m sorry, Grift. You’ll have to help me. What part of the contractual agreement with Glavine did the Braves not fulfill?
AdirondackDave
June 5th, 2009
10:42 am
Mark — You nailed it perfectly. Thanks.
MightyQuinn
June 5th, 2009
10:43 am
Got really mixed feelings about this one. I really wish all the ATL sports franchises respected legends more, i.e., Aaron, Niekro, Wilkins, et al, but it is still a business, and the Braves made a business move. Who was going to help the Braves more? Where is the future? The future is Hanson and he was going to waste time at Gwinnett for Glavine to victory lap around The Ted? On the other hand, I don’t think this year is the year for the Braves anyway unless they pull a Fred McGriff level trade soon, and I don’t think the Pirates deal was it. So if we’re looking at ‘10 as our year with Hudson back at full strength with Lowe and the others, would it been too terrible to give Glavine, who won the biggest game in Atlanta Braves history, his due? I’m glad I didn’t have to make that call.
David..(Athens, AL)
June 5th, 2009
10:43 am
in this day and age … Glavine is very blessed. Be thankful and go out do “more” for others … and just maybe I would feel sorry for him. It is amazing all the individuals that have lost jobs, pensions, had to take pay cuts, etc. …. those are the individuals I have compassion for … not for Glavine … be thankful Tom!!
Mine This Bird
June 5th, 2009
10:43 am
Glavine whines that this was all done for money and not about the fact that his fastball was in the upper 70s.
You know what else was about money? When he left for the New York Mess. Oh, and don’t forget 1994.
Glavine is a scumbag. I’m glad that we’ve had someone like Maddux step out with the upmost class. I can’t wait to be there when we honor him next month.
Chris
June 5th, 2009
10:44 am
That’s not the point and you know it. You used to be able to take people in this organization at their word. No more.
Let’s hope Peter Angelos becomes even more senile and hires Wren back.
Obama hates Cheney's bald head the most
June 5th, 2009
10:47 am
You are a loser MB and just trying to stir the pot with your crap $$$ articles about these 2 great pitchers. Whose your favorite pitcher now? Kawawhatever?
SHOW SOME CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!
Are your wittle feelings going to be hurt if the AJC fires you!!!!
TAW
June 5th, 2009
10:47 am
Handled poorly, and indeed the sad end to an era. It would have been nice to see Tommy have a few good outings and retire gracefully. With that said, Tommy should also realize that this is best for the team. They have young talent that is ready. Last year was a wreck because the Braves relied too much on aging pitchers that mostly broke down. Maybe Tommy could have been kept as insurance should another starter get injured, but we need to remember that Hudson hopefully will return at the end of the summer, so it would be only temporary in any case.
Clint Ellison
June 5th, 2009
10:48 am
Thanks for the truth, Mark. It needed to be said. Glavine has been a shadow of his former self for several years and is now obviously not major league material. Why can’t these athletes thank God for the talent He allowed them to use for the great careers they had? Why not graciously admit it is time to move on? Why not show some class? With all the economic misery in our country today, it is hard to feel anything but contempt for rich athletes who are wallowing in their wounded pride.
Rex Robinson
June 5th, 2009
10:48 am
Sometimes it’s not what you do, but how you do it. Professional teams screw this process up way too often. You would think PR people actually got paid for PR.
raindawg722
June 5th, 2009
10:49 am
Mark, I listed to almost the entire interview and I don’t think that on the whole Glavine sounded petty. It’s easy to pick one or two quotes from an interview that lasted more than an hour and make it appear that way in print. I noticed that you didn’t put the word “liars” in quotes. Sure, that was implied when he said he was misled by the Braves, but that’s a lot more subtle and appropriate to say than outright calling the Braves liars.
Besides, the reason given by Wren for Glavine’s release, that his velocity was down and the committee deciding that he didn’t have good enough stuff to get major league hitters out, is complete nonsense. If the decision to let Glavine go was made to put what the Braves think is a better team on the field (as Glavine said he thought it was so they could free up salary for the McLouth trade) then, for everything that Glavine did for this franchise, the Braves should have been up front about it.
NYCBrave
June 5th, 2009
10:50 am
Totally agree Mark. The Atlanta Braves Baseball Club is not a charity. It is also not a PR firm. It is a professional organization whose stated mission is to win games. The moves by Wren (who, by the way, is not without Schuerholz’s guidance in all of these decisions) were made with this in mind. Sorry … there’s no crying in baseball. Get over it folks. We’re a better team today than we were a week ago. If you can’t see that, then your emotions are getting the best of you. Thank goodness the front office doesn’t suffer from the same affliction.
John OTC
June 5th, 2009
10:51 am
I do wish the Braves would have offered him a job as a “pitching consultant or something”. This dude knows how to pitch, how to win and go out there every fifth day even if you don’t have your best stuff. He brings that to offer even if he isn’t our choice for the MLB roster anymore.
Jeff
June 5th, 2009
10:52 am
Glavine is a whiner and always has been. It has been paid countless millions over the years from the Braves payroll (and Mets too) to play a stupid game for a few months each year. As another poster noted, he bolted from the Braves and Atlanta a few years ago to go to the Mets because Atlanta didn’t pay him enough millions for his 1 or 2 appearances each week. Are you kidding me? Blah, blah, blah! I had the unfortunate task of laying off four of my employees yesterday due to corporate pressures to cut costs, and my employees got a few weeks of pay for their years of service (DAILY service EVERY MONTH of the year I might add…not just 1 or 2 appearances a week for a few months). Glavine lives in a totally different world than the rest of us. He will get no sympathy from this boy. I, for one, am gald Crybaby Glavine is gone!
Eddie
June 5th, 2009
10:52 am
MLB is a business. Both owners and players are making huge bucks. Dropping him was a business decision just as Glavine leaving for the Mets a few years ago was a business(money) decision. So quit whining Tom and enjoy your money that you made. The loyality that the Braves showed you equals what you showed them when you went on strike and left for the Mets!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dap01
June 5th, 2009
10:52 am
He got $1,000,000 for rehabbing. Shut up Glavine and Smoltz. We loved you but neither of you would be better than our number six starter. And number 6 starters in this league do not make millions!
Tomas
June 5th, 2009
10:53 am
Nice Mark. Let’s just say this, the Braves made the right choice, but didn’t handled it very well.
I agree with the people that say Glavine can no longer be able to perform at a high level. An 80mph fastball isn’t exactly eye popping. Not that he can’t be succesful with an 80mph(look at Moyer), but Glavine used to throw 86-90mph with perfect control on the outside corner(and I mean an inch of the plate, which he doesn’t get the call anymore).
Look at John Smoltz. He says the Braves made an awful offer, and that the way they bussines is pathetic. It turned out to be the right call, he’s been a paid 5 million, it’s half way through the season and he hasn’t thrown a single pitch.
He can say all he wants about the way Braves do bussines, but it’s the right call.
St. Simons Island Dawg
June 5th, 2009
10:53 am
How many of you fans upset over his release have thought of this…The Braves paid him 1,000,000 dollars for 5 months work when no other team would touch him because of the surgery. 200,000 dollars a month to rehab his shoulder is more than fair.
Realworld
June 5th, 2009
10:54 am
Hey Tom, welcome to the real world, people are being released daily from jobs they have worked at for a lot longer than you have been in baseball, that is the nature of the game. Get in the soup line with the rest of us…..
24dork
June 5th, 2009
10:54 am
You stink Bradley
Najeh Davenpoop
June 5th, 2009
10:55 am
Suck it, Glav.
NYCBrave
June 5th, 2009
10:55 am
One more thought. The suggestion that the Braves should have paid Glavine a million bucks to pitch one more start and retire gracefully is unpersuasive to me. Come on, folks. Really? Funny how enraged people get at Wall Street bonuses and corporate excess, but then they fail to give another organization credit for making a wise business decision. Leaving the performance issues aside, let’s assume it was a business decision. What is wrong with that? Another start by Glavine isn’t worth $1M. Heck, we gave him $1M already for two months of rehab work. Take the check, say thanks, and move on.
When will Glavine and Smoltz...
June 5th, 2009
10:56 am
…learn that they are over the hill and that is the reason the Braves (and Mets, for Glavine) do not want them? Smoltz got Boston to go out on a limb for him when the Braves offered him a good option, and how has that worked out for Boston? Smoltz has not thrown a pitch this year.
Both of them received gazillions of dollars from the Braves and/or Mets; and when it is time for them to step aside, what do they do but whine about being “shoved aside”. If they had showed a little class then we would not be having “this” discussion. But, both will be back to have their jersey’s retired. I will not be there to watch, however.
allenman
June 5th, 2009
10:57 am
Woe is exactly right. This is the same jerk who threw the Braves in the trash when, after telling everyone that it wasn’t about the money–it really was. he sold the team that helped him build his career out for, in the big picture, a nickel. That very episode was the last straw for me and baseball. The circle is finally round for a change, and what goes around comes around. Godd riddance. Glad it’s over.
Mark Bradley
June 5th, 2009
10:57 am
Of the Braves’ claim that the decision wasn’t financially driven, Glavine said: “Not true. It’s totally financially driven.”
Ron Roberts
June 5th, 2009
10:58 am
He got a million just to TRY and make the team, folks….that’s money he GOT, no MLB pitch-thrown. Yeah, he’s right in that it might’ve been handled better, but the Braves didn’t “owe” him a roster spot, contractually, and he HAD to have known, in the back of his mind, at least, that with Lowe, Jurjjens, Kawakami, Vasquez, Medlen and Hanson either doing well or waiting in the wings, and with a younger Tim Hudson also on the mend and due back by August/September – he HAD to know he was an odd-man out.
I ask Tom Glavine this… if you were the pitching coach or manager for these Atlanta Braves, would he have put a 43-year old fresh-off-of-surgery guy back in the rotation if you knew it would mean keeping Tommy Hanson in the minors while your team were in a pennant race? Knowing that EVERY game will matter, would you take that chance, coach Glavine?
Might not have been handled in a piece of public relations beauty, but ALL the moves the Braves made Wednesday made them a better team, and its unfortunate that releasing Glavine was one of those sound moves; but that’s the case.
Paul H
June 5th, 2009
10:58 am
I still say he should’ve gotten at least a chance. He’s owed that much. The guy wants to pitch. He wants to pitch for the Braves. Yes, he’s made millions, bla bla bla. But he worked his butt off for months to get back in shape to pitch for this team and then at the moment he became ready, he was shown the door before getting that debut. For someone who has meant so much to this organization, I still say he deserved better.
JGray
June 5th, 2009
10:58 am
Anyone who has been laid off understands the general principal around Glavine’s anger right now although most folks won’t have the $40 million dollar contract to soften the blow to their ego.
As pointed out by many others here, Glavine has a different track record with the Braves than someone like John Smoltz or Maddux. He was a visible point of contact for the strike and left for the Mets! Those are two strikes on our ability to love a player who brought success to the team.
I loved watching the guys of the 90’s play like everyone else who is a fan but I’m not interested in watching them until they are 90! It is a tough position to have to generate a youth movement when the icons do not realize that their time has passed in the spotlight.
Da Real Real
June 5th, 2009
10:58 am
All the greats eventually get released and its happened in every major sport that i can think of – let’s see Jerry Rice was basically told to retire or leave by the 49ers. Dominique got the boot when he was the Hawk team himself. Heck, recently, the Green Bay Packers told Favre to retire or leave and he ended up playing with the Jets and to this day he’s still whining like a ________.
While I think the Braves handled this poorly this eventually happen to the “legends”. They have to be sent away or they will hold the organization hostage. I can’t blame the Braves because they have appeared to be ready to move on for a while now but have been afraid to pull the trigger. All of sudden this team has grown a pair of balls and making moves. I still think a few more moves are up the organization sleeve that I’d like to see them pull off (another trade maybe).
I wouldn’t be shocked if at the end of the year more moves, like this glavine gate move, is made at the end of the year if this team is not competing for the wild card or division.
John
June 5th, 2009
10:59 am
Everything ends badly…otherwise, it wouldnt end.
This is a sad week for Braves baseball……but baseball is a business. Glavine was an employee of a business and that business just didn’t need him anymore.
Was it handled the best way possible? Of course not…..but what is ever handled the best in baseball??
In a few months when Tommy Hanson is dominating hitters we will all forget this happened.
JFKDawg
June 5th, 2009
10:59 am
They (Braves brass) gave him an out and offered to allow him to retire and he declined. His ego got in the way of that. How about Smoltz and Glavine STFU and file a union grievance in MA where it will play better. You guys were made multi-millionaires by this organization and all you can do now is cry little school girls.
Tomas
June 5th, 2009
11:00 am
It’s a shame both Smoltz, and Glavine dispise the Braves right now. It’s like they don’t want to accept they are old, and way past their prime. I hope Chipper doesn’t feel biitter when they decide not to offer him a contract.
SorryTom
June 5th, 2009
11:00 am
Unfortunately, Glavine has followed the footsteps of many great athletes: trying to play past his time. Aaron and Mays did it as well. After he broke the HR record, Aaron faced a pretty steep decline, but kept playing – mostly mediocre. Same with Mays. Fame and ego drive most athletes more than money. Tommy didn’t need the cash; he needed to be needed. MB, you’re right – there’s not much of a market for over 40 pitchers. The Big Unit and Jamie Moyer will probably hang it up after this year because they’ve either reached a milestone or have become ineffective. If they continue on, fans will be calling for their heads. If Tommy came back and stunk up the Ted in 3-4 outings with a 6.50 ERA and more walks than SO, there would be a different tone to these posts. The Braves have to start winning games and taking the chance that Glav could give them 1 good start out of 5 is crazy. As much as I loved the 90s, it’s almost a decade removed and we haven’t done much since…let’s turn our eyes to the future!
Mark Bradley
June 5th, 2009
11:01 am
And let me be clear about something: I have never held Glavine’s union activity against him. On the contrary, I applauded him for speaking on behalf on his MLB brethren when it was unpopular to do so. And I chastized those who booed him when he returned to Atlanta as a New Yorker in 2003. I like and respect Tom Glavine and have for 20 years. He is, I say again, my all-time favorite Brave.
That said, this is baseball. Nobody gets a lifetime contract. And I remember what Joe DiMaggio said when asked why he was retiring: “Because I can’t be Joe DiMaggio every day.”
Van the Man
June 5th, 2009
11:01 am
There is an enjoyment in watching great players play. I enjoyed watching Murphy, Horner & Neikro even though the teams were bad. Neikro was not done when the Braves indicated he should retire. He won a lot more games in NYC. We suffered though watching Jo-Jo this year & last. I for one would much rather see Glavine pitch than Jo-Jo.
The Real Fan
June 5th, 2009
11:02 am
Man you are nothing but a shill!
ernesto
June 5th, 2009
11:02 am
it seems to me like the Braves already took a chance on Smoltz and Glavine – last year. Tommy made a lot of money sitting on the DL, as did Smoltz. And he got a mil this year just to rehab – Tom has always had trouble realizng the difference between a real labor grievance and “the business of baseball”
Steve
June 5th, 2009
11:02 am
Spot on, MB. Another thing, I see that (predictably) Smoltz still hasn’t learned that the best way to keep his mouth from overloading his brain is to keep shut the mouth. Probably will not ever happen in his case.
Both these guys were great and we all enjoyed watching them but the time has come to move on.
N8
June 5th, 2009
11:02 am
Mark, I have to commend you on your willingness to stand up and call it like you see it. It would be easy for you to take the high road and do what seemingly everybody else around the country is doing, and jump on the “The Braves dissed Tom Glavine” bandwagon.
While I suppose this could have been handled a bit better. They could have NOT sent him to Rome (though I suppose they were hoping their scouts were wrong), but in the end, they made the right call.
All spring, I was pissed that they didn’t just bring Hanson up right away. But upon having a better understanding of the “super 2″ rule, I commend Wren for basically giving us one more “year” of Hanson at the end of his arbitration years.
I believe this was the plan all along. Which was to have Glavine “help” until they were able to get Hanson past the Super 2 status, then assess from there. If Glavine was producing, then reassess. If not, release him and call up Tommy.
Only problem was that Glavine wasn’t ready to “help” until Hanson was ready. Now Hanson’s ready, and Glavine (with the roster bonus money) was going to have to REALLY be able to produce to outpitch the younger, cheaper, more dynamic (at this point of their careers), Tommy Hanson.
Odd man out, is how I see it. It’s too bad. But I agree with many bloggers who have stated that Tommy can’t cry “business” in 2002, and now cry “loyalty”.
Which is it Tommy? (9 million dollars for 2 wins the past two seasons wasn’t enough for you?)
Chris
June 5th, 2009
11:03 am
Terry’s quote: ‘We’re kinda in the position where every win counts.’ (Perhaps paraphrased)
Yup. Sure was nice when the clubhouse was completely deflated before the 3-2 loss in extras. (Fact, not theory) I’m sure that didn’t have any effect on how we played.
Floyd
June 5th, 2009
11:03 am
Ironic….the player most apt to remind fans throughout his career that “baseball is a business” (most notably during the ‘94 strike and after his departure to Atlanta’s rival in 2002) is now the one complaining most loudly about baseball being a business.
Tomas
June 5th, 2009
11:05 am
It may have been financially motivated, but it was also in the best interest of the team. Having the best team on the field with Nate Mclouth and Tommy Hanson instead of 43 year old Tom Glavine.
It’s both financially motivated, and performance related.
tale of woe
June 5th, 2009
11:05 am
I am actually glad the braves made the tough decision to let Glavine go. If they thought he couldn’t pitch in the majors then why give him one start? It is there job to pick the best players and they didn’t think he was one of 25. It is tough to let an icon go and it is never clean. Kudos to the Braves for making a decision and going with it. I will miss him and I was looking forward to Glavine pitching last year. Times change. This isn’t 1995 or even 2005 anymore. We need to move forward as a team….
raindawg722
June 5th, 2009
11:07 am
I will not be surprised at all if Glavine joins one of the Braves rivals in the East and outpitches whoever the Braves have in the five spot for the rest of the season.
Cup of Craiggers
June 5th, 2009
11:07 am
The decision was financial AND performance-based. All of these decisions involve both elements. They go together. Glavine’s performance does not match his financial contract.
Hypothetically, if he would not have received any additional bonuses for making the roster or anything else, he probably would have made the 25-man roster. His performance would have matched his financial situation at that time. In the end, his performance was not worth the $1M plus he could have made under his current contract.
Both parties are mistaken if they say it is one or the other.
If Glavine was playing for the league minimum this year, then he would possibly still have a job.
I am right.
22oz
June 5th, 2009
11:09 am
Damn Bradley, you’ve been cranking em out the past couple days. I guess that happens when you get plenty of material!
Shocked
June 5th, 2009
11:09 am
I am in total shock and disbelief. I agree with not just one but TWO MB articles in one day. Glavine and Smoltz are disappointing me in a huge way and chipping away at the esteem I have held them.
Ken
June 5th, 2009
11:10 am
I love what Glavine has done for the Braves over the years, but I think however they did it the Braves had to make room for Tommy Hanson. When they signed Glavine, they did not expect him to dominate the way he has. I say put Chino out to pasture and give Glavine the bench coach job.
varodrunner
June 5th, 2009
11:10 am
KUDO’s to you Mark. Tell it like it is and you are spot on. Glavine sounds like the spoiled “kid” he is and has been. At first, I felt bad for Glavine but after this, he should drive not to Rome Ga, but back to New York – the city he left Atlanta for wayyyyyy back then.
Your point on a “guaranteed spot” on the roster rings loud. Who is their right mind would have offered a 43 year old coming off of shoulder surgery a guaranteed position? NO ONE and no one did. Other than Atlanta, who was knocking on his door this past off-season?
Sorry, got my blood pressure up – Good column
Jack Fate
June 5th, 2009
11:10 am
If ‘Nique can get over what the Hawks did and come back to the organization then Glavine can. If not, so be it.
DenverBrave
June 5th, 2009
11:11 am
where’s Ted Striker when we need him?
chipperjonesrules
June 5th, 2009
11:11 am
Tom, like most atheletes wants it both ways.
when they leave their home team for more money, “its just business”.
when they are old and can no longer perform at a high level and get cut, suddenly its about “loyalty”.
Dana
June 5th, 2009
11:12 am
I like you, Mark Bradley. Don’t listen to all the naysayers. As a lifelong Braves fan, I think the right move was made. As mentioned before, right now every game counts, and if we were to let Glav come back for one game and he bit it, all these people would be complaining that we kept him on. Glav’s just mad he didn’t get to go out the way HE wanted. But, that would’ve been about three years ago. I love him, but I don’t feel sorry for him.
P.S. Smoltz is dead to me.
Doodlebug
June 5th, 2009
11:13 am
I agree with you again Mark Bradley. This is starting to freak me out.
Rick
June 5th, 2009
11:14 am
How about Tom Glavine offering to refund part of his 8,000,000.00 salary to the Braves for winning just 2 games last year? What a crybaby – Grow up Tom this is the big leagues you are not trying out for a high school team. How many major league hitters do you think you are going to fool with your 75 mph fastball? Cryed and let us for the Mets, but doesn’t like it when the shoe is on the other foot. Good bye and good luck somewhere else.
Ricardo
June 5th, 2009
11:15 am
I think the while thing stinks on both sides. The Braves could have handled it better and Tom isn’t being realistic about how things work. I love the guy – never hurt, always showed up for work and never did anything to make the team or himself look bad, etc., but cmon, let’s be realistic. It’s time to hang it up. The part that bothers me the most is Smoltz fanning the flames. I know he’s always been one to say what’s on his mind, but he is starting to sound like Curt Shilling a little bit. Give it a rest, John!
Ed
June 5th, 2009
11:15 am
I agree that the situation could have been handled better. I do not agree that it was a financial decision. In the big picture, what is a million dollars to the Braves? If Tom is strapped for cash I am sure the Braves could give him a million and save the negative publicity.I have been an admirer of Tom for many years, even as a Met. But I am glad that the powers that be are making decisions based on the improvement of the team. I am hoping that the next decisions will be in the managerial and coaching area. It is time to replace outdated individuals. I know it is tough to turn your back on old familiar faces…but.
bali
June 5th, 2009
11:15 am
someone earlier wrote that you had nailed… i agree. GReat article. hate to see it end this way but thats baseball life and i believe tommy can afford the gas he had to use to drive the hour and a half to work.
Mac
June 5th, 2009
11:16 am
I understand the hurt pride of Tom Glavine. But, I also think it wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world to give him a start and then break the news to him, as a reward for putting in the rehab work and his long, Hall of Fame service. That’s what I would have done. I co-own a business and run another that’s a division of a larger corporation, so I understand bottom lines.
Mitch
June 5th, 2009
11:16 am
People have lost jobs, homes, lifestyles and Glavine has the nerve to get on the radio and complain about not getting his $1MM on top of the millions he has made. This is why professional sports has become a joke and unfortunately it’s the fans who continue to support these over grown cry babies. Glavine you need to realize that you are an old man when it comes to playing sports and not the man you once were so do us all a favor stop you’re whining and go play some golf!!
Sid
June 5th, 2009
11:17 am
Hey Tommy!It’s about performance and winning not what you do/did in the community. What did you do in NYC when you bolted for the bigger bucks?I don’t think sporting goods companies make a cap big enough for your inflated head!!!
JF McNamara
June 5th, 2009
11:18 am
The best 5 starting pitchers in the Braves system should start in Atlanta. Glavine was not one of those 5. The Braves gave him a big salary last year and 1M this year. They don’t owe him anything.
If he’s still so great, it won’t be a problem to go pitch elsewhere. Maybe the Mets will give him a gold watch contract, but it’s more likely to snow here in August than that happening.
Jim
June 5th, 2009
11:19 am
This is a sad day and a sad event, but the scenario was set in motion a long time ago. This is a story of cold – hard business and a player’s pride clashing. BTW, the business became increasingly “cold” while Tom represented the player’s interests. I can’t imagine this scenario ending well. Tom wanted to pitch. Tom could no longer pitch at the major league level, at least in the estimation of the Braves and some unbiased sources (Six shutout innings in A-ball is not evidence of anything.). Tom’s pride is hurt, but his return to the Braves would have only been a ceremonial return. He represents the past, not the future, probably not even the present. This may well be about money, but why do the Braves “owe” Tom any more money…doesn’t he have enough? If the Braves decide that that money is not well spent to have someone occupy a roster spot, well that is a business decision, which they must make. When a player wants to hang on and the team thinks otherwise, it never ends well, and this is a classic example.
Jfreak
June 5th, 2009
11:19 am
Here is thing with FANS they too want it both ways! Some are upset because some overpaid baseball player wasn’t treated fairly in their opinion, but if Tommy would have come back and been awful which he has been for a couple of years now they would begged Wren to trade or release him! Please don’t ask me to feel sorry for a millionaire! I feel sorry for that husband and father of 2 who just got called into his bosses office and told he is being laid off. Get real guys Tom Glavine will be fine and maybe he should spend a little time in the real world during his time off and remember that he made his millions off the backs of working class people that are now losing their jobs by the millions!
Big Muddy
June 5th, 2009
11:20 am
There are five Autoplants in St Louis closed, hundreds of small businesses closed this past month. Many of those thousands of unemployed workers still find time to drive many miles to pay outrageous sums for ticketsay $9 for “sometimes cold” beer, $5 for hotdogs, $15 to park and Glavine feels “slighted” for only getting $8 million last year for nothing and a million this year for nothing. What a MAN!!!!!!!!!
edward
June 5th, 2009
11:20 am
If they were trying to win games…then why is Frenchy still in the lineup EVERYDAY and Diaz isn’t? I admit they finally got it right by getting McClouth. Just wait till I laugh at the fans here in Pittsburgh over that robbery!
I just think the timing could have been better. He had three starts and then they decide to drop him? Why not have dropped him after he felt a twinge after batting at the beginning of the season? There were better times to have cut him than before now. I would have understood it then but at the time now it just stinks of money saving.
Even you have to admit that they got the timing wrong…even if it is in the best interest of the club. I wonder who’s hat he wears in Cooperstown. That should be interesting to say the least
Paddy
June 5th, 2009
11:21 am
Paul H… I agree with you. TG did bust his butt to get in shape to pitch. After he got in pitching shape he was deemed not able to help the team. It has happened like this since Christ was a carpenter. The first day you put on the uniform you know there will come a time to take it off. Players make you tear the uniform off their back before they eventually leave. It is the competitive nature of professionals. Not a really big story to me.
Jim
June 5th, 2009
11:21 am
Lead the baseball player’s union to a selfish strike, left for the Mets for a few extra bucks and now he’s whining….How could Glavine be anybody’s “favorite Brave”? Please…..good riddance
Hoosier Aaron
June 5th, 2009
11:22 am
I’m a Braves fan because as a kid I wanted to be like Hank Aaron.
However, my All-Time Favorite Brave is and will always be DALE MURPHY.
For many long-time Braves fans I do not need to get into why…they know Murph.
And I know that Glavine and Smoltz both learned a lot about being a Big League player from Murph.
Gentlemen – take a dip back into your memory bank….please.
WAAAHHH!!! WAAAAAHHHH!!!
June 5th, 2009
11:22 am
Stop crying to anybody that will listen, Tommy. For anyone that wants a closer, in-depth look at what really happened 5 years ago, I suggest you read John Feinstein’s book “Living on the Black.” It’s the book that chronicled Tom Glavine’s and Mike Mussina’s 2007 seasons and goes pretty deep into describing who Glavine really is. He’s a petty, stubborn, prima donna, well maybe not all the way to prima donna, but whatever is just one notch below that, that’s what he is. Fact facts Tom, the Braves were hoping you could come back, and your fastball couldn’t break a pane of glass right now. You’ve lost it, and why in the world would the Braves, in a crippling recession, take a one million dollar flyer on a guy that couldn’t strike out the other team’s pitcher?
Smoltz and Glavine loved to throw out the “Just One of the Guys” vibe, but in reality, they expect the Braves to bend over backwards for them because they used to be good. As Tom said when he left for the Mets, this is a business. A business decision was made (in my opinion a good business decision) and you got the short end of the stick. Who has ever been fired and felt like it was deserved? The rejection stings a bit, but hopefully he will exude the same class that make guys like Phil Niekro and Dale Murphy lifelong associates with the Braves organization.
And in closing, Frank Wren, please strike while the iron is hot and get whatever you can for the high school phenom Jeff Francouer. By being such a vocal critic against every tough decision you’ve ever made, the writing on the wall says you’re going to lose him at the end of the season anyways. His good buddy Smoltz filling his ear with poison isn’t helping your cause to resign him. He hit a game tying 2 run home run to pull out his first clutch moment in 3 years, and there’s hope that we might be able to pull the wool over the Royals eyes for a guy like DeJesus while KC’s GM is still enamored with Jeff. So pull the trigger now so you don’t have to trade him for bats and balls later in the season.
Tommy
June 5th, 2009
11:22 am
In retrospect the Braves should never have offered Glavine a contract for this season. They had plenty of arms [reyes, morton, carlyle] that could hold down the 5 spot until Hanson was ready. It was going to end badly no matter what.
What happened to Glavine isn’t what you want to see happen to one of the two greatest lefties in Braves history [along with Spahn], but part of the blame has to be laid at Glavine’s feet. He can no longer pitch at the major league level. Moving down South Atlantic League hitters is a bit different from dealing with Pujols, Wright, Utley, Howard, etc. The guys in the Braves front office scout and analyze for a living. They knew a pending disaster when they saw it, and as close as the NL is this year, two or three disasterous starts by Glavine could have cost them the wild card.
Glavine and Smoltz are doing serious harm to their legacies because of their stubborn refusals to admit they are done. How cool would it have been if they had retired last year, and we may have seen Glavine, Smoltz and Greg Maddux all go into the Hall of Fame in the same year. But it won’t happen now. What a shame.
cvbraves
June 5th, 2009
11:22 am
Agree.
PMC
June 5th, 2009
11:23 am
Once again, you put a microphone in front of a guy who just got fired…. what do you expect?
Todd
June 5th, 2009
11:23 am
No matter how much people want to explain this away, the bottom line is that you now have 2 iconic Braves players bashing the Braves organization. Whether it’s justified or not, it’s bad for the organization, can’t be good for drawing in potential free agents, and it’s one of the reasons people have a hard time becoming attached to this team. It’s sad the management of the Braves is too arrogant to realize that.
ATL Sports
June 5th, 2009
11:23 am
For what the Braves received from Glavine in 2008 for $8M, he should have paid the Braves to pitch in 2009.
SEC1
June 5th, 2009
11:23 am
Tommy:
Get over it!
You bolted from Atlanta for a few more bucks. Now the shoe is on the other foot. I have absolutely no sympathy for you…
C-ya
Phil McCrotch
June 5th, 2009
11:23 am
Boo frickin hoo! Go home and cry in your pillow Glavine. I’d like to buy you for what you’re worth and sell you for what you think you’re worth. Jerk!
Dan
June 5th, 2009
11:23 am
I was at Tom’s rehab game in Rome and sitting right behind the dugout. You couln’t even hear the pop of the catchers glove. Yes, Tom only gave up three hits but he was lucky . He gave up alot of hard hit balls including four or five that would have been out of the park if they were fair and this was off 18-20 year old batters. What would the Brewers done to him this weekend? Stick a fork in him , Tom is done!!!! After hear him wine in his interview today I lost all respect for him.
08fx4
June 5th, 2009
11:24 am
The Braves suck ….get used to it. With this type of management the Thrashers will do better than the Braves.
rhynster
June 5th, 2009
11:24 am
I hope Glavine eventually can let the resentment go.
And to be fair, any of us would probably be angry if we were in his position, too. It’s not easy for any of us to admit we aren’t like we used to be.
That being said, it would be a VERY GOOD idea for the Braves to reach out to him once he does officially retire and offer him a coaching position.
I’d expect he’ll wind up being a pitching coach given how much other pitchers have credited him for his help.
MatthewH
June 5th, 2009
11:24 am
Tom Glavine is probably one of my favorite Braves. I have an autographed 1995 WS baseball as well as an autographed copy of his autobiography (which sadly is titled “None but the Braves”). That being said, I think the Braves made the smart move. A lot of comments on here suggest that the Braves should have done something different. I haven’t read specifically WHAT they should have done. It is a lot of emotional comments yelling at the Braves. Would you want him out there struggling not giving the Braves a chance to win? Did you want him to retire as a Brave? As someone already mentioned, the Braves gave him that chance. He retires as a Brave, we honor him and everybody gets to feel warm and fuzzy. He blew that by asking to be released.
I didn’t used to think so when I was growing up in Atlanta, but baseball is indeed a business. Sadly, I learned that last year when the local Richmond Braves left town. Still hurts. Good blog MB.
Bat Boy 1
June 5th, 2009
11:24 am
Major league power hitters and weak frail pitchers just does’nt add up. Besides, every Braves fan knows that it’s offense that this team needs right now to stay in the hunt. The pitching rotation is pretty much spoking for. So there’s no hard feelings Glavine, but you got to get the hell out of here!!!!!!!! CHOP ON BRAVES!!!!
Bill King
June 5th, 2009
11:25 am
This just goes to prove money does not buy CLASS. Greg Maddux is a Class Act. .
puppydawg
June 5th, 2009
11:25 am
Mac, did I understand you correctly? You would have paid the million bucks to put him on the 25-man roster, then release him after 1 start? That’s what the Braves would have had to do. And you own a business? How’s that working out for you?
PMC
June 5th, 2009
11:25 am
They are liars and cheapskates. That’s business.
Kendawg
June 5th, 2009
11:26 am
I thought the mistake the Braves made was in bringing Glavine back in the first place. He wasn’t worth 8 million (not even close). What did he win, 2 games. He didn’t show any loyalty to the Braves when he left for New York, so why do the Braves owe him loyalty now? And to think he got 1 million for rehabbing. That’s ridiculous. And about Smoltz- he got 5 million from the Red Sox and he can’t even pitch. Two months have already gone by and he’s on the DL. The Braves were right on this one also. My advice to Glavine and Smoltz- realize the Braves made you rich and show some class.
GeezusDawg
June 5th, 2009
11:26 am
Tom Glavine was an excellent pitcher for Atlanta for a lot of years, but make no mistake, it was not a charitable effort – he was paid many millions of dollars for his efforts. His view that the organization owes him something other than the 100’s of millions they already paid him is absurd. Yes, he HELPED bring Atlanta’s only world championship to town (I do believe there were some other players that contributed that year too) and he made more that year than I have made in my lifetime (so far). Baseball (as is the case with ALL pro sports) is a business – pitch lights-out at 43 and get millions.
varodrunner
June 5th, 2009
11:26 am
Just read MIKE MORRIS’s column and after hearing more of what Glavine said…. What a premodona! I think tom should shut his mouth. He has a wonderful legacy but could be setting himself up to irrepairably damage it.
Tom Glavine is 43 and is not what he used to be. I’d rather give Hanson his chance now.
Your feelings are hurt Tommy, but be an adult about it. Go to another team, if anyone will sign you. Consider this, at least the Braves gave you a chance to showcase what you have left inthe tank. You might gett a job with another team because of that. No one else offered you that opportunity. AND please remember that YOU made a FINANCIAL decision when you left Atlanta to go to New York. We were hurt and disgusted too, but we welcomed you back.
NOW grow the F* up.
The Real Gumby
June 5th, 2009
11:27 am
He’s just a ballplayer. Let him have his say and let him fall into obscurity. This Braves organization is not the one he grew up in. This is no more the same Braves organization than Bank of America is C&S Bank. Old times not forgotten . . . look away Tommy G.
Glavine and Smoltz could throw a ball better than most adult males in the population. Great, throw the ball. I don’t look for anything more from either of them. No philosophers there from what I can tell. Not likely to cure cancer or even save the life of a little animal. Just ballplayers. Rich, spoiled ballplayers. Deeper thoughts in middle school. Please let them fade into obscurity. Tommy G is no longer news. Smoltz soon to follow.
Dr.R
June 5th, 2009
11:28 am
Tommy, you’re right. The team’s only real mistake was trying to squeeze another year out of a 43-year-old damaged arm. Had they parted ways over the winter and given Glav a chance elsewhere (doubtful anyone would take him, then or now), it would have been a little smoother. Then he could retire as a Brave and all would be well. But they gave him what he wanted, which was a chance to go out pitching instead of hurt. They just couldn’t put him on the mound in the middle of a pennant race (which is fading away by the day) and hope for the best when they knew better. Yet he and Smoltz still take their shots. But like Mark says, all athletes do that and then realize years later that the team was right. Sometimes they wind up in a front office or coaching job and have to make those calls themselves. There’s a certain level of arrogance necessary to compete at the big league level, and it takes a few years for that to fade away once they stop playing. Tommy and Smoltzie will get over it soon enough. Meanwhile, I’m betting Smoltz doesn’t throw another pitch, either. Last I saw the Red Sox weren’t in a big hurry to put him on the mound. They’re both done, and the sooner they realize that, the easier life will be for them.
Mark Bradley
June 5th, 2009
11:29 am
I’m also not one who begrudges athletes the money they make. This is America. You’re worth whatever someone is willing to pay you.
SAVE A BUCK
June 5th, 2009
11:30 am
This is the problem with the hyper-conservative south is how extremely pro-management it is while being openly hostile it is towards employees – even in instances where employees do everything it takes to help a team or organization, including a lifetime of dedication. Management in the south is short-sighted – will do ANYTHING to save a buck rather than be decent/respectful towards employees or players – even in cases of hall of fame players. For instance, how about offering Glavine a position within the organization – to respect him and exploit his knowledge? And forget about celebrating those who gave it all to help the organization or team… i.e, erecting statues, plaques or something to remind fans of past special players (like those heathen northerners do – see the myriad of Yankees and Red Sox plaques, memorials, statues, etc).
It’s typical of the reactionary south… much like it treats its historic buildings, the south prefers to discard, discredit and forget its past rather than celebrate and memorialize it.
When the south gets a soul, it’ll realize it’s OK to treat employees and labor with respect; that it’s decent to maintain old buildings because of their historic value (rather than rip them down because of the value of the land (CHA CHING)); and recognize those employees who helped – not hindered – management to be profitable.
ItsBigR
June 5th, 2009
11:31 am
Mark – how would you have handle this situation? Being your favorite player don’t you think they could have come to some agreement rather than just release him. Shouldn’t the Braves try to make a hard decision better or more understanding for the fans. The fact we are talking about this is negative for the organization. Also, what has Bobby Cox said to you about this, your a reporter – you had to ask?